Arizona State true freshmen quarterback Jake Fette and running back Cardae Mack led a spirited comeback attempt in a 27-20 loss against No. 8 BYU on Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026, in Provo, Utah. Despite a strong defensive effort from the Sun Devils, a decisive 95-yard touchdown drive by the Cougars late in the fourth quarter secured the victory for the No. 8 ranked team.
Freshman Duo Makes History
The Sun Devils made history on Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026, by starting a true freshman at both the quarterback and running back positions for the first time in program history. Jake Fette, making his first career start, rallied Arizona State from a 17-3 halftime deficit to bring the Sun Devils within a single touchdown by the third quarter.
Fette Leads Comeback Effort
Fette finished his debut performance completing 22-of-42 passes for 166 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions. His first career touchdown pass came on a 20-yard back-shoulder fade to Omarion Miller during the third quarter. The Sun Devils later added a one-yard touchdown pass from Fette to Anthony Miller to tie the game at 17-17 late in the third quarter, following a drive that included two fourth-down conversions and a scramble by Fette.
Mack's Rushing Milestone
Running back Cardae Mack also provided a significant offensive spark, recording his third 100-yard rushing game of the season. Mack finished with 123 rushing yards on 23 carries and added 47 yards on five receptions. He is the first true freshman running back to record three 100-yard rushing games since Deantre Lewis in 2010, according to Arizona State postgame notes.
Cougars Secure Decisive Lead
The BYU Cougars secured the win thanks to a critical fourth-down conversion on their own 14-yard line with just over five minutes remaining in the game while leading 20-17. This set up a 95-yard touchdown drive that resulted in a score with 2:09 left, extending the lead to two scores. While Arizona State managed a 44-yard field goal with 57 seconds remaining, they were unable to recover the subsequent onside kick, allowing BYU to run out the clock.
Sun Devil Defense Limits BYU
Arizona State's defense delivered a notable performance, holding the No. 8 BYU Cougars to 283 total offensive yards and a season-low 47 rushing yards. This marked the first time this season that BYU was held to under 100 rushing yards. Senior linebacker Owen Long led the defensive effort with 10 tackles, a forced fumble, and a pass breakup, marking his fifth double-digit tackle game of the season.
Defensive Stand in Provo
The defensive performance from the Sun Devils included two BYU turnovers, specifically an interception and a forced fumble. Montana Warren recorded his first career interception and an additional pass breakup, while Martell Hughes contributed eight tackles and a pass breakup. Long's performance brings his career total to 270 tackles, placing him among the top 25 active Division I players.
Looking Ahead for ASU
The loss leaves Arizona State with a 4-4 record and a 2-3 record in Big 12 play. The Sun Devils will next host Colorado on Saturday, Nov. 7, at 5:30 p.m. MST at Mountain America Stadium as they continue a nine-game stretch to close the regular season.
