Fette leads Sun Devils over Buffaloes

Jake Fette became the first Arizona State quarterback in three decades to throw and catch a touchdown pass in a single contest during a 20-10 victory over Colorado on Saturday night. The Sun Devils (5-4, 3-3 Big 12) entered the game following a 27-20 loss at No. 7 BYU. Their defense secured the win after the offense struggled for much of the second half.

Fette, making his first home start, connected with Reed Harris on a 34-yard pass for one of the touchdowns. He also caught a one-yard scoring pass from his own quarterback. This performance made him the first ASU signal caller since Jake Plummer in 1996 to accomplish both feats in the same game. The 1996 team was honored on the same evening. Fette finished with 187 passing yards on 13 of 19 attempts.

Coach Kenny Dillingham credited the first-half performance for establishing control. “I told the guys: the first half was us having all three phases in line,” Dillingham said. “That’s the first time we’ve played good football in all three phases for a half.” The Sun Devils opened the scoring with a 31-yard field goal by Carson Smith. They extended their lead with a fourth-and-goal play where running back Cardae Mack faked a run and passed to Fette in the end zone.

Colorado (3-6, 1-5) managed only 103 total yards in the first half. The Buffaloes did not record a first down until the seven-minute mark of the second quarter. Their one major offensive play, a 74-yard touchdown pass from Isaac Wilson to Ernest Campbell, was nullified by an illegal man downfield penalty. Wilson was later sacked for a 24-yard loss on fourth down.

The Buffaloes mounted a late rally, cutting the deficit to 20-10. This sequence followed a penalty against Arizona State for running into the kicker. Wilson then completed a seven-yard touchdown pass to Joseph Williams. Colorado's final drive ended with a failed fourth-and-15 attempt near midfield with 2:43 remaining on the clock.

Field position proved decisive for the Sun Devils. Punter Nick McLarty pinned the ball deep twice, with gunner Daquwan Dunn returning both kicks inside the Colorado five-yard line. Dillingham noted that field position was a huge part of the game. “I feel like the field position was a huge part of the game with us having them backed up,” he said.

Colorado coach Deion Sanders acknowledged the late effort but noted the team needed to sustain it. “Didn't see quit, didn't see anybody being lethargic,” Sanders said. “But it was way too late.” The Buffaloes will host No. 17 Houston next Saturday, while Arizona State travels to play UCF.