Did Arizona State Sun Devils' Late Surge Against Houston Cougars Come Too Late?

First Quarter

The Arizona State Sun Devils faced off against the Houston Cougars at Mountain America Stadium, with both teams entering the game with strong records. The Cougars, boasting a 7-1 record, quickly established their dominance in the first quarter by scoring 10 points while keeping the Sun Devils scoreless. The home team struggled to find their rhythm early on, as they were unable to capitalize on key opportunities.

Second Quarter

The second quarter saw a defensive battle unfold as neither team managed to add any points to their tally. The Sun Devils' defense, led by standout performances from players like Jordan Crook and Keyshaun Elliott, who combined for 24 tackles and assists between them, held firm against the Coogs' offensive advances. Despite this defensive resilience, Arizona State's offense continued to face challenges in breaking through Houston's defense.

Third Quarter

As play resumed after halftime, the third quarter proved pivotal for Houston as they extended their lead with two touchdowns. This surge put them ahead significantly at 24-0. Sam Leavitt of ASU attempted to rally his team with a passing game that accumulated over 270 yards and one touchdown throughout the match but faced immense pressure from an aggressive Cougar defense that sacked him three times.

Fourth Quarter

In an impressive display of determination during the final quarter, ASU mounted a comeback attempt by scoring all of their 16 points in this period alone. Jeff Sims contributed significantly with his passing prowess resulting in one touchdown pass and completing six out of eleven attempts for 58 yards overall. However, despite these efforts and Malik McClain’s notable receiving performance totaling 159 yards across seven receptions without reaching endzone glory himself – it was not enough to overcome earlier setbacks or secure victory over visiting opponents who ultimately triumphed at full-time whistle (24-16).

Arizona State fans can look forward eagerly towards next week's clash when they travel away once more; taking place November first against Iowa State Cyclones scheduled kick-off time being set precisely one o'clock Eastern Daylight Time located within Jack Trice Stadium situated Ames city limits where supporters may tune into live broadcasts available via local sports networks covering event coverage extensively nationwide! Share your thoughts about what went wrong for Arizona State Sun Devils or discuss key moments from recent encounter using hashtag #SunDevilsAnalysis online today!