Jake Fette became the first Arizona State signal-caller in three decades to both throw and catch a touchdown during the same contest, propelling the Sun Devils past Colorado 20-10 on Saturday evening.
Coming off a 27-20 loss at No. 7 BYU, the Sun Devils raced out to a 17-0 halftime lead against the flailing Buffaloes in Tempe, Arizona. Arizona State’s offense labored through most of the second half, but the defense held firm to secure the victory, moving the team to 5-4 overall and 3-3 in the Big 12.
“I told the guys: the first half was us having all three phases in line,” Arizona State coach Kenny Dillingham said. “That’s the first time we’ve played good football in all three phases for a half. Let’s finish the game and play it for a whole game.”
Making his first home start, Fette threw a 34-yard touchdown pass to Reed Harris and caught a 1-yard touchdown pass. That feat made him the first Arizona State quarterback since Jake Plummer in 1996 to accomplish both in the same game—occurring on the same night the 1996 team was honored.
During his second career start, the rookie quarterback directed the ASU attack effectively, completing 13 of 19 passes for 187 yards.
“As a starting quarterback, you can’t stand back there and be quiet and just lead the offensive unit,” Fette said. “I’ve been trying to build on that.”
The Buffaloes dropped to 3-6 overall and 1-5 in conference play after a lackluster first half where they managed just 103 total yards, with 62 of those coming in the final 45 seconds before intermission. Colorado did not notch a first down until the seven-minute mark of the second quarter, a drive that ended when Isaac Wilson took a 24-yard sack on fourth-and-6 from Arizona State’s 34-yard line.
Colorado came to life after the break, shutting down Arizona State while finding an offensive rhythm. The Buffaloes cut Arizona State’s lead to 20-10 on a field goal and Wilson’s 7-yard touchdown pass to Joseph Williams, which followed an ASU penalty for running into the kicker on a field-goal attempt.
Colorado’s comeback hopes ultimately ended with a failed fourth-and-15 near midfield with 2:43 left on the clock.
“Didn’t see quit, didn’t see anybody being lethargic, didn’t see them giving up by any means, but it was way too late,” Colorado coach Deion Sanders said. “I wish we had started off like that instead of end up like that.”
