Baylor's Late Rally Fails as Arizona State Wins on Walk-Off Kick

A Thrilling Comeback and a Last-Minute Victory

Baylor had the upper hand for most of the game, but Arizona State pulled off an incredible last-second 43-yard field goal to secure a 27-24 win at McLane Stadium. The dramatic finish left the crowd in shock and marked a tough loss for the Bears.

Sawyer Robertson led the way for Baylor, throwing for 250 yards and three touchdowns. Tight end Michael Trigg scored twice, and running back Bryson Washington reached 100 rushing yards for the third consecutive game. Despite these strong performances, the Bears struggled with turnovers, which ultimately cost them the game.

The Sun Devils capitalized on Baylor’s mistakes, scoring nine points from three short field goals by kicker Jesús Gómez-Juárez. This was a significant moment for Gómez-Juárez, who later became part of the game's history with his clutch performance.

Head coach Dave Aranda expressed his disappointment with the team's execution, pointing out the turnovers, penalties, and missed opportunities. “Whether it’s the turnovers on offense or the penalties on defense, the busted plays on big third downs… it’s just inopportune times shooting yourself in the foot,” he said.

Game Highlights and Key Moments

Baylor started the game strong, moving 33 yards on their first three completions. However, they turned the ball over at the ASU 42, leading to a 31-yard field goal by Gómez-Juárez, giving Arizona State an early 3-0 lead.

The Bears responded with a 52-yard drive, capped by a career-long 53-yard kick from Connor Hawkins. But their momentum stalled when they failed on a fourth-down attempt inside the ASU 30. Arizona State then took advantage with an 83-yard drive, ending with a one-yard sneak by Sam Leavitt for a 10-3 lead.

Robertson found Kole Wilson for an 8-yard touchdown just before halftime, making the score 10-10 at the break. Arizona State extended its lead with two more field goals, entering the fourth quarter up 16-10.

Baylor finally took the lead with a touchdown pass from Robertson to Trigg, putting them ahead 17-16. But Arizona State quickly responded with a 19-yard touchdown and a successful two-point conversion, taking a 24-17 lead with 5:29 remaining.

A Dramatic Finish

With less than two minutes left, Robertson led a 64-yard drive, culminating in Trigg's 33-yard run to tie the game at 24-24. The stadium erupted as if the Bears had secured the victory.

However, Arizona State wasn’t done. Starting from their own 25, the Sun Devils moved down the field, converting a third-and-4 with a short pass. A personal foul by Baylor pushed the ball into striking distance, and the clock continued to tick down.

Gómez-Juárez, already perfect on three field goals, stepped onto the field for what would be the biggest kick of his career. He remained calm, as if nothing were happening, before kicking the ball cleanly through the uprights. The final score read 27-24, sealing Arizona State's victory.

For Gómez-Juárez, the moment was pure relief and celebration. “It’s awesome,” he said. “I don’t think I watched it go through the uprights because I knew it was in. So, I just turned and started celebrating.”

Final Stats and Outlook

Baylor finished with 357 total yards—250 passing and 107 rushing. Washington recorded his ninth career 100-yard game, and Robertson completed 25 of 39 passes. However, the three turnovers and late penalty overshadowed these achievements.

Arizona State countered with 400 yards of its own, including 179 rushing, and showed the poise to capitalize when Baylor made mistakes.

Baylor will now face Oklahoma State next Saturday in Stillwater, with a 2:30 p.m. kickoff on ESPN2.