Arizona State University students are well-known for their partying abilities. But the celebration began a little earlier than it should during a hotly contested football game against BYU.
The 21st-ranked Sun Devils of ASU were leading 14th-ranked BYU 28-23 late in the game when they ran a play to try and take the game clock down to zero.
But quarterback Sam Leavitt’s incomplete pass hit the ground with a second left on the clock.
The fans didn’t recognize this and the students piled onto the field as the officials went over to the monitor to check how much time was left.
As thousands poured onto the field, Arizona State head coach Kenny Dillingham was told by referees that a second remained on the clock and he lost his mind – as cameras captured him screaming at officials.
But even with an announcement saying that there was still time left in the game, the students needed a lot of convincing to make their way back into the stands.
School officials began taking the goal posts down to avoid anyone possibly tearing them down forcefully.
Even players on Arizona State’s team felt the need to try and help guide students off the field and back into the stands.
After a lengthy delay, order was eventually restored and the teams took the field for one final play.
With the game on the line, BYU quarterback Jake Retzlaff heaved a pass down the field where it was caught by wide receiver Chase Roberts two yards short of the end zone.
Fans came racing back out onto the field to celebrate their upset victory over BYU – which vaulted them to the top of the Big XII Conference standings.
The Sun Devils (9-2) could stand to earn the Big XII’s bid to the College Football Playoff if they win the Big XII Championship game.
To make that, they’ll need to beat rivals Arizona on the road to clinch a spot in the game. It’s possible that they play BYU again – otherwise they will likely face Deion Sanders’ Colorado Buffaloes.
