STARKVILLE – Mississippi State pulled off a remarkable win at home against No. 12 Arizona State on Saturday under the lights at Davis Wade Stadium. A last-minute touchdown pass and game-sealing interception saw the Bulldogs win 24-20 in an instant classic.

The Sun Devils were dead in the water for the first 29 minutes of the game, but more than 200 yards of total offense in the second half and a bruising rushing attack saw them take control of the game. It took a remarkable turnaround in the final minute to steal what seemed to be a surefire defeat after a woeful second half, but head coach Jeff Lebby’s senior leaders Blake Shapen and Brenen Thompson made it happen.

The Bulldogs scored on their opening drive for the second game in a row, with Blake Shapen finding Anthony Evans for a 48-yard catch and run score.

The Bulldogs hit on a field goal before the end of the opening quarter and then struck from distance again to Brenen Thompson on a deep shot in the second quarter to take a 17-0 lead.

Apart from the final minute of the first half, Arizona State’s offense looked lost, especially in the passing game. Quarterback Sam Leavitt finished the half just 5-15 with 30 yards and an interception. Despite the sluggish start, the Sun Devil defense managed to get some quick stops and keep the game from getting out of hand.

ASU was handed a pair of gifts in the final minute of the first half. The first gift, a shanked punt to set them up at their own 33. The second, an unnecessary roughness penalty on MSU to set them up inside field goal range to get on the board before halftime.

The Sun Devils followed up on the newfound momentum with a quick 75-yard drive out of the break, capped by a touchdown run from Kanye Udoh to cut the deficit to seven. It was a drive in line with ASU’s identity, featuring eight runs on eight plays to go right through the heart of the MSU defense.

After a three-and-out, MSU drove to midfield and looked to be driving. A false start backed them up from a 3rd and 1 at midfield, and then Lebby made the call to go for it on 4th and 6. Shapen’s pass fell incomplete and the Sun Devils took full advantage.

ASU drove again late in the third and into the fourth quarter, coming up against a formidable student section but finding a way into the end zone to tie the game at 17.

The MSU offense needed to respond after a woeful third quarter, and again drove to midfield before a missed deep shot and two plays going nowhere saw the drive stall out. This time, Lebby punted, pinning ASU back at their own 4, but the Sun Devils quickly ran their way out of trouble and back down the field to take the lead with a field goal, killing most of the fourth quarter clock in the process.

MSU took over with 1:33 left on the clock and picked up a couple of quick first downs. Evans dropped the ball while wide open at midfield with room to run on a pass that was just a bit high from Shapen.

But the next pass from the quarterback was spot on, finding Brenen Thompson for a 58-yard catch and run in a remarkable turnaround.

Hunter Washington put the game beyond doubt with an interception on ASU’s following drive, and the party began in Starkville.