Jake Fette Makes History as Arizona State Defeats Colorado 20-10

Jake Fette Makes History in Sun Devils Win Over Colorado

Jake Fette etched his name into Arizona State football history on Saturday night, becoming the first Sun Devils quarterback in 30 years to both throw and catch a touchdown pass in the same game.

The freshman’s performance helped Arizona State secure a 20-10 victory over Colorado in Tempe, stabilizing the team after a frustrating loss to BYU last week.

The milestone arrived during a night of nostalgia, as the university honored the 1996 football team. Fette, making his first home start, matched the feat last accomplished by Jake Plummer during that same 1996 season. According to reporting from the Associated Press, as carried by sports.yahoo.com, Fette finished the evening with 187 yards on 13-of-19 passing, guiding the offense through a decisive first half.

Arizona State raced out to a 17-0 lead before the break, fueled by a creative play call on fourth-and-goal from the 1-yard line. Running back Cardae Mack took a direct snap, faked a handoff, and lobbed a pass to Fette for the opening score. Fette later connected with Reed Harris for a 34-yard touchdown strike, showcasing the versatility that defined the Sun Devils’ early momentum.

POSTGAME: Jake Fette Looks Like A STAR In Arizona State's Win Over Colorado

A Tale of Two Halves

While the first half belonged to Arizona State, the second half presented a different reality. The Sun Devils’ offense stalled, leaving the defense to hold the line against a surging Colorado squad.

Arizona State coach Kenny Dillingham acknowledged the inconsistency, telling reporters, “I told the guys: the first half was us having all three phases in line. 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.”

Colorado struggled to find any rhythm early on, failing to secure a first down until the seven-minute mark of the second quarter. The Buffaloes’ best chance at a big play—a 74-yard touchdown pass from Isaac Wilson to Ernest Campbell—was negated by an illegal man downfield penalty.

Despite a late rally sparked by a field goal and a 7-yard touchdown pass from Wilson to Joseph Williams, Colorado’s comeback attempt ended with a failed fourth-and-15 conversion with 2:43 remaining.

Jake Fette didn't flinch in his first home start, leading Arizona State to a 20-10 win over Colorado. Our @adamkuninsports has more on the Sun Devils' freshman signal-caller:https://t.co/eu1qmsVqbi

— Post by @InfernoIntel on X

Colorado coach Deion Sanders expressed frustration with his team’s slow start, noting, “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. I wish we had started off like that instead of end up like that.” The loss halts the momentum Colorado seemed to build during their previous victory over Kansas State.

Arizona State Improves Record Through Field Position and Leadership

For Arizona State, the win brings their record to 5-4 overall and 3-3 in Big 12 play. Dillingham highlighted the importance of field position, crediting punter Nick McLarty and gunner Daquwan Dunn for pinning Colorado deep inside their own 5-yard line on multiple occasions. These tactical advantages proved essential as the offense labored to maintain its initial pace.

Jake Fette Makes History as Arizona State Defeats Colorado 20-10 — Photo: sports.yahoo.com

As Fette continues to grow into his role as a starter, he emphasized the necessity of vocal leadership on the field. “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 road ahead remains challenging for both programs. Colorado is set to host No. 17 Houston next Saturday, hoping to rectify the lapses that cost them in the desert. Meanwhile, Arizona State will travel to face UCF, looking to build upon the flashes of dominance they displayed in their first half against the Buffaloes.