Mississippi State stuns No. 12 Arizona State with last‑second touchdown, wins 24-20

MISSISSIPPI STATE, Miss. — Mississippi State capped a dramatic comeback with a last‑second touchdown to beat No. 12 Arizona State 24‑20 on Saturday night, handing the Sun Devils their first loss of the season and delivering the Bulldogs a landmark nonconference victory.

With about 40 seconds remaining, Mississippi State quarterback Blake Shapen engineered a decisive drive that culminated in a deep pass to Brenen Thompson. Thompson broke inside of a Sun Devils defender, hauled in the throw and raced to the end zone to give the Bulldogs the lead, which held until the final whistle.

Shapen finished 19 of 33 for 279 yards and three touchdown passes. Thompson recorded six receptions for 133 yards and two scores, while teammate Anthony Evans III added nine catches for 108 yards and a touchdown. The scoring play proved decisive in a game defined by big offensive plays.

"What an atmosphere, what an evening. That is Davis Wade Stadium at its finest," Mississippi State coach Jeff Lebby said after the game at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field in Starkville. "The funnest thing about it for our guys, everything we’ve been through in the program, to see our university show up the way that we showed up is special."

Mississippi State supporters surged onto the field to celebrate after the final play, marking the program’s first victory over a top‑15 nonconference opponent since 1991. Quarterback Blake Shapen reflected on the moment and the team’s mindset down the stretch.

"We emphasized going out and playing the next play," Shapen said. "These are moments that I live for. This shows a lot about our team. The emotions are very high right now and I’m very blessed to be in this position."

Arizona State relied on a productive ground game, as running backs Raleek Brown and Kanye Udoh combined for 215 rushing yards. Brown rushed 18 times for 110 yards, and Udoh totaled 105 on 23 carries and scored Arizona State’s lone rushing touchdown. Despite that balance, Sun Devils coach Kenny Dillingham said Mississippi State’s explosive plays ultimately decided the outcome.

"The big plays were the story of the game," Dillingham said. "That’s a good football team and they’re explosive. They made an explosive play. We had to take away their explosives in the second half and we did it until the end there."

The game featured momentum swings as both teams traded scores earlier, but Mississippi State’s late‑game execution and ability to strike quickly through the air proved decisive. The Bulldogs’ victory not only snapped Arizona State’s unbeaten start but also served as a signature nonconference win for a program seeking momentum early in the season.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.