“A game that you're up three-zero in the turnover battle should not come down to a game-winning kick,” Dillingham said on ASU outgaining Baylor in turnovers, yards (400), and time of possession (36 minutes). 

The Sun Devils forced two fumbles, including one on the game’s opening drive by redshirt senior defensive back Kyndrich Breedlove after a 19-yard reception by Baylor senior wide receiver Josh Cameron. 

Junior defensive back Keith Abney II added to the turnover total by intercepting senior quarterback Sawyer Robertson in the third quarter. 

“Defensively, we knew the challenge we were gonna have,” Abney said on the defense’s approach toward the Big 12 leading passer. “We accepted that challenge knowing we can shut people down.” 

Abney said the goal each week is to record at least three turnovers, as they’ve worked on attacking the football in practice.

“Practice how you play,” Abney said. “We preach that.” 

Despite the road crowd, Abney said the ASU fans who made the trip energized the defense, especially on the interception that led to him jumping into the stands in celebration. 

“It was great, the guys seeing the fans,” Abney said. 

All three turnovers gave the Sun Devils possession in Bears’ territory, with the Robertson interception coming at the 37-yard line; however, they came away with nine points off those turnovers. 

“This should not be this close of the game,” Dillingham said to himself before Gomez hit the field goal. “We won too many of the critical situations.” 

On offense, ASU and redshirt sophomore quarterback Sam Leavitt started each turnover drive in plus territory with the sole exception of the first fumble, which placed the ball at the Sun Devils’ 42-yard line. 

Facing multiple opportune field possessions, ASU failed to convert in the red zone on all three drives, resulting in three Gomez field goals. The Sun Devils finished the day 5-for-6 in the red zone, yet scored just two touchdowns. 

“It's just too many mistakes,” Dillingham said on the team’s offensive struggles. “We get down there, and we bust a play.” 

Despite recording 400 total yards, Dillingham said he felt the offense didn’t play well.

“It's a good problem when you have 400 yards, and you still don't play well,” Dillingham said. 

Entering the third quarter, ASU had just 156 total yards and needed an explosive play. The Sun Devils did sustain a 10-play 66-yard drive, yet they turned the ball over on downs after a failed fourth-and-1 conversion on a run by junior running back Kanye Udoh.  

Trailing 17-16 in the fourth quarter and inside six minutes, ASU faced a third-and-13 from its own 13-yard line with its back to the wall.  

The Sun Devils hadn’t eclipsed a pass play over 20 yards, as Leavitt and go-to-target redshirt junior wide receiver Jordyn Tyson had connected for just 21 yards, until Leavitt found redshirt sophomore wide receiver and walk-on Derek Eusebio wide open down the field for a 61-yard catch and run. 

“[I] just took the middle of the field and Sam found me,” Eusebio said of his game-changing catch.

Dillingham said he’ll work on further including Eusebio in packages, as he’s too productive not to see the field. 

“He was productive,” Dillingham said. “People who are productive need to play.”

One thing led to another, as momentum carried from Eusebio’s catch, and ASU finally broke through in the red zone on a 19-yard touchdown pass to Tyson that gave the Sun Devils a 24-17 lead. 

Despite tallying seven receptions for 43 yards, Tyson said he appreciated his teammates picking up the slack. 

“We preach that effort wins,” Tyson said. “We don't give up. We got a team of competitors.” 

Unlike the first three weeks, Tyson had competition for targets. Leavitt connected with seven Sun Devils, including six catches for 55 yards from redshirt senior tight end Chamon Metayer. 

“Chamon is one of those guys who's stepping up,” Dillingham said of his tight end’s big performance. “We're getting more people involved.” 

Dillingham said he felt progress had been made with distributing offensive targets, yet viewed Saturday’s victory as black and white: A win is a win. 

“Find ways to win in this league,” Dillingham said. “You've got to find ways to win, and we'll never win like that again.”