“It's incredible that our team continues to get it done in the big moments, and a testament to the character of the guys we have on our team,” Dillingham said

Big moments have been commonplace for ASU (4-1, 2-0 Big 12) throughout Dillingham's tenure as coach of the Sun Devils.

Friday night was no exception, as ASU completed the largest comeback against a ranked opponent in school history, defeating No. 24 Texas Christian (3-1, 0-1 Big12) 27-24 in a thriller. 

“The guys find ways,” Dillingham said. “It's amazing.”

With six minutes and 24 seconds left in the second quarter, the Sun Devils trailed the Horned Frogs by 17 with little going right offensively, then star redshirt junior wide receiver Jordyn Tyson happened. 

“Just let zero go to work,” redshirt sophomore quarterback Sam Leavitt said. 

Tyson had a night for the ages, catching eight passes for 126 yards and two touchdowns, including a game-tying touchdown on fourth down with just under two minutes left in the game.

“It's a testament to my team,” Tyson said. “I can’t do it without them.”

Tyson's 57-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter marked 2,000 career yards for the young wideout and brought him closer to the ASU record for receiving touchdowns in a season. 

Despite Tyson's success on the night, it was a rough night yet again for the Sun Devils offense in the red zone. 

“We got a lot of red zone trips,” Leavitt said. “We’ve got to come up with some points.”

The ASU quarterback placed some of the blame on himself, explaining that he needs to improve in certain scenarios. 

“I have to understand window throws more in the red zone,” Leavitt said.

Leavitt, however, has faith that ASU’s red zone woes will get better following a night where the Sun Devils failed to score a touchdown on three of their five chances within TCU’s 20-yard line. 

“Once it pops, it's going to be pretty fun,” Leavitt said. “We should have put up over 45 points.” 

Leavitt also highlighted the team's resilience, especially during the second half of games this season.

“We're a tough team, we compete, make adjustments and execute,” Leavitt said. “We always play better in the second half.”

While Leavitt and the Sun Devil offense had their plays, a majority of ASU's success tonight came defensively in what looked to be a breakout game for many players. 

“On that last drive, you would be able to put a heart monitor on me and I got no beat,” Leavitt said, describing what he felt during the Sun Devils' final drive of defense. 

ASU’s defense had a monstrous game, recording 13 tackles for loss, two interceptions and six sacks, including a strip sack recorded by redshirt senior defensive end Prince Dorbah, which allowed the Sun Devils to win the game with just under two minutes left to play. 

“We knew all game that we had an advantage up front,” Dorbah said. “Coaches just told us to go rush, communicate, play with each other.” 

Dorbah’s forced fumble, along with his three sacks and four tackles for loss, contributed massively to ASU's success in stifling an explosive Horned Frogs offense.

“I’m just playing football, man,” Dorbah said. 

The strip sack on TCU’s redshirt junior quarterback Josh Hoover late in the fourth quarter marked a massive moment in not only the game but in Dorbah’s career as a whole.

“It’s probably the biggest (play) of my career,” Dorbah said. 

Coach Dillingham attributed a large portion of  the Sun Devils' pass-rushing success to their newfound mentality of “team rushing.” 

“They’re starting to learn how to rush together,” Dillingham said. “The group has matured and they’re understanding that when you team rush, you open everything up.” 

While ASU’s defense may draw a majority of the praise following Friday night's victory, it was their linebacker core of senior linebacker Keyshaun Elliott and Hughes that won the game for the Sun Devils. 

“Super proud of him,” Elliott said of Hughes' game-icing interception. “He’s really stood up and made some key plays.”

Elliot himself had quite an impressive outing, contributing seven tackles, including a sack and two and a half tackles for loss. 

“We got everything together,” Elliott said. “Everybody was on the same page.”

Despite the game-winning field goal with just over a minute remaining in the game, redshirt senior kicker Jesus Gomez had a rough day at the office, missing two field goal attempts from 46 and 43 yards. 

“I've never had a doubt,” Dillingham said, showing the utmost faith in his kicker. “If we had to kick a 56-yarder to win that (game), I wouldn't have looked, he would've made it.”

The Sun Devils yet again make believers out of doubters, winning a crucial Big 12 game heading into a bye week despite being down and out at many points throughout the game.

“Winners win,” Dillingham said.