The journeyman was making his 32nd and final college start in the Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl, in El Paso, Texas, and went toe-to-toe with Duke star sophomore quarterback Darian Mensah the entire way.

It was the best performance of Sims’ storied career. The veteran, who is known primarily for his running ability, went 27-for-38 in the passing game for 375 yards, the most passing yards of any game in his career. 

Sims also didn’t shy away from the running game, coming second in rushing yards for the Sun Devils with 70.

With ASU’s secondary depleted from opt-outs and an earlier ejection, Sims was locked in a shootout with Mensah, with neither team able to pull away. 

After an inopportune fumble by Sun Devil freshman running back Demarius Robinson and a subsequent go-ahead touchdown for the Blue Devils, Sims had the opportunity for a game-winning drive that would cement his performance as the best of his career.

However, trailing by three on second down, with 1:47 remaining in the fourth quarter at ASU’s own 39, Sims threw an interception to Duke sophomore linebacker Luke Mergott, all but sealing the game for the Blue Devils.

“It’s cool to have touchdowns and all that, but… we were in a position to win, and we didn’t get it done,” Sims said.

While taking in the sting of a heartbreaking loss, Sims also had a chance to reflect on the last two years of his career with the Sun Devils.

“Coming out of Nebraska, it was low times, a dark place for me,” Sims said. “I just appreciate (ASU) for taking a chance on me.” 

Sims came to ASU from Nebraska in the fifth year of his collegiate career. The signal-caller started his career in 2020 as a promising freshman prospect for Georgia Tech after he flipped his commitment from Florida State. 

Sims won the starting job in his freshman season and played all 10 games for the Yellow Jackets. However, Georgia Tech limped to a 3-7 record that year. 

The following season, Sims had to split time under center with Jordan Yates, a sophomore quarterback at the time for Georgia Tech. Sims only played in eight games in that season, and seven the following campaign in 2022.

Sims threw 23 interceptions in as many starts for the Yellow Jackets over his three seasons. He transferred to Nebraska for the following season.

Sims’ career took a turn for the worse with the Cornhuskers. He won the starting job, but lost it after just two games, in which he threw six interceptions and just one touchdown.

After spending the 2024 season as the backup to Sam Leavitt, Sims got an opportunity at ASU in 2025 with the season-ending injury to Leavitt. 

Like much of Sims’ career, his performance this year has been a roller coaster. Sims’ first start came at Utah, where the No. 21 Sun Devils were trounced by unranked Utah. Sims went 18-for-38 in that game for just 124 passing yards.

In his next start, at Iowa State, Sims rushed for the most yards in a game of any ASU quarterback in program history, with 228, as the Sun Devils pulled off a somewhat unexpected road victory over the Cyclones.

However, Sims struggled later in the final game of the regular season, in the Territorial Cup against No. 25 Arizona. His turnover struggles returned with three interceptions and a fumble. 

In two years at ASU, Sims had five interceptions compared to only seven passing touchdowns, a continuation of his key struggle throughout his time as a collegiate quarterback.

When Sims was self-critical postgame, head coach Kenny Dillingham defended him.

“That’s a pretty good way to end it,” Dillingham said. “It would have been way better if we would have won the football game… but that dude’s a special dude.”

Sims was spectacular for the vast majority of the game. Still, a career that’s had its ups and downs ends on a bitter note for the experienced signal-caller, whose last pass in college football comes as a microcosm of what largely kept him from being great. 

“When the time came for me to make a play, I didn’t, and that’s probably going to be the only thing I think about,” Sims said.