Sam Leavitt Downgraded to Doubtful for Vital ASU Game Against Utah

TEMPE, Arizona — Arizona State University quarterback Sam Leavitt has been downgraded to doubtful for Saturday’s game against the University of Utah, according to the Big 12‘s availability report released Thursday night.

Leavitt, who initially appeared as probable on Wednesday, has not disclosed the nature of his injury. He practiced on Tuesday and Wednesday and participated in media sessions as scheduled, raising hopes for his participation in the game.

If Leavitt cannot play, veteran quarterback Jeff Sims is expected to step in as the starter. Sims, a sixth-year senior, has a wealth of experience, having started 26 games in his career, including one for ASU, along with stints at Georgia Tech and Nebraska.

This season, Leavitt has thrown for eight touchdowns and gained 1,039 yards, completing 63.1% of his passes. He has been particularly impressive lately, recording five touchdown passes with zero interceptions in the last three games. This follows a challenging performance during ASU’s only loss this season.

Last season, Leavitt led the Sun Devils to a College Football Playoff bid, showcasing his potential as an NFL prospect with a mix of size, speed, and skill.

Should Sims take over, he will look to leverage his experience as ASU competes for a strong position in the Big 12 conference, where they currently hold a 2-0 record. The matchup against Utah is considered crucial for both teams.

Fans are eager to see if Leavitt can return quickly, but Sims is set to step into the spotlight if necessary. Arizona State triumphed over Utah in their previous encounter last season, winning 27-19 and ending a four-game losing streak against the Utes.

The game is scheduled to kick off at 7:15 PM Arizona time and will be broadcast on ESPN.