ASU QB Leavitt out for season, Sims to start vs Iowa State

Arizona State coach Kenny Dillingham said Friday that starting quarterback Sam Leavitt will miss the remainder of the season after electing to undergo surgery next week to address a lingering right foot injury, removing the Sun Devils’ top signal-caller from Saturday’s road game at Iowa State and any further 2025 action. Dillingham said the issue first flared Sept. 20 and has persisted despite treatment, and the team will reassess recovery during its upcoming bye week.

Leavitt, who had been battling the injury through much of the season, twice left last weekend’s 24-16 loss to No. 22 Houston and was seen in a walking boot at practice earlier in the week. In seven games this year he completed about 61 percent of his passes for 1,628 yards and 10 touchdowns with three interceptions, and he has five rushing scores. His absence deprives Arizona State of its established starter and a player who helped the program reach the College Football Playoff last season.

Jeff Sims, a veteran who previously played at Georgia Tech and Nebraska and has served as Leavitt’s understudy, will start against Iowa State. Sims replaced Leavitt in last week’s game, completing 6 of 11 passes for 58 yards...