Mississippi State and Arizona State met in Starkville with both programs looking for a statement in Week 2. By the end of the night the Bulldogs had their moment, stealing a 24 to 20 win in the final 30 seconds against a Sun Devils team that had rallied from 17 points down. The first half was dominated by Mississippi State. The Bulldogs outgained Arizona State 209 yards to 95 before the break and built a 17 to 0 lead that looked secure. Arizona State could not find rhythm in the passing game. Quarterback Sam Leavitt completed just 10 of 22 passes for 82 yards and threw two interceptions. He added only 25 rushing yards, and the Sun Devils looked overwhelmed by the speed and physicality of the SEC defense. Arizona State’s only consistent answer was on the ground. The Sun Devils pounded out 251 rushing yards, keeping themselves within striking distance even as the offense sputtered through the air. The defense also found answers after halftime, tightening coverage and forcing Mississippi State into shorter drives. That effort paid off in the fourth quarter. Arizona State chipped away with methodical possessions and suddenly took the lead with 1:38 remaining on an 18 yard field goal by Jesus Gomez. After a night of frustration, the Sun Devils had pieced together 20 unanswered points to go ahead 20 to 17. But the Bulldogs had the last word. Quarterback Blake Shapen, steady all evening, marched his offense 77 yards in just over a minute. The decisive strike came with 30 seconds left when he hit Brandon Thompson on a 58 yard touchdown. The play stunned the Arizona State sideline and ignited a Mississippi State crowd that had been restless after giving up the lead. For Arizona State, the collapse was gutting. Head coach Kenny Dillingham admitted afterward that explosive plays were the story of the night. Despite the ground success and the fight to reclaim the game, the Sun Devils gave up too many big moments. Mississippi State’s defense intercepted Leavitt twice and sacked him twice, denying the kind of consistency Arizona State needed. The loss does not impact Arizona State’s Big 12 standing, but it was a missed opportunity to claim an early marquee road win. Instead, the Sun Devils leave with lessons about execution in closing minutes and the importance of finishing drives with touchdowns rather than field goals. For Mississippi State, the game represented a breakthrough. New head coach Jeff Lebby earned his first win over a ranked opponent, giving the program momentum and credibility under his leadership. The Bulldogs had been questioned after uneven play in the opener, but this performance showed resilience. Holding off a rally, then responding with composure on the game’s final drive, is the kind of experience that can define a season. The SEC schedule will only grow more demanding, but this win steadied the ground beneath Mississippi State. For Arizona State, the film will sting. They proved they could fight back, but in the moments that decide outcomes, they blinked. Mississippi State did not.