On a cold November afternoon in Boulder, Raleek Brown didn’t just play football—he rewrote Arizona State’s rushing history. The junior running back exploded for 255 yards on just 28 carries, adding 33 more through the air, as the Arizona State Sun Devils crushed the University of Colorado Boulder Buffaloes 35-17 at Folsom Field on November 22, 2025. It wasn’t just a win. It was the Sun Devils’ first Big 12 victory by more than one score this season—and the kind of performance that turns heads in a conference race that’s tightening by the week.
A Game That Turned on the Fourth Quarter
Colorado struck first, taking a 7-3 lead after the first quarter on a 14-yard scramble by quarterback Jalen Coleman. But Arizona State’s offense, methodical and relentless, slowly wore down the Buffaloes’ defense. Kicker Jesus Gomez nailed a 39-yard field goal as time expired in the half, giving the Sun Devils a 13-7 edge. Then came the turning point: early in the third, Colorado regained the lead on a 22-yard touchdown catch by wide receiver Isaiah Lewis. It felt like the Buffaloes might finally find their rhythm.
They didn’t.
Arizona State answered immediately. Quarterback Samsonson Sims launched a 68-yard bomb to Eusebio, then found Khamari Anderson on the two-point conversion for a 21-14 lead. The momentum had shifted. And by the time the fourth quarter began, the Buffaloes were running on fumes.
Raleek Brown’s Career Day
What followed was a masterclass in power running. The Sun Devils racked up 205 rushing yards in the final 15 minutes—every single yard on the ground. And the engine? Raleek Brown.
He took a handoff on second-and-8 from his own 12-yard line, broke two tackles near the line of scrimmage, and then turned on the jets. 88 yards later, he was in the end zone. The crowd at Folsom Field fell silent. The scoreboard read 28-17. Brown had just delivered the longest rushing touchdown of his career—and the longest by any Sun Devil since 2019.
He finished with 288 all-purpose yards, the most by an ASU player since 2021. His 255 rushing yards rank as the eighth-highest single-game total in program history since 1996, and the fourth-most ever on the road. Arizona State’s 355 total rushing yards were the most by any team in the Big 12 this season.
“It was a career day,” said Graham Rossini, Arizona State’s athletic director, in his post-game remarks. “You don’t see runs like that often. He didn’t just break tackles—he broke expectations.”
Colorado’s Season Hits a New Low
For the Buffaloes, the loss was more than just another defeat. It was the final nail in a season that started with promise but collapsed under injuries, inconsistent play, and a defense that couldn’t stop the run. They entered the game needing a win to stay relevant in the Big 12’s bottom half. They left at 3-8 overall and 1-7 in conference play—second-to-last, ahead of only winless Oklahoma State (1-10).
Head coach Deion Sanders didn’t offer excuses. “The goal was not to inflict any wounds on ourselves,” he said after the game, a rare moment of self-awareness from a coach who’s often been more focused on spectacle than substance. “We didn’t execute. We didn’t tackle. We didn’t compete.”
Colorado’s final game of the season will be on November 29, 2025, at Bill Snyder Family Stadium in Manhattan, Kansas, against the Kansas State Wildcats. No one expects a turnaround. But for a program that once played for national titles, this season feels like a reset.
Arizona State’s Championship Path
Meanwhile, the Sun Devils are quietly positioning themselves for a Big 12 Championship berth. At 8-3 overall and 6-2 in conference play, they’re tied with Cincinnati for fourth place. Only Texas Tech (10-1), BYU (9-1), and Utah (9-2) sit ahead. A win in their final game—still unannounced—could vault them into the top four and a playoff spot.
They’ve now scored 580 total yards in this game—the ninth-best road performance in program history. And they’ve held opponents scoreless in the final 15 minutes of their last three games. That’s not luck. That’s discipline.
Wide receiver Jordyn Tyson, back from a shoulder injury suffered on October 18, caught a critical 42-yard pass on third down in the second quarter, extending a drive that ended in a touchdown. His return added another layer of depth to an offense that’s now humming on all cylinders.
What’s Next?
Arizona State’s final regular-season game will be announced soon, but sources close to the program suggest it could be a home showdown against Utah on December 6—a potential de facto conference semifinal. A win there, and the Sun Devils are in. A loss, and they’ll be watching the title game from the sidelines.
For now, though, the focus is on Brown. On the way he carried the ball like a man possessed. On the way the offensive line opened holes the size of parking spots. On the way the defense held Colorado to zero points in the fourth quarter.
This wasn’t just a win. It was a statement.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Raleek Brown’s performance rank historically in Arizona State football?
Raleek Brown’s 255 rushing yards were the eighth-highest single-game total in Arizona State history since 1996 and the fourth-most ever in a road game. Only three Sun Devil backs have rushed for more than 250 yards on the road: Eddie Lacy (270 in 2010), Marion Grice (267 in 2012), and Demario Richard (258 in 2017). His 288 all-purpose yards were the most by an ASU player since 2021, when Rachaad White totaled 291 against New Mexico.
Why is this win significant for Arizona State’s Big 12 Championship hopes?
Arizona State is now tied for fourth in the Big 12 standings at 6-2, just one game behind Utah and BYU. With only one regular-season game left, a win in their final contest—likely against Utah—could push them into the top four and secure a spot in the Big 12 Championship Game. Their defense has allowed just 10 points per game in the final 15 minutes over the last three contests, making them one of the league’s most dangerous late-game teams.
What’s the impact of Colorado’s 1-7 conference record?
Colorado’s 1-7 Big 12 record leaves them in 15th place out of 16 teams, ahead only of Oklahoma State (0-8). It’s the worst conference record for the Buffaloes since their 2013 season in the Pac-12. With Deion Sanders’ tenure entering its third year, the lack of on-field progress has sparked increasing fan unrest. The program now faces a critical offseason: recruiting, coaching adjustments, and rebuilding morale will be key to avoiding another winless conference season.
Who else had standout performances for Arizona State?
Quarterback Samsonson Sims completed 14 of 20 passes for 225 yards and two touchdowns, including the 68-yard strike to Eusebio. Running back Kanye Udoh added a 12-yard touchdown run with 8:48 left in the fourth quarter, and Jason Brown Jr. scored his first career touchdown on a 2-yard plunge with 1:20 remaining. The offensive line allowed zero sacks and opened lanes for 355 rushing yards—their best performance of the season.
Did Arizona State’s defense make a difference?
Absolutely. Colorado’s offense managed just 17 total points and was held to 2.8 yards per carry in the second half. The Sun Devils’ defensive line recorded four tackles for loss in the final 15 minutes. Cornerback Darius Williams intercepted a pass in the third quarter, and safety Jordan Moore broke up a critical fourth-down throw in the end zone. After allowing 28.6 points per game in October, they’ve given up just 14.2 in November.
What’s the significance of the 21 unanswered points in the fourth quarter?
That 21-0 run was the largest fourth-quarter comeback by Arizona State since 2018, when they overcame a 14-point deficit to beat USC. It’s also the first time since 2016 that the Sun Devils have shut out an opponent in the final quarter of a conference game. Coach Kenny Dillingham has emphasized mental toughness in practice, and this performance proved it’s paying off. Teams now fear the final 15 minutes when facing ASU.
