Watch: Bold fourth-down call pays off for Arizona State

Arizona State’s major gamble paid off.

During the first quarter of the Big 12 championship game against College Football Playoff No. 16 Iowa State (10-2), Arizona State head coach Kenny Dillingham made the bold, aggressive decision to keep his offense on the field on a fourth-and-inches from the Sun Devils’ 34-yard line.

But instead of running a conservative play to pick up the first down, freshman Arizona State quarterback Sam Leavitt heaved a deep pass to senior wide receiver Melquan Stovall for a 63-yard completion.