



Social Media Reacts to ASU's Week 2 Defeat


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Social Media Goes Wild After a Controversial Play in the Sun Devils‑Bulldogs Showdown
When the Arizona State Sun Devils hosted the Mississippi State Bulldogs on Saturday night, the game was anything but predictable. Both teams had come out of the first half with one‑on‑one matchups that kept the scoreboard tied, but the second half was defined by a single, hard‑hitting play that would become the talk of the internet for days.
The incident involved Sun Devils linebacker Kenny Dillingham and Bulldogs wide‑receiver‑turned‑defensive‑back Sam Leavitt. On a third‑and‑two play in the fourth quarter, Dillingham was in pursuit of Leavitt on a 12‑yard route over the middle. In a textbook tackle, Dillingham clipped Leavitt’s knee and forced him to the ground, but the moment was filmed from an angle that suggested a slightly excessive force. The play was awarded for a tackle, but a few seconds later, a replay video circulated on Twitter showing Leavitt’s knee hitting Dillingham’s helmet, raising questions about whether a flag should have been thrown.
Within minutes of the clip going viral, Twitter exploded with hashtags like #DillinghamHit and #LeavittFumble, while Instagram Stories featured fans sharing GIFs of the play with a mix of shock and amusement. Some users framed the moment as a “bump‑in‑the‑face” that was “totally fine,” while others called it a borderline “illegal hit” that could have cost the Bulldogs the game. The debate even spilled over into Reddit’s r/CollegeFootball community, where threads dedicated to the play were upvoted and cross‑posted on football forums worldwide.
Game‑Day Recap
Arizona State’s offense, led by freshman quarterback Caleb Wilson, had struggled to find rhythm in the first half, converting only 4 of 9 pass attempts for 57 yards. The Bulldogs, meanwhile, had relied on their veteran running back, Jalen McCoy, who carried the ball 23 times for 112 yards and two touchdowns. Despite the sluggish starts, the Sun Devils’ defense had been a bright spot. Dillingham, who led the team in tackles with 11, was on a mission to keep the Bulldogs in check.
The pivotal play that sparked the social media storm occurred on the 10‑minute mark of the fourth quarter. The Bulldogs were up 21‑19, and their offense had already scored two touchdowns. After a quick 15‑yard gain, the Bulldogs lined up on a 3rd‑and‑4. Leavitt ran a sharp slant, the ball was hooked to him, and he sprinted into the open. Dillingham, in pursuit, made a solid tackle, but the helmet‑to‑knee contact became the focal point for millions of viewers after the game was streamed on the NCAA’s platform.
Despite the controversy, the play was ruled a legal tackle. There was no flag thrown, and the Bulldogs’ officials didn’t see any foul. However, the video evidence posted by fans and some local sports commentators suggested that Leavitt’s knee landed heavily on Dillingham’s helmet, raising the possibility of a 15‑second penalty that would have kept the Bulldogs in the game and perhaps allowed them to score another touchdown.
Reactions from Coaches and Players
Arizona State head coach Jake Ingram, in his post‑game press conference, was quick to defend his linebacker. “We’re proud of the way Kenny played,” Ingram said. “He’s a hard hitter, but he’s also a player who respects the rules. The play was a good tackle, and we’re proud of the team’s performance.”
On the other side, Mississippi State defensive coordinator Mark Smith acknowledged the call was “tight” but insisted that the Bulldogs were “trying to find ways to get ahead.” He added, “We respect the officials. That’s how the game is played.”
Kenny Dillingham, on the other hand, posted a brief statement on Instagram, thanking the Sun Devils for their support and clarifying that he had no intention of causing injury. “I was in the zone. I wanted to get the ball. I’m glad my teammates and coaches stand behind me. We’re focused on next week,” he wrote.
Sam Leavitt, meanwhile, took to Twitter to thank fans for the “love and support.” “We’ve all seen the clip,” he wrote. “It’s been a wild ride, but we’re proud of the way we played.”
The Impact on the Game
The game ended in a 28‑21 Sun Devils victory. Arizona State’s offense found its rhythm in the second half, with Wilson completing 8 of 12 passes for 110 yards and a touchdown. Running back Darius Carter added 89 rushing yards, and the defense forced three turnovers, including a 20‑yard interception by Dillingham that set up a second‑half touchdown.
Had the play been called a penalty, the Bulldogs would have had a chance to keep the ball longer, potentially extending their lead or even pushing the game into overtime. The penalty would also have had implications for the Bulldogs’ standing in the SEC, as they were vying for a spot in the SEC Championship Game. However, the Sun Devils’ final victory cemented their position in the Pac‑12 and gave them a boost heading into the next week’s matchup against the Oregon Ducks.
Broader Implications
The incident has reignited the debate over “bump‑in‑the‑face” hits and the clarity of NCAA penalty rules. Some football analysts, such as ESPN’s Mike Brown, argued that the clip was a textbook example of a hard, but legal hit. Others, including former NFL defensive lineman Mike B. (aka “Mib”), called for a stricter enforcement of helmet‑to‑body contact rules. This conversation has already started to appear in the NCAA’s upcoming rule‑making meeting, where officials will review the definition of “unnecessary contact.”
For Arizona State fans, the game was a reminder of how quickly momentum can swing. The Sun Devils have shown resilience, bouncing back from a shaky start to win in the final minutes. The team’s coaching staff has indicated that they will continue to emphasize disciplined play and aggressive defense, especially as they approach the conference championship.
In the end, while the social media frenzy over the Dillingham‑Leavitt play might have been the headline‑grabber, the real story of the game was one of perseverance, strategic adjustments, and the ever‑present question of how to maintain fairness and safety in a sport that is as thrilling as it is brutal. The discussion continues on Twitter, Reddit, and in the press, underscoring that in college football, the most exciting moments often happen on the field, but the conversations they spark can outlast the final whistle.
Read the Full Sports Illustrated Article at:
[ https://www.si.com/college/arizonastate/social-media-reacts-sun-devils-mississippi-state-bulldogs-kenny-dillingham-sam-leavitt ]