Arizona State University students are known for their party skills. But the celebration started a little earlier than it should have during a closely contested football game against BYU.
The 21st-ranked Sun Devils of ASU were leading 28-23 late in the game when they made a play in an attempt to reset the game clock to zero.
But quarterback Sam Leavitt’s incomplete pass hit the ground with a second left on the clock.
The fans didn’t recognize this and the students poured onto the field while the officials went to the monitor to see how much time was left.
As thousands stormed the field, Arizona State head coach Kenny Dillingham was told by the officials that there was one second left on the clock and he was going crazy – as cameras caught him yelling at officials.
But even with the announcement that there was still time left in the game, it took a lot of convincing for the students to get back into the stands.
Fans stormed the field too early as Arizona State defeated BYU in a college football game
They had to be taken off the field to play one more time before running back out
School officials began taking down the goalposts to prevent anyone from forcibly taking them down.
Even players on the Arizona State team felt the need to help mentor students the field and back to the stands.
After a long delay, order was finally restored and the teams took the field for one final game.
With the game on the line, BYU quarterback Jake Retzlaff threw a pass down the field, where it was caught by wide receiver Chase Roberts two yards short of the end zone.
Fans came rushing onto the field again to celebrate their win over BYU, which vaulted them to the top of the Big XII Conference standings.
The Sun Devils (9-2) could earn the Big XII’s bid for the College Football Playoff if they win the Big XII Championship game.
To achieve that, they must beat rivals Arizona along the way to secure a spot in the game. It’s possible they play BYU again, otherwise they’ll likely face Deion Sanders’ Colorado Buffaloes.