2 former Arizona State quarterbacks to meet in SEC matchup. Who wins?
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2 former Arizona State quarterbacks to meet in SEC matchup. Who wins?
Michelle Gardner, Arizona Republic·AZCentral | The Arizona Republic
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1 min read
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It could be a battle of formerArizona Statequarterbacks when two teams square off in SEC play this weekend. LSU (4-2, 1-2) hosts Mississippi State (4-1, 2-1) at 9 a.m. MST on Saturday, Oct. 17, in a game to air on ESPN.
Of course, Sam Leavitt is in his first season in Baton Rouge after spending 2024 and 2025 in Tempe, where he propelled the Sun Devils to a Big 12 championship in 2024. It has been a roller coaster ride for him so far at LSU. Leavitt is 117-for-173 for 1,496 yards and 10 touchdowns. He also has eight interceptions, one fewer than he had in his two seasons at ASU combined.
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Meanwhile, the Mississippi State team has Jaden Rashada as its No. 2 quarterback, but sophomore starter Kamario Taylor is listed as questionable with a right leg injury sustained in a game against Missouri. Taylor played last week against Alabama but exited the game in the fourth quarter.
LSU Tigers quarterback Sam Leavitt (10) looks on prior to the game against the Texas A&M Aggies at Tiger Stadium on Sept. 26, 2026, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
(Stephen Lew/Imagn Images)
LSU Tigers quarterback Sam Leavitt (10) stretches prior to the game against the Texas A&M Aggies at Tiger Stadium on Sept. 26, 2026, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
(Stephen Lew/Imagn Images)
LSU Tigers quarterback Sam Leavitt (10) throws a pass during the first quarter against the Texas A&M Aggies at Tiger Stadium on Sept. 26, 2026, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
(Stephen Lew/Imagn Images)
LSU Tigers quarterback Sam Leavitt (10) call a play during the second quarter against the Texas A&M Aggies at Tiger Stadium on Sept. 26, 2026, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
(Stephen Lew/Imagn Images)
LSU Tigers quarterback Sam Leavitt (10) looks to pass the ball during the game against the Texas A&M Aggies at Tiger Stadium on Sept. 26, 2026, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
(Stephen Lew/Imagn Images)
LSU Tigers quarterback Sam Leavitt (10) as they take on the Texas A&M Aggies on Sept. 19, 2026, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
(Scott Clause/USA TODAY Network)
LSU Tigers quarterback Sam Leavitt (10) as they take on the Texas A&M Aggies on Sept. 19, 2026, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
(Scott Clause/USA TODAY Network)
Quarterback Sam Leavitt (10) during LSU football practice on Aug. 18, 2026.
(SCOTT CLAUSE/USA TODAY Network)
Quarterback Sam Leavitt (10) during LSU football practice on Aug. 18, 2026.
(SCOTT CLAUSE/USATODAY Network)
1/9
Sam Leavitt's college career continues at LSU
LSU Tigers quarterback Sam Leavitt (10) looks on prior to the game against the Texas A&M Aggies at Tiger Stadium on Sept. 26, 2026, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
(Stephen Lew/Imagn Images)
1/9
Sam Leavitt's college career continues at LSU
LSU Tigers quarterback Sam Leavitt (10) looks on prior to the game against the Texas A&M Aggies at Tiger Stadium on Sept. 26, 2026, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
(Stephen Lew/Imagn Images)
2/9
Sam Leavitt's college career continues at LSU
LSU Tigers quarterback Sam Leavitt (10) stretches prior to the game against the Texas A&M Aggies at Tiger Stadium on Sept. 26, 2026, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
(Stephen Lew/Imagn Images)
3/9
Sam Leavitt's college career continues at LSU
LSU Tigers quarterback Sam Leavitt (10) throws a pass during the first quarter against the Texas A&M Aggies at Tiger Stadium on Sept. 26, 2026, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
(Stephen Lew/Imagn Images)
4/9
Sam Leavitt's college career continues at LSU
LSU Tigers quarterback Sam Leavitt (10) call a play during the second quarter against the Texas A&M Aggies at Tiger Stadium on Sept. 26, 2026, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
(Stephen Lew/Imagn Images)
5/9
Sam Leavitt's college career continues at LSU
LSU Tigers quarterback Sam Leavitt (10) looks to pass the ball during the game against the Texas A&M Aggies at Tiger Stadium on Sept. 26, 2026, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
(Stephen Lew/Imagn Images)
6/9
Sam Leavitt's college career continues at LSU
LSU Tigers quarterback Sam Leavitt (10) as they take on the Texas A&M Aggies on Sept. 19, 2026, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
(Scott Clause/USA TODAY Network)
7/9
Sam Leavitt's college career continues at LSU
LSU Tigers quarterback Sam Leavitt (10) as they take on the Texas A&M Aggies on Sept. 19, 2026, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
(Scott Clause/USA TODAY Network)
8/9
Sam Leavitt's college career continues at LSU
Quarterback Sam Leavitt (10) during LSU football practice on Aug. 18, 2026.
(SCOTT CLAUSE/USA TODAY Network)
9/9
Sam Leavitt's college career continues at LSU
Quarterback Sam Leavitt (10) during LSU football practice on Aug. 18, 2026.
(SCOTT CLAUSE/USATODAY Network)
Rashada played for ASU in 2023, which was the first year for current head coach Kenny Dillingham.
He played just three games due to a knee injury. Mississippi State is his fourth school in as many years. He was at Georgia in 2024, although he did not see game action. He spent 2025 at Sacramento State and played in just six games.
