Dillingham: 'Statistics' behind strategy that threw ASU-BYU into chaos

Warning: Video contains coarse language

Arizona State coach Kenny Dillingham chalked up his end-of-game strategy versus BYU to mathematics after producing one of the most hectic scenes in recent college football memory.

"There's a lot of statistics behind that thought process," Dillingham said after escaping with a 28-23 victory. "And we won the game."

The Sun Devils faced second-and-goal at the BYU 3-yard line in the final minute, leading by five and having already forced the Cougars to burn two of their three timeouts. Instead of plunging ahead for a touchdown, quarterback Sam Leavitt ran backward for 26 yards to take time off the clock.

Leavitt went backward again on third down, killing more seconds. On fourth down, he heaved the ball out of bounds as time expired, and fans rushed the field to celebrate.

However, officials reviewed the play and determined there was still 1 second on the clock when Leavitt's pass touched out of bounds. Dillingham was incredulous as the referees directed the game to continue.

BYU gained possession near midfield after a lengthy delay to clear fans off the field and return the goal posts to their upright position.

When play resumed, BYU quarterback Jake Retzlaff threw - and completed - a Hail Mary pass, but Arizona State tackled Chase Roberts shy of the goal line.

"If you score, they have a minute left," Dillingham said of his approach near the BYU end zone. "There is a chance that they could score, kick an onside kick, and win. In reality, there was a point where there was under 12 seconds left and we had two plays. Each play should take roughly 6-7 seconds."

The win kept Arizona State in the hunt for the Big 12 championship heading into the final week of the regular season. The Sun Devils are 9-2 after winning three games last season in Dillingham's first year at the helm.