Arizona State’s appearance in the Peach Bowl was supposed to be a culmination of a season marked by growth, resilience, and flashes of elite potential. Instead, the Sun Devils walked away from Mercedes-Benz Stadium with more questions than answers after a frustrating defeat—and one glaring absence stood out throughout the night. Jordyn Tyson, sidelined with injury, was not just missing from the roster. He was missing from the game in every way that mattered.
The final score told one story—a 34-20 loss to a disciplined and dynamic opponent—but it was the subtext, the missed opportunities, and the stagnation of Arizona State’s offense that highlighted just how much they needed Tyson. A rising star before injury cut his season short, Tyson had emerged as the Sun Devils’ most dynamic weapon, a receiver capable of turning routine plays into game-changers. Without him, the ASU offense looked predictable, sluggish, and, at times, disoriented.
Head coach Kenny Dillingham didn’t mince words in the postgame press conference. “Jordyn’s absence hurt,” he said. “We have guys who stepped up all year, but a player like that… you can’t replace him easily. We needed a spark, and he’s usually the one who gives it to us.”
Tyson, who transferred to ASU from Colorado, had quickly developed into the team’s most reliable target. Before going down with a leg injury in early November, he led the team in receiving yards and touchdowns. His ability to stretch the field with his speed and create separation in tight coverage opened up the offense in ways the team simply couldn’t replicate in the Peach Bowl.
Quarterback Jaden Rashada, himself a freshman learning on the job, struggled to establish rhythm without his top playmaker. He threw for 198 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions. While some of his passes were errant, it was evident that the chemistry he had developed with Tyson was sorely missing. The receivers on the field had difficulty creating separation, allowing the opposing defense to stack the box and pressure the quarterback.
The result was an offense that sputtered, settling for field goals where they might have struck gold with Tyson’s explosiveness. Key third-down conversions slipped through the cracks. Red zone opportunities stalled. And perhaps most telling, ASU lacked the kind of deep threat that forces defensive backs to hesitate—something Tyson provided routinely.
“Jordyn changes how defenses play us,” said offensive coordinator Beau Baldwin. “They have to account for him every play, and that opens up lanes for the run game and other receivers. Without him, things get tighter. Everything’s harder.”
Indeed, Arizona State’s run game also felt the ripple effects of Tyson’s absence. With the field condensed, running backs found fewer holes and more defenders crashing the box. The Sun Devils managed only 112 rushing yards, a season-low against a Power Five opponent.
On the sideline, Tyson was seen encouraging his teammates, limping slightly, dressed in street clothes. His leadership and presence were felt, but his absence on the field loomed larger. For a team built around explosive plays and momentum, missing their primary catalyst proved costly.
The loss was a disappointing end to a season that otherwise held promise. Arizona State had overachieved in many respects, making a bowl game with a roster filled with youth and transfers. Tyson was one of the brightest spots—a transfer who had seamlessly stepped into a leadership role and delivered on the field. His 2024 campaign was shaping up to be a breakout season before injury struck.
“He’s our guy,” said junior wide receiver Elijhah Badger. “We all feed off his energy. We tried to step up, and we fought, but it’s tough when you don’t have a guy like that out there. He’s not just fast—he’s fearless.”
Fans watching the game saw the same thing. Online chatter before and after the game centered around how different things might have been with a healthy Tyson. His ability to take the top off defenses would have changed how the opponent played coverage. Safeties wouldn’t have been able to cheat down into the box, and linebackers wouldn’t have had the freedom to blitz with impunity.
With the season now over, the focus turns to the future. Tyson is expected to make a full recovery by the start of fall camp, and ASU fans will be hoping for a return to the form that made him one of the Pac-12’s most feared receivers. The Peach Bowl might be remembered for the lessons it taught this young Sun Devils team—but it will also be remembered for who wasn’t there.
The injury may have sidelined Jordyn Tyson physically, but his impact—or rather, the void left by it—was the loudest statement of the night. Arizona State missed his hands, his speed, his presence, and his playmaking. In a game that demanded difference-makers, the one they needed most was watching from the sidelines.
