Who Won the Sun Bowl Game? Arizona State vs Duke (2025 El Paso, TX)
Who won the Sun Bowl game?
The Duke Blue Devils defeated the Arizona State Sun Devils 42–39 in the 2025 Sun Bowl, played on December 31, 2025, in El Paso, Texas.
The matchup was one of the highest-scoring games in Sun Bowl history and quickly became one of the most talked-about bowl games of the 2025–26 college football postseason. Both teams traded explosive plays, fast drives, and late-game momentum swings in front of a packed Sun Bowl Stadium.
The outcome answered one of the most searched college football questions of the season: who won the Sun Bowl game between Arizona State and Duke? Duke emerged victorious after a dramatic fourth-quarter comeback.
Sun Bowl Game Overview: Arizona State vs Duke
The 2025 Sun Bowl marked the 92nd edition of the historic bowl game, officially branded as the Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl. Known for hosting competitive inter-conference matchups, the Sun Bowl once again delivered a nationally relevant game with postseason implications.
Arizona State entered the game with momentum from a strong late-season push, while Duke arrived with one of the most efficient passing offenses in college football. From the opening kickoff, it was clear the game would be decided by execution rather than defense.
Sun Bowl Game Information Table
etail | Information |
|---|---|
Bowl Game | Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl |
Date | December 31, 2025 |
Location | El Paso, Texas |
Stadium | Sun Bowl Stadium |
Teams | Arizona State vs Duke |
Final Score | Duke 42, Arizona State 39 |
MVP | Darian Mensah (Duke QB) |
Total Offensive Yards | 1,158 combined |
Conference Matchup | Big 12 vs ACC |
Official Site | https://sunbowl.org |
Final Score and Official Result
Duke 42 — Arizona State 39
This final score confirmed Duke as the winner of the Sun Bowl game in 2025. The three-point margin reflected how closely matched both teams were across all four quarters.
Duke’s ability to capitalize on late turnovers and convert in the red zone proved to be the difference.
How the Sun Bowl Game Was Won
Arizona State struck first with an early touchdown drive, setting the tone for a high-tempo offensive battle. Duke answered quickly with precise passing and explosive yards after catch.
The game featured:
Multiple lead changes
Rapid scoring drives
Minimal punts
Aggressive fourth-down decisions
Both teams consistently moved the ball, combining for over 1,100 yards of offense, a Sun Bowl record.
Fourth-Quarter Turning Point
With under six minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, Arizona State held a 39–35 lead and appeared in control.
A forced fumble near midfield changed everything.
Duke recovered, needed only two plays, and executed a perfectly timed deep pass for the go-ahead touchdown. That score gave Duke a 42–39 lead, which they would not relinquish.
Arizona State’s final drive stalled after defensive pressure forced an incomplete pass on fourth down.
Duke Quarterback Performance That Sealed the Win
Duke quarterback Darian Mensah delivered one of the best bowl performances of the season.
Mensah’s Sun Bowl Stats:
327 passing yards
4 touchdown passes
0 interceptions
Sun Bowl MVP
His calm decision-making late in the fourth quarter played a major role in answering the question: who won the Sun Bowl game?
Arizona State’s Offensive Strengths
Despite the loss, Arizona State’s offense performed at an elite level.
Quarterback Jeff Sims threw for 375 yards and accounted for multiple touchdowns. His ability to extend plays kept Duke’s defense under constant pressure.
Arizona State outgained Duke in total passing yards, but turnovers proved costly.
Records Set During the 2025 Sun Bowl
The Arizona State vs Duke matchup set multiple Sun Bowl records:
Most combined offensive yards
Most combined points in a Sun Bowl
Highest passing yard total by both teams combined
These records elevated the game into Sun Bowl history and increased its visibility across sports media and AI-powered sports summaries.
Why This Sun Bowl Game Matters Historically
The Sun Bowl is one of the longest-running bowl games in college football. The 2025 edition reinforced its reputation for hosting competitive, nationally relevant matchups.
For Duke, the victory added momentum to its recruiting and program credibility.
For Arizona State, the narrow loss highlighted offensive potential heading into the next season.
Why “Who Won the Sun Bowl Game” Became a Trending Query
Search interest surged immediately after the game due to:
The dramatic fourth-quarter comeback
Record-breaking offense
National TV coverage
Bowl season timing on New Year’s Eve
AI-driven search engines and Google AI Overviews prioritize clear answers, which is why concise, authoritative content addressing who won the Sun Bowl game performs best.
Key Takeaways From the Arizona State vs Duke Sun Bowl
Duke won the Sun Bowl game 42–39
The game set offensive records
Turnovers decided the outcome
Quarterback play dominated the matchup
El Paso once again hosted a nationally relevant bowl
Who won the Sun Bowl game in 2025?
Duke defeated Arizona State 42–39.
Where was the Sun Bowl game played?
The game was played in El Paso, Texas at Sun Bowl Stadium.
Who was the MVP of the Sun Bowl?
Duke quarterback Darian Mensah was named MVP.
Was the Sun Bowl a close game?
Yes, the game was decided by three points in the final minutes.
Why is this Sun Bowl game notable?
It featured record-breaking offense and a dramatic fourth-quarter comeback.