Arizona State Defeated Kansas in Union Jack Classic
The Sun Devils secured a 24-17 victory over Kansas during the game held at Wembley Stadium in London.
Updated on Sept. 19, 2026 in Football
Arizona State triumphed over Kansas with a 24-17 win in the Union Jack Classic. The international matchup featured standout special teams performances at London’s historic Wembley Stadium.
Why it matters
The game marks a high-profile expansion of collegiate football presence in international markets. It highlights the growing effort to export American football traditions to global fanbases through marquee events.
Arizona State secured the victory through key plays including a 72-yard punt return by Tate Nagy and a 100-yard kickoff return by Jaren Hamilton. Additional scoring came from a 25-yard touchdown pass by Cutter Boley and a 77-yard fumble return by Hyrum Veaono.
The players
Arizona State
Arizona State University is a major public research university based in Tempe, Arizona, with a prominent Division I athletic program.
Kansas
The University of Kansas is a public research university in Lawrence, Kansas, known for its long-standing history in collegiate athletics.
Tate Nagy
Tate Nagy is an American football player who contributed a 72-yard punt return touchdown during the matchup.
Cutter Boley
Cutter Boley is an American football player who recorded both a passing and a rushing touchdown in the game.
Paige Blake
Paige Blake is a musician who performed a guitar solo of the US national anthem at Wembley Stadium.
The details
Arizona State utilized a mix of defensive prowess and special teams dominance to hold off Kansas in the overseas contest. The spectacle also included a unique musical performance of the US national anthem by Paige Blake on guitar.
Timeline
The Union Jack Classic game took place on September 19, 2026.
Season Trajectory
This international exhibition forces a shift in the standard travel and recovery schedule for both collegiate programs involved. It disrupts the traditional domestic flow of the season and places these teams in a unique global spotlight compared to their conference peers.
The game outcome impacts non-conference standings and early season momentum for both programs. Fantasy participants and bettors should note the high impact of non-offensive scoring, specifically the punt and kickoff return touchdowns, which skewed the final offensive production metrics.
The takeaway
Large-scale international collegiate events continue to test the logistical limits of student-athlete travel and recovery protocols. Fans should watch for how these specialized schedule adjustments affect team performance in subsequent domestic conference games.
Further reading
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