ATLANTA — Kam Skatebo repeated the word “undeniable” over and over again in a raw, tired voice. This season, this game, this Arizona State team…it’s an undeniable fact.
Scatterbo and his fellow Sun Devils had just faced one of the best games of the 2024 college football season, a repechage game in the playoff quarterfinals where Arizona State pushed Texas to the limit.
Yes, the Sun Devils lost to Texas 39-31 after two overtimes. The Longhorns advance and the Sun Devils go home. But for Arizona State, the Peach Bowl was the unlikely and glorious culmination of a season that everyone expects and dreams of, and one that will be talked about for decades to come. Remember when we were one play behind?
Arizona State wasn’t supposed to be here. Arizona State University was supposed to be in the middle of nowhere. Picked last in the Big 12 under second-year coach Kenny Dillingham, the Sun Devils tore through the conference to win a championship and even came close to upsetting one of the game’s blue bloodlines. , which shocked the entire college football world.
Scattebo has been the heart of Arizona State this season, throwing bowling balls into opponents’ chests at 5-foot-11, 215 pounds. Faster than fast, Skattebo is much more effective when running over and through people without having to bother running around them.
He did plenty of both in Wednesday’s Peach Bowl, beating the Texas defense with 143 yards and two touchdowns on the ground, and gaining an additional 99 yards through the air (74 after the catch) and, for reference, 42 yards. was recorded. -yard touchdown pass. With Arizona State falling behind by two touchdowns, Skatebo hoisted his team on his back and began stomping on the Longhorn hide. The kind of mess that makes them write songs about you or tell legends of your exploits around the campfire.
“We fought through everything we did all season,” Skatebo said after the game at the podium with head coach Dillingham and quarterback Sam Leavitt. “When we were down 17-3 in that first quarter, I don’t think anyone in this room thought we would get close…Everyone on this team believes in each other and that’s what made us. That’s why I kept getting closer.”
Well, that and the fact that Skattebo is completely unstoppable. On the first play from scrimmage he ran 10 yards and didn’t stop running for the rest of the game. Asked about Skatebo’s influence on everything about the game other than kicking, Dillingham just shook his head in admiration and disbelief.
“I mean, it’s just another Tuesday for Cam,” he said with a tired laugh.
“Wednesday,” Skatebo corrected helpfully.
“Good point. He’s a special player,” Dillingham continued. “When you give him the ball, something crazy happens.”
Even Skatebo’s setback is dramatic. He was clearly not feeling well early in the game, but when asked what was bothering him, he answered candidly.
“I mean, I threw up,” he said. “I drank too much water too quickly and felt kind of sluggish, but I felt better afterwards.”
“Throw up and cheer yourself up,” Dillingham said with a laugh.
Scatebo is currently ineligible and will head to the NFL Draft. He hasn’t gotten much attention yet — Yahoo Sports’ draft experts don’t project him to be a first-round pick — but that’s probably a good fit for him. He was underplayed as a recruit coming out of high school, went to Sacramento State before transferring to Arizona State, and look where he is now.
“The three of us here have a long life ahead of us,” Skatterbo said, motioning to Dillingham and Leavitt. “This is just the beginning for us. No matter what happens, they will be in my life forever. So it’s great to be able to play football for them and with them.” That’s it.”
These are the kinds of stories that come to the College Football Playoff, moments when underlooked teams face elite teams, moments when overlooked rookies find glory and unexpected new ground. Arizona State University has proven it’s possible. Kam Skatebo proved that it is possible.
