ATLANTA — Cam Skattebo, his voice raw and weary, kept repeating the word over and over again: “Undeniable.” This season, this game, this Arizona State team … undeniable. Skattebo and the rest of his Sun Devil brethren had just come up on the losing end of one of the finest games of the 2024 college football season, a playoff quarterfinal where Arizona State took Texas to the limit and beyond. Yes, the Sun Devils lost to Texas, 39-31, in double overtime. The Longhorns move on, the Sun Devils head home. But the Peach Bowl marked an unlikely, glorious culmination of a magical season for Arizona State, the kind of season you hope for and dream about, the kind of season you’ll talk about for decades to come.
Arizona State wasn’t supposed to be here. Hell, Arizona State wasn’t supposed to be anywhere. Picked to finish at the bottom of the Big 12 under second-year coach Kenny Dillingham, the Sun Devils surprised the entire college football universe by storming through their conference, winning their championship, and then very nearly upsetting one of the game’s blue bloods. Skattebo was the beating heart of Arizona State this season, a 5-foot-11, 215-pound bowling ball hurling himself headfirst to the match. Quick rather than fast, Skattebo doesn’t bother running around you when running over you or through you is so much more effective. He did plenty of both on Wednesday at the Peach Bowl, gashing the Texas defense for 143 yards and two touchdowns on the ground, another 99 yards through the air (with 74 yards coming after catches), and, just for good measure, a 42-yard touchdown pass.
When Arizona State fell behind by two touchdowns, Skattebo simply hoisted the team onto his back and began stomping some Longhorn hide. “We fought through everything all season,” Skattebo said after the game, at a podium with head coach Dillingham and quarterback Sam Leavitt at his side. “I bet you nobody in this room thought we were going to even be close when we went down 17-3 in the first quarter … Everybody on this team believes in each other and that's what kept us close.” Well, along with Skattebo's undeniable performance on the field.
On his first play from scrimmage, he ran for 10 yards, and he didn’t stop running the rest of the game. Asked about Skattebo’s impact on everything the game meant, Dillingham just shook his head in admiration and disbelief. “I mean, this is just a Tuesday for Cam,” he laughed wearily. “Wednesday,” Skattebo helpfully corrected. “Good point. He's a special player,” Dillingham continued. “You give him the ball, crazy things happen.” Even Skattebo’s setbacks were dramatic. He was clearly off early on, and when asked what was troubling him, he was forthright. “I mean, I threw up,” he said. “I drank too much water too fast, and I was kind of feeling sloshy, and then felt good afterward.” “Puke and rally,” Dillingham said with laughter.
With the conclusion of his college football eligibility now on the horizon, Skattebo is gearing up for the NFL Draft. Currently, he isn’t projected as one of the top picks, but he seems unfazed. He was regarded as a lightly regarded recruit coming out of high school, committing to Sacramento State before transferring to Arizona State. “Us three right here, we got a long life ahead of us,” Skattebo said, waving at Dillingham and Leavitt. “This is just the beginning for us. No matter what, these guys will be my life forever. So it's awesome I was able to play football for and with them.”
Though they lost the battle, Arizona State proved its ability to fight against elite teams, offering hope for fans hoping for greater heights. The Peach Bowl served as another example of how the sport reveals unexpected tales—where overlooked players earn recognition and unheralded squads command respect. Skattebo’s dominant presence on-field is the stuff of legends, as he painted his own narrative with decisive plays. Despite being irked earlier on about not having the ball enough, he took it upon himself to show his intentions, leading his team through the second half.
Reflecting on their performance, Skattebo didn't just showcase stats; he underscored the entire essence of teamwork amid their struggles. “I was kind of feeling upset about how things were going early on during the game,” he revealed. “I didn’t get enough touches, but I realized I needed to support my teammates.” The extraordinary running back displayed boundaries above mere numbers, as he blended passion and competitiveness with experiences shared along the way. Coach Dillingham reinforced this sentiment during the post-game remarks. If Skattebo's fervor and competitiveness are considered negative aspects, Dillingham expressed confusion over the foundation of sports. “The kid is competitive. The kid is passionate. And if that's viewed as negative, then I don't know what positivity looks like because kids who care... are the reasons why we had a chance to win this game.”
So, what lies ahead for Cam Skattebo after the Peach Bowl? A promising door to the NFL awaits, with boundless opportunities and tales still waiting to be penned. His brazen and explosive style of gameplay will be hard to forget for Arizona State fans—and as the echoes of the Peach Bowl fade, his impact resonates. It’s not everyday teams like Arizona State rise to such heights, and yet it’s athletes like Skattebo who invariably make it all seem undeniable.