TUCSON, Ariz. — The Arizona State Sun Devils celebrated a 49-7 victory over rival Arizona at Arizona Stadium on Saturday, gathering at midfield in a giant mass of maroon and gold. Suddenly, Cam Skatebo broke away from the crowd, held up the Territorial Cup in his right hand, and charged towards the stands where Arizona State fans were waiting.
Scatterbo had just thrown for 177 yards and three touchdowns to propel No. 16 Arizona State to its 10th win and a Big 12 Championship Game berth, which was a tough day for the bruised running back. It was an impossible story for the program he represents.
Heisman Trophy ballots will be mailed out on Monday. Like his team, Skatebo started the season as an incredible long shot. And like his team, Skatebo also showed he belonged.
“He's got to be one of the best backs in all of Power 4 football from distance from scrimmage,” Arizona State coach Kenny Dillingham said outside the locker room. “How many players have been more impactful than him because of what he’s done for this program, the last guy selected to potentially play in a conference championship?”
Colorado two-way star Travis Hunter is the favorite for this season's Heisman, which is given to college football's top player. Boise State running back Ashton Giunty, Miami State quarterback Cam Ward and Oregon State quarterback Dillon Gabriel are likely candidates. The top four finalists will travel to New York for the Heisman ceremony on Dec. 14.
Skatebo has never been to the Big Apple. Did it penetrate his mind?
“I never thought I'd be (in this position),” he said.
Does he think he deserves to go?
“That's a possibility,” Skatebo said. “We still have a lot of work to do. But yeah.”
The person of the time. pic.twitter.com/rSfIoUAH8v
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As Skatebo hoisted the Territorial Cup, the sport's oldest rivalry trophy, his teammates gathered around him in a corner of Arizona Stadium. Dillingham directed officials to get players already in the locker room and back on the field. When it was over, Dillingham and the Sun Devils sang the school fight song. After the final words, they celebrated indoors.
Skatebo remained on the field.
He looked down across the field and noticed Arizona State fans lined up all the way from one end of the end zone to the other. Skatebo signed autographs, posed for photos, and began his descent, living in the moment. Coaches and teammates celebrated in the locker room. Skatebo didn't care.
“I see those guys every day,” he said. “Let's have some fun later.”
College football's elite players enter the sport with high ratings. Hunter was a five-star high school prospect and the top player in his class. Giunty was a four-star running back. A product of California's Rio Linda High School, Scattebo was a barely registered running back who played more like a linebacker.
Skatebo signed with Sacramento State University, the only school that offered him a full scholarship. After two seasons, he transferred to Arizona State University. In his first season with the Sun Devils, he ran for 783 yards and nine touchdowns against a strong line. Lean and determined this season, he's one of the most improved players in the country and the only back entering Saturday with over 1,000 rushing yards and 350 receiving yards.
“It's interesting for those of us who have watched him grow up. I talked to his brother about it last week, and he looks exactly the same,” Skatebo's high school coach Jack Garceau said by phone during Saturday's game. body,” he said. “He was like this in high school. This is Sac State. And now it's like this at ASU. Nothing has changed. He just kept getting better and better.”
Near the stands, Scattebo grabbed his maroon hat and scribbled on it. “Scut” with black ink. He shuffled to his left and took a five-pointer, stopping in front of a blond-haired boy and asking him to autograph his maroon jersey. Skatebo moved the boy to the side so he could use his shoulders to support himself. The guard told his colleagues that Skatebo was still on the field. The photographer told the running back that his family was waiting nearby.
Arizona State defeated Oklahoma State on November 2nd to earn a bowl berth. After that game, Dillingham said the Sun Devils (10-2, 7-2 Big 12) were playing with house money. Quarterback Sam Leavitt said that's when the idea of an expanded College Football Playoff first came to mind.
“Why not us?” he thought.
Arizona State hasn't lost since and has won five in a row, each win bigger than the last, the most the program has seen since the Sun Devils went 11-1 during the 1996 season. It was a memorable march. Levitt grew up faster than expected. The offensive line remains healthy. The defense made plays.
“They still amaze me,” Dillingham said. “They're just a group of unique, goofy misfits who somehow come together and accomplish something special.”
Skatebo is the engine. At the beginning of ESPN's “College GameDay,” Nick Saban called him his favorite player in college football.
“This guy is tough,” the former Alabama coach said. “Tough. I just love a great rival. That's all he is.”
Skatebo grabbed his cell phone. He held it out as far as he could with his right arm and smiled, making sure the fans behind him were in the frame. He posed in the middle of nine Arizona State University cheerleaders. Twenty minutes after the game, Skatebo hugged his family. After a short conversation, he turned and trotted off to the locker room. Fans serenaded him along the way.
“Scutt for Heisman!”
“Scutt for Heisman!”
(Photo of Cam Skatebo (left) and Kenny Dillingham: Christopher Hook / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
