Arizona State running back Cameron Skattebo mauls the Mississippi State defense all night, averaging 7.9 yards per carry on 33 rushing attempts. (Photo by Spencer Barnes/Cronkite News)
Cameron Skattebo runs through a hole set up by his offensive line, which Skattebo credits for his 262 rushing yards and ASU’s 30-23 win. (Photo by Spencer Barnes/Cronkite News)
Arizona State football, led by Cameron Skattebo’s 262 rushing yards, earns its first SEC win in a 30-23 victory over Mississippi State on Saturday. (Photo by Spencer Barnes/Cronkite News)
TEMPE – To say Cam Skattebo had a good game is an understatement.
Skattebo was the fulcrum of the Sun Devils offense against Mississippi State, rushing for 262 yards and a pair of touchdowns on 33 carries. He also caught three passes for 35 yards.
Skattebo’s 262 rushing yards are the second most in school history and earned the senior running back Associated Press national player of the week honors. He saved his best highlight for last, breaking off a 39-yard run that allowed Arizona State to set up in victory formation and run out the clock for a 30-23 win in front of more than 45,000 fans at Mountain America Stadium.
Before the game, the idea of Skattebo taking on the brunt of the offensive might have seemed unfathomable – except to Skattebo.
He said that, after ASU trounced Wyoming 48-7 in the Sun Devils’ season opener, he suspected that coach Kenny Dillingham and offensive coordinator Marcus Arroyo would ask him to do more against Mississippi State.
And the Sun Devils were prepared for what the Bulldogs defense had in store for them.
“We did a great job in practice all week preparing for the four-down and the three-down front,” Skattebo said. “I expected to get a lot of carries, but that’s not an every week thing. I’m grateful that my teammates trust me to carry the load offensively.”
There wasn’t a better time for Skattebo’s career game, as it helped deliver Arizona State’s first win over an SEC opponent in school history. His dominant performance wouldn’t have been possible without impressive blocking from his offensive line, as the Sun Devils averaged 6.1 yards per carry.
Cam Skattebo rings the bell after rushing for 262 yards – the most rushing yards since Eno Benjamin in 2018 and the second most in school history. (Photo by Spencer Barnes/Cronkite News)
“At the beginning of the season, the offensive line room knew that we were going to be running the ball frequently,” said Arizona State offensive lineman Leif Fautuna. “Blocking for Skat (Skattebo) – who’s very emotional, very passionate when he’s on the field – is a blessing.
“When he’s running, all we have to do is clear a path, and he’ll do the rest – especially in short yardage situations. He mauls people over to pick up first downs.”
While 2023 was a forgettable season for the Sun Devils, Skattebo was a bright spot. In his first year at ASU after transferring from Sacramento State, the do-everything back ran 164 times for 788 yards and nine touchdowns. He caught 24 passes for 286 yards and a touchdown and completed six of 15 pass attempts for 130 yards and another score. And just for good measure, Skattebo also came on in quick-kick situations to average 42.3 yards on eight punts.
Many might have considered that a good first season for the running from Rio Linda, California. Dillingham isn’t one of those people. He wanted more out of the 5-foot-11, 215-pound bruiser.
“I told Cam after last year, ‘Listen, if you want to be a Sunday player (in the NFL), you have to get better, because right now, you’re not one,’” Dillingham said. “I’ve been lucky to coach six running backs (as a) coordinator. Five out of the six have played on Sundays. And that has nothing to do with me, I’m fortunate to coach good players.
“I challenged him to drop weight, get in better shape, get faster and control your passion – channel your passion the right way. And he’s done everything I’ve asked. Right now, he looks like a Sunday player.”
Fautuna has seen an improved version of Skattebo off the field, too, although he still needs an occasional reminder about channeling that passion.
“He (Cam) grew as a leader this offseason and has found a stronger voice,” Fautuna said. “He cares deeply about the standard of the team, and he’s very passionate about what he does. And you guys can tell, he wants to handle the rock every play.
“Sometimes you have to tone him down a little bit when he gets over-passionate. At the same time, he’s a very emotionally intelligent person. That’s what we love to have in the backfield and as a leader in the locker room.”
