Arizona State Upsets No. 16 Utah 27-19 with Cam Skattebo's 156-Yard, 2-Touchdown Performance

Arizona State

Kenny Dillingham was riding high after Arizona State's thrilling 27-19 upset over No. 16 Utah, joining a jubilant student mosh pit in celebration. The energy was infectious as the Arizona State coach, who once played for the Sun Devils, reveled in the victory, exclaiming, “I was one of these guys! I was doing this!”

After a challenging 3-9 season marked by injuries, Dillingham's team is making waves in the Big 12 with a 5-1 record, their best start since 2019. Despite losing quarterback Sam Leavitt for a significant part of the game, running back Cam Skattebo stepped up, rushing for 158 yards and scoring two touchdowns.

In a standout moment during the third quarter, Skattebo showcased his strength and agility with a remarkable 50-yard touchdown run, breaking tackles and maintaining his balance. He sealed the win with another impressive 47-yard touchdown dash in the fourth quarter. “We beat the No. 16 team in the country,” Skattebo said confidently. “Who says we can’t beat anyone else?”

Utah, now 4-2, struggled offensively despite the return of quarterback Cameron Rising, who had missed three games due to a finger injury. Rising faced challenges throughout the game, throwing three interceptions and completing only 16 of 37 passes for 209 yards. “I wasn't able to get them the ball accurately,” Rising admitted, as the Utes failed to capitalize on numerous opportunities, scoring just one touchdown in seven trips inside Arizona State's 30-yard line.

Running back Micah Bernard led Utah’s offense with 129 rushing yards and a touchdown, but their inability to convert in the red zone ultimately cost them. Coach Kyle Whittingham emphasized the importance of improving their scoring efficiency: “As long as we continue to have our woes in the red zone, we may not win another game.”

On the defensive side, linebacker Caleb McCullough had a standout performance for Arizona State, recording 12 tackles and two interceptions, including a crucial pick in the fourth quarter. “He was one of the few guys who stayed through all the mess,” Dillingham noted, praising McCullough's resilience.

With Skattebo emerging as one of the nation’s top running backs and the defense showing marked improvement, Arizona State is poised for a potential ranking for the first time since 2021. Meanwhile, Utah will need to regroup as they prepare to host TCU next Saturday, while Arizona State heads to Cincinnati.

Arizona State Upsets No. 16 Utah 27-19 with Cam Skattebo's 156-Yard, 2-Touchdown Performance