10/12/24 02:21:00
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10/12 02:18 CDT Cam Skattebo runs for 156 yards and 2 TDs, Arizona State knocks
off No. 16 Utah 27-19
Cam Skattebo runs for 156 yards and 2 TDs, Arizona State knocks off No. 16 Utah
27-19
By JOHN MARSHALL
AP Sports Writer
TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) --- Kenny Dillingham screamed through an adrenaline-fueled
interview and got caught up in a student mosh pit.
The sea of humanity enveloping him, the Arizona State coach and alum joined in,
jumping and shouting with the students after Arizona State's 27-19 victory over
No. 16 Utah on Friday night.
"I was one of these guys! I was doing this!" Dillingham said, bouncing with the
crowd before disappearing.
A year after suffering through an injury-plagued, 3-9 first season,
Dillingham's Sun Devils have already made their mark in the Big 12.
Arizona State (5-1, 2-1 Big 12) is off to its best start since opening the 2019
season 5-1 and notched its biggest victory under Dillingham despite losing
quarterback Sam Leavitt for most of the second quarter.
Cam Skattebo had a lot to do with it.
The bulldozing running back punished the Utes all night, finishing with 158
yards and two touchdowns.
In the third quarter, Skattebo broke several tackles, put his hand down to keep
his balance and stiff-armed another tackler for a 50-yard touchdown run.
Skattebo put the game all but out of reach in the fourth quarter, breaking a
tackle then outrunning Utah's defense for a 47-yard touchdown dash.
"We beat the No. 16 team in the country," Skattebo said. "Who says we can't
beat anybody else?"
The Utes (4-2, 1-2) had plenty chances in quarterback Cameron Rising's return
from missing three games with a finger injury.
Rising was mostly ineffective, limited by the hand injury and a first-quarter
leg injury that limited him the rest of the game. The seventh-year senior threw
three interceptions and finished 16 for 37 for 209 yards.
"Those guys did a great job of getting open, but I wasn't able to get them the
ball and throw it accurate," Rising said. "We just weren't able to move it
because of that."
Rising's issues were only part of Utah's problems.
The Utes spent most of the night failing to capitalize, scoring one touchdown
in seven trips across Arizona State's 30.
Rising threw an interception at Arizona State's 9, Utah turned it over on downs
early in the fourth quarter and the Utes had to settle for field goals on four
more trips inside Arizona State's 30. The last, by Cole Becker from 46 yards in
the fourth quarter, came after a pass-interference penalty against Money Parks
negated Mycah Pittman's 12-yard touchdown catch.
Micah Bernard carried Utah's offense most of the night, running for 129 yards
and a touchdown.
"As long as we continue to have our woes in the red zone, we may not win
another game," Utah coach Kyle Whittingham said. "That's just how important it
is."
McCullough's night
Caleb McCoullough entered his senior season having spent his entire career at
Arizona State despite consecutive 3-9 seasons.
The linebacker had his best game against Utah.
McCullough had 12 tackles --- 1 1/2 for a loss --- and snagged two
interceptions, including the game clincher in the fourth quarter.
"He's a guy who was here through all the mess, through all the bad things that
were happening," Dillingham said. "He was one of the few guys who stayed and
for him to make that play is awesome."
The takeaway
Skattebo has been one of the nation's most versatile running backs and seems to
get better later in games. His hard running and an improved defense may lead to
Arizona State earning its first ranking since 2021. Utah will likely drop out
of the AP Top 25 after its second straight loss.
Up next
Utah: Hosts TCU next Saturday.
Arizona State: At Cincinnati next Saturday.
___
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