Arizona State’s Cam Skattebo had an eventful New Year’s Day, to say the least.
Down by multiple scores in the second quarter during the College Football Playoff quarterfinal against Texas, the star running back exploded on the sidelines out of frustration as his Sun Devils struggled to get anything going on offense.
The heated moment may have been just the thing Arizona State needed, though.
From there, the Sun Devils mounted a 14-point comeback and tied the game in the fourth quarter thanks to an incredible trick play from Skattebo before they fell 39-31 in double overtime.
Do you think Cam Skattebo is pissed off? pic.twitter.com/ZLBbiMZ0sJ
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) January 1, 2025
Arizona State’s Cam Skattebo wasn’t happy early in Wednesday’s College Football Playoff game against Texas. Awful Announcing / X
With 5:26 to go in the fourth quarter, Skattebo took a toss from quarterback Sam Leavitt, and instead of running for a first down, he hurled a 42-yard touchdown, putting the Sun Devils a two-point conversion away from tying the game.
Moments later, Skattebo ran the ball in and did just that, putting a big-time upset in play.
Skattebo finished with 29 carries for 141 yards and two rushing touchdowns, adding seven catches for 86 yards and the surprise TD pass.
He said he did all this while feeling sick.
“I threw up,” Skattebo told reporters after the loss. ”Drank too much water too fast and I was kind of feeling sloshy and then felt better after.”
CAM SKATTEBO WITH THE 42-YARD TD PASS ON FOURTH DOWN 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/CksEs2NL4K
— ESPN (@espn) January 1, 2025
Arizona State’s Cam Skattebo celebrates after throwing a touchdown pass on Jan. 1, 2025. Getty Images
Arizona State Sun Devils running back Cam Skattebo (4) reacts after losing his helmet while being tackled by Texas Longhorns defensive back Michael Taaffe (16) during the second half of the Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. USA TODAY Sports via Reuters ConThe Sun Devils would force overtime after Longhorns kicker Bert Auburn missed two field goals with just minutes to go in the fourth quarter, a 48-yarder and another 38-yard attempt that bounced off the upright as time expired in regulation.
Arizona State had one of the best seasons in school history, going 11-3 and shockingly winning the Big 12 en route to the College Football Playoff.
Texas was impressed by what they saw from the star running back.
“Skattebo was as advertised,” Texas coach Steve Sarkisian told reporters. “He got stronger, it felt like. You could see he was fatigued, too. It was like a heavyweight fight. He made some really critical plays.”
