TEMPE — Arizona State stunned No. 16 Utah 27-19 at Mountain America Stadium to get their first win over a ranked opponent since 2019.
Cam Skattebo and linebacker Caleb McCullough led the Sun Devils charge. Skattebo rushed for 158 yards and two touchdowns, while McCullough collected 12 tackles and two interceptions, one of which sealed the game in the final moments.
Arizona State (5-1, 2-1 Big 12) started strong, overcoming an early 6-0 deficit. Quarterback Sam Leavitt led an 81-yard drive capped by a 26-yard touchdown pass to Jordyn Tyson.
Backup quarterback Jeff Sims replaced the injured Leavitt to direct the next Sun Devils score. Sims’ two-yard plunge into the end zone gave ASU a 13-6 lead.
The Utes (4-2, 1-2 Big 12), playing without their star quarterback Cameron Rising for most of the game, struggled offensively. Rising, who returned from a finger injury, threw three interceptions and completed only 16 of his 37 pass attempts for 209 yards.
Utah managed to put up points in the red zone but settled for field goals on three of their four trips inside ASU’s 30-yard line.
Head coach Kenny Dillingham praised his team’s effort. “We fought, man! We competed!” he exclaimed during a postgame interview that quickly went viral for its raw emotion and connection with fans.
Skattebo thrilled the home crowd with a 50-yard touchdown run in the third quarter. He added another chunk touchdown run – a 47-yarder- to bring his game-high rushing yardage total to 157 yards on 22 carries.
“Who says we can’t beat anybody else?” Skattebo said after the game.
Arizona State’s defense played a crucial role in the victory. McCullough’s interceptions were pivotal, especially the one that halted a potential Utah scoring drive right before halftime. The Sun Devils limited the Utes to just one touchdown, forcing them into field goals instead of allowing them to capitalize on their offensive drives.
Utah held a brief 16-13 thanks to a 6-yard touchdown run by Micah Bernard. Bernard led the Utes rushing attack with 129 yards on 21 carries.
The Sun Devils responded with a 4-play, 75-yard drive capped by Skattebo’s big run.
Dillingham added perspective on the team’s direction following the win. “It shows that we’re trending in the right direction,” he said.
Next up:
Arizona State goes on the road next week to face Cincinnati on October 19. Meanwhile, Utah will aim to rebound at home against TCU.
Game Photos
All photos Kevin C. Cox, Maximum Exposure for CORE360 Sports