By Jay Berry
The Arizona State Sun Devils did not look good for most of the game. However, the momentum changed in the fourth quarter, led by standout running back Cam Skattebo.
The Longhorns held Skattebo in check during the first half of the game. Skattebo finished the first half with 13 carries for 45 yards, while QB Sam Leavitt was 15 of 27 for 99 yards. They trailed Texas 17–3.
Skattebo would go on to make Peach Bowl history and college football history.
According to CBS Sports, Skattebo is the first player in College Football Playoff history with 100 yards rushing and 80 yards receiving. He’s also the first player in at least the last 25 years with 100-plus yards rushing, 80-plus yards receiving, two touchdowns rushing, and one passing touchdown in a single game.
Peach Bowl Legend
We were about to witness a college football New Year’s performance for the ages. Although the Sun Devils would end up losing in double overtime 39–31, they made the Peach Bowl the most entertaining playoff game so far this season.
Skattebo ended with 30 carries for 143 yards and two touchdowns, averaging 4.8 yards per carry. He also caught eight passes for 99 yards. He impacted the game in a massive way on the ground and out of the backfield as a receiver and threw a 42-yard touchdown.
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Following the game, Skattebo made history when he was named the Peach Bowl MVP. His award was the first time in 26 years that a player on the losing team won the MVP award.
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He had this to say at the post game press conference. “Undeniable. We fought through everything all season,” Skattebo said. “I mean, we let them hang the whole year. We gave everything we had, and you saw it in that game. We never stopped.”
Skattebo had to overcome a lot of adversity in the game. He was reportedly experiencing flu-like symptoms, and the ESPN broadcast showed him exhausted on the sidelines. The announcers also mentioned that he was seen vomiting.
The Peach Bowl loss ended Arizona State’s season, but they had one heck of a ride this year. After finishing 3–9 in 2003, they weren’t on anyone’s radar in 2024. Conference alignment also provided many unknowns and fantastic parity during the regular season.
That impressive turnaround earned head coach Kenny Dillingham a contract extension. The day before the Peach Bowl, Dillingham agreed to a five-year contract extension.
While Texas avoided the upset as two-touchdown favorites, the challenge gets as big as they get in the next round when they face the Ohio State Buckeyes. Who are coming off a dominant performance with a 41–21 win over Oregon.
The Longhorns must determine how to make their offense more efficient against that powerhouse Buckeyes defense. On defense, Texas must figure out how to stop Ohio State’s deep arsenal of playmakers.
The Cotton Bowl semi-final will be held on Friday, January 10th, at 7:30 PM Eastern Time. Whatever your thoughts are on the 12-team playoff, Texas and Arizona State gave college football fans a much-needed epic playoff game ending. Let’s see if the Georgia-Notre Dame Sugar Bowl can also provide us with some epic shining moments.
