Arizona State Sun Devils running back Cam Skattebo put up a performance for the ages during the College Football Playoff quarterfinal game against the Texas Longhorns in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl.
After falling behind 24-8 with just over 10 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, Skattebo, a senior out of Rio Linda, California, pulled out some heroics. Now, many more college football fans are putting him in the same conversation as Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty.
With 6:31 left and the Sun Devils facing a fourth-down situation, coach Kenny Dillingham used a trick play and had Skattebo throw a pass deep before wide receiver Malik McClain came up with it and sprinted into the end zone for a 42-yard score. Arizona State converted a two-point conversion to make it a one-possession game.
On Texas’ next drive, Quinn Ewers threw an interception, giving the ball right back to ASU. After a couple of penalties on the Longhorns’ defense and a 62-yard catch from Skattebo, the running back was able to convert a two-yard touchdown run and the conversion as well to tie it up.
Following Boise State’s disappointing CFP game against Penn State in the Fiesta Bowl, where Jeanty failed to break Barry Sanders’ single-season rushing yards record, many are now saying that Skattebo is the best running back in college football over the Heisman finalist.
“CAM SKATTEBO > ASHTON JEANTY,” one fan said.
“Cam Skattebo may actually be better than Ashton Jeanty,” wrote another.
“Man idk give me Cam Skattebo over Ashton Jeanty,” added a third.
“Cam Skattebo is who they tried to tell you Ashton Jeanty was,” commented a fourth.
“Can Skattebo is who Ashton Jeanty wishes he was,” posted a fifth.
“Cam Skattebo is infinitely better than Ashton Jeanty. Argue with your fridge,” claimed a sixth.
Arizona State Sun Devils running back Cam Skattebo
© Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
Jeanty finished the 31-14 Fiesta Bowl loss with 30 carries for 104 yards and two fumbles. He was able to move to second in the single-season rushing yards leaderboard but fell just 28 yards shy of the record.
Still, both Jeanty and Skattebo could be intriguing prospects for NFL teams in the upcoming 2025 draft.
