NFL
By: Ashmere Prasad
Arizona State was predicted to finish last in the Big 12 conference after a 3-9 season in the PAC-12 last season. Instead of listening to the outside noise, the team played with a chip on its shoulder the entire season and is now the Big 12 Champion.
The Sun Devils ran all over the Cyclone’s defense, (literally) thanks to their all-star running back Cam Skattebo.
Skattebo (Sr.) was the ninth-ranked running back in the country going into this matchup and was highly regarded for his ground game. His electric energy was ASU’s offense. Skattebo ended the game with 170 yards on the ground, two rushing touchdowns, and a receiving touchdown. Pair that lethal offense with three takeaways from the defense – two fumbles and an interception in the third quarter, the Cyclones were spiraling in the wrong direction.
Coach Kenny Dillingham has inspired a major change in the ASU football program and it shows. During his postgame press conference, he explained how mature and communicative this team is.
“You can force coach-led leadership, which is needed at times but if your players aren’t feeding the same vision or the same message you’re gonna be capped at how good you can be. These guys have unbelievable maturity about themselves to lead their team. What other team has their players giving pregame and halftime speeches? That’s not fake, that’s just what our team is.”
Following Dillingham’s closing words, the team spoke highly of one another. QB Sam Levaitt gave Skattebo his well-deserved flowers, DB Xavion Alford explained how the defensive backs worked all summer long to have one of the best secondaries in the country, and the compliments continued. It’s apparent this team’s chemistry is unmatched, and they are using the underdog conversation to fuel their fire (which is working).
The Sun Devils were named fourth in the College Football Playoff Standings and earned themselves a bye week. They’ll head to Atlanta on New Year’s Day and face the winner of the Clemson-Texas matchup.
