Arizona State will play for Big 12 championship, and its overlooked star deserves Heisman consideration

TUCSON, Ariz. — The Arizona State Sun Devils gathered at midfield, an enormous mass of maroon and gold celebrating Saturday’s 49-7 win against rival Arizona at Arizona Stadium. Suddenly, Cam Skattebo broke from the pack, lifting the Territorial Cup in his right hand and charging for the stands where Arizona State fans awaited.

Skattebo had just rushed for 177 yards and three touchdowns, lifting No. 16 Arizona State to its 10th win and a place in the Big 12 Championship Game, an improbable tale for both the bruising running back and the program he represents.

Heisman Trophy ballots are sent out on Monday. Like his team, Skattebo began the season as an incredible long shot. Also, like his team, Skattebo has shown he belongs.

“He has to be one of the best backs in yards from scrimmage in all of Power 4 football,’’ Arizona State coach Kenny Dillingham said outside the locker room. “How are there many players more impactful than him and what he’s done for this program, picked dead last to playing potentially in the conference championship?”

Colorado two-way star Travis Hunter is the favorite for this season’s Heisman, given to college football’s top player. Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty, Miami quarterback Cam Ward and Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel are strong contenders. The top four finalists travel to New York for the Dec. 14 Heisman ceremony.

Skattebo has never been to the Big Apple. Has it entered his mind?

“I never thought I would be (in this position),” he said.

Does he think he deserves to go?

“Potentially,’’ Skattebo said. “We got more work to do. But, yeah.”

As Skattebo held up the Territorial Cup, the oldest rivalry trophy in the sport, his teammates gathered around him in the corner of Arizona Stadium. Dillingham told officials to get the players already in the locker room to return to the field. Once they did, Dillingham and the Sun Devils sang the school fight song. After the last word, they took the celebration inside.

Skattebo stayed on the field.

He looked down the length of the field and noticed Arizona State fans lined the entire way, from one end zone to the other. Skattebo started making his way down, signing autographs, posing for photos and living in the moment. In the locker room, his coaches and teammates celebrated. Skattebo wasn’t concerned.

“I see those guys every day,’’ he said. “We’ll have our fun later.”

Elite players in college football enter the sport in high regard. Hunter was a five-star high school prospect, the top player in his class. Jeanty was a four-star running back. Coming out of Rio Linda High School in California, Skattebo barely registered, a running back who played like a linebacker.

Skattebo signed with Sacramento State, the only school that offered him a full scholarship. After two seasons, he transferred to Arizona State. In his first season with the Sun Devils, he rushed for 783 yards and nine touchdowns behind a banged-up line. This season, slimmed down and determined, he’s been among the country’s most improved players, the only back who entered Saturday with 1,000-plus rushing yards and 350-plus receiving yards.

“It’s funny because those of us who have watched him grow up — and I talked to his brother last week about it, too — it looks exactly the same,” Skattebo’s high school coach, Jack Garceau, said by phone during Saturday’s game. “It was this way in high school. This way at Sac State. And now it looks this way at ASU. Nothing’s changed. He’s just gotten better and better and better.”

Near the stands, Skattebo grabbed a maroon hat and scribbled “Skatt” in black ink. He shuffled to his left, slapping fives, stopping at a blonde-haired boy who asked him to sign his maroon jersey. Skattebo shifted the boy to the side so he could use his shoulder for support. A security guard informed co-workers that Skattebo was still on the field. A photographer informed the running back that his family waited not far down the line.

Arizona State achieved bowl eligibility after a Nov. 2 win at Oklahoma State. After that game, Dillingham said the Sun Devils (10-2, 7-2 Big 12) were playing with house money. Quarterback Sam Leavitt said that’s when the expanded College Football Playoff first popped into his mind.

“Why not us?” he thought.

Arizona State hasn’t lost since, winners of five in a row, each win bigger than the last, the most memorable march this program has experienced since the Sun Devils went 11-1 during the 1996 season. Leavitt has developed quicker than expected. The offensive line has stayed healthy. The defense has made plays.

“They still surprise me,” Dillingham said. “They’re just a unique, goofy group of misfits that somehow came together and are accomplishing things that are special.”

Skattebo has been the engine. Earlier on ESPN’s “College GameDay,” Nick Saban called him his favorite player in college football.

“This guy, he’s rugged,” the former Alabama coach said. “Tough. I just love a great competitor. He’s all that.”

Skattebo grabbed a cell phone. He held it out as far as his right arm could extend, making sure the fans behind him were in the frame and smiled. He posed in the middle of nine Arizona State cheerleaders. Twenty minutes after the game, Skattebo hugged his family. After a brief conversation, he turned and jogged to the locker room. Fans serenaded him along the way.

“Skatt for Heis-man!”

“Skatt for Heis-man!”

(Photo of Cam Skattebo (left) and Kenny Dillingham: Christopher Hook / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)