After pulling off a miraculous 35-31 come-from-behind win over Kansas on Saturday, two players who were key in clinching ASU’s first Big 12 Conference win in program history were recognized for their efforts.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!With 186 rushing yards and a touchdown from 25 carries, Sun Devil running back Cam Skattebo was named the Big 12 Co-Offensive Player of the Week. Quarterback Sam Leavitt was the Big 12 Newcomer of the Week off of a clutch performance where he completed 14-0f-24 passes for 157 yards and four touchdowns as well as rushing 10 times for an additional 77 yards.
Skatt-Pack ????
Cam Skattebo named @Big12Conference co-offensive player of the week! #ForksUp /// #ActivateTheValley pic.twitter.com/paAT6797K8
— Sun Devil Football (@ASUFootball) October 7, 2024
The young buck ‼️
Sam Leavitt named @Big12Conference newcomer of the week! #ForksUp /// #ActivateTheValley pic.twitter.com/MO9BNLjof4
— Sun Devil Football (@ASUFootball) October 7, 2024
Skattebo and Texas Tech running back Tahj Brooks shared the accolade for the week. Brooks was instrumental in the Red Raiders’ 28-22 win over Arizona on Saturday with 21 carries, 128 yards and three rushing touchdowns.
This is the second time Skattebo received such an award this season after he was also the lone Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week following his historic performance vs. Mississippi State back on Sept. 7. The California native had 33 carries and collected a career-high rushing 262 yards in the 30-23 win, recording the second-most amount of rushing yardage in a single game in Sun Devil football history.
Going down the field right before time expired in the third quarter, Skattebo muscled his way to Kansas’ one-yard line. Then on a direct snap just four seconds into the fourth quarter, he ran to his left and scored the first of three ASU touchdowns in the final frame.
As the team’s biggest star since transferring from Sacramento State two years ago, Skattebo has rushed for 615 yards on 111 carries and scored six touchdowns this season. He also has garnered 15 receptions for 209 yards.
As for Leavitt, the redshirt freshman found wide receiver Xavier Guillory and tight end Chamon Metayer for two touchdowns in the first half before throwing two fourth-quarter touchdown passes to wide receiver Jorydn Tyson, including the game-winning three-yard touchdown with only 16 seconds left in the game.
The Michigan State transfer Leavitt has been impressive in his first season as a Sun Devil. Through five games, the Oregon native has connected on 79-of-134 passes, passing for 1,012 yards and seven touchdowns. Known as being a duel-threat quarterback, he has 49 carries, 257 yards and four rushing touchdowns thus far, contributing mightly to ASU’s 485 yards of total offense.
Having both players at their disposal offensively, Arizona State head coach Kenny Dillingham and offensive coordinator Marcus Arroyo have gotten 872 of the team’s 1,091 total rushing yards this year from just Skattebo (615) and Leavitt (257).
The dangerous duo for ASU will look to build on the 4-1 start to the season when the Sun Devils take on their first ranked opponent of the season, No. 16 Utah (4-1, 1-1), on Friday.
Jordyn Tyson scores last-minute touchdown to propel ASU to wild 35-31 comeback victory over Kansas
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Reporter Alec Cipollini covers the Phoenix Mercury, Suns and ASU Athletics for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @AlecCipollini
