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Skattebo, Sun Devil FB Unable to Obtain Upset over No. 5 USC ASU Website September 24, 2023 Game Recap: Football | September 24, 2023 | Zach Wargo, Media Relations Assistant Skattebo, Sun Devil Football Unable to Obtain Upset over No. 5 Trojans Cam Skattebo's 190 all-purpose yards led the Sun Devil offense to 28 points TEMPE ? Cam Skattebo and the Sun Devil Football (1-3, 0-1 Pac-12) squad went toe-to-toe with the reigning Heisman winner Caleb Williams and No. 5 USC Trojans (4-0, 1-0 Pac-12) to pull within three points in the third quarter. But the Sun Devil offense was unable to keep up with USC's offense in a 42-28 loss in front of a sold-out audience at Mountain America Stadium Saturday night. Despite the defeat, the Sun Devil defense forced the Trojan's lowest point total since the 2022 Pac-12 Championship game where they scored 24 points against No. 11 Utah. Drew Pyne started at quarterback throwing for 221 yards, 21-for-36 with two touchdowns on the night. "I think our guys realize we have the ability. So the belief factor that they know that we can go out there and win football games," head coach Kenny Dillingham said, "Let's prepare more than we've ever prepared. So the positives I would say, I think our brotherhood is growing. I think players are feeding off each other more. I think the belief in the vision is still rising, the belief in the process is still rising and those are the things that excite me." "This was activating the valley, to see all the fans in the stands like that, to see the Valley like that, that's what we need every game. And if we get that every game, you're going to get the play that you guys want every game earliest." Dillingham said. Skattebo accounted for every asset in the ASU offense, even in special teams. The Sacramento State transfer raced for 111 yards on the ground, 79 yards receiving, throwing for 42 yards and featuring a 53-yard punt that landed inside the Trojans' own 20-yard line. The junior also bulldozed for his third rushing touchdown of the season and caught the fifth receiving touchdown of his collegiate career in the fourth quarter, his first since Oct. 15, 2022 against Eastern Washington. It marks the first time since Xazavian Valladay that a running back had a rushing touchdown and a receiving touchdown in the same game since Oct. 8, 2022 where ASU upset No. 21 Washington. "I like to do everything. I believe I could do everything. So when they put me in those situations, I believe I'm gonna excel at them with the help of this dude right here. He made it happen on one of them." Cam Skattebo said. "We knew we could run the ball on these guys and it was working. So we stuck with it. We called our shots when our shots needed to be called." Elijah Badger found success with a career high nine receptions for 88 yards, adding a his second touchdown of the season in the third quarter top pull ASU within three. Going into the game he had nine receptions all season. Jalin Conyers returned to action with five receptions for 71 yards. His five receptions moves him into the top-10 for most receptions by an ASU tight end in program history with 55 in his career. The number five team in the country opened the contest with a 3rd & 20 deep in their own territory, then Williams completed a 22 yard reception to Zachariah Branch to keep the drive alive. Williams would later scramble for a one yard touchdown to spot the Trojans an early 7-0 lead. YEARS WHERE THREE ASU QUARTERBACKS STARTED (1996-PRESENT) 2023: Jaden Rashada (2), Trenton Bourguet (1), Drew Pyne (1) 2016: Manny Wilkins (10), Brady White, Dillon Sterling Cole 2009: Danny Sullivan (9), Samson Szakacsy (2), Brock Osweiler 2000: Jeff Krohn (9), Griffin Goodman (2), Ryan Kealy 1998: Ryan Kealy (9), Steve Campbell (1), Chad Elliot Following a Sun Devil punt, the Trojans immediately gave the ball right back after Marshawn Lloyd fumbled for the first time in his collegiate career, making it the second turnover of USC's season. After two plays, Skattebo rumbled his way for a 15-yard touchdown to tie to score at seven halfway through the first quarter. USC responded with an 87-yard drive showcasing Williams ability to extend plays despite facing a rowdy Sun Devil crowd which forced five pre-snap penalties in the opening quarter alone. Facing a fourth-and-seven, the D.C native effortlessly dropped in a 43-yard touchdown to Brenden Rice, making it 14-7. On the ensuing possession to begin the second quarter, the Sun Devils drove inside the USC red-zone that resulted in Dario Longhetto knocking a 35-yard field goal to cut the Trojan lead to four. ASU attempted an onside kick which resulted in short field position for USC. Five plays later Williams' second rushing touchdown of the night came on a quarterback sneak putting the Trojans up 21-10. The Sun Devils orchestrated their third straight scoring drive of the game, going 64-yards taking six minutes off the clock. Elijah Badger caught a 25-yard pass on 4th and five to move ASU into Trojan terrtority, then Pyne caught a pass 17 yards to set up Longhetto's 30 yard field goal cutting the USC lead 21-13 going into the break. The Trojans forced the Sun Devils to punt to open the half, and were driving toward the ASU red-zone, but Prince Dorbah powered through the USC front line and sacked Williams for the second time, prompting a 53-yard field goal pushing their lead to 11. On the next drive, the Sun Devils only needed 108 seconds that ended with Drew Pyne dropping a dime to Badger for a 25-yard touchdown pass, his second of the season. Skattebo then bullied his way for the two-point conversion to make it 24-21 Trojans. USC quickly worked its way inside the red-zone, but the Sun Devil defense forced a field-goal, 27-21 in favor of the Trojans. USC intercepted Pyne for the first turnover of the night, but the Trojans were stopped on 4th down to keep it a one-possession game going into the fourth quarter. After both sides traded punts, USC capitalized on a Pyne fumble that featured Williams' tossing a 29-yard touchdown to Brenden Rice, putting the opposition ahead 35-21. On the ensuing Sun Devil drive, Skattebo made a game-saving 52-yard touchdown reception on 4th-and-7 where he rattled off two tackles to bring the Maroon & Gold within seven points, 35-28, electrifying Mountain America Stadium. But the reigning Heisman trophy winner quickly made it a 14-point contest again in 48 seconds, tossing his third touchdown to Tahj Washington for 45 yards. ASU attempted to orchestrate another scoring drive, but failed to convert on 4th-and-17. The Sun Devils hit the road for the first time this season against California on Sept. 30 at 12 p.m. AZT. Coverage can be seen on Pac-12 Network and can be heard on the airwaves on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM with Tim Healey and Jeff Van Raaphorst on the call. SUN DEVIL FOOTBALL VS. ASSOCIATED PRESS TOP-FIVE TEAMS AT HOME Sept. 23, 2023: #5 USC 42, ASU 28 Oct. 14, 2017: ASU 13, #5 Washington 7 Oct. 18, 2012: #2 Oregon 43, ASU 21 Sept. 25, 2010: #5 Oregon 42, ASU 31 Sept. 20, 2008: #3 Georgia 27, ASU 10 Oct. 1, 2005: #1 USC 38, #14 ASU 28 Sept. 10, 2005: #5 LSU 35, #16 ASU 31 Sept. 21, 1996: #17 ASU 19, #1 Nebraska 0 Sept. 10, 1994: #5 Miami 47, ASU 10 Sept. 5, 1992: #2 Washington 31, ASU 7 Nov. 12, 1988: #2 USC 50, ASU 0 Sept. 26, 1987: #2 Nebraska 35, #12 ASU 28 Oct. 14, 1978: ASU 20, #2 USC 7 BOX SCORE Southern California Logo 42 Winner Southern California 4-0 , 2-0 Arizona St. Logo 28 Arizona St. 1-3 , 0-1 Score By Quarters Team 1st 2nd 3rd 4th F Southern California 14 7 6 15 42 Arizona St. 7 6 8 7 28
Date: September 23, 2023
Time: 7:30pm
Venue: Home
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