Arizona State running back Cam Skattebo entered the College Football Playoff averaging six yards per carry. He averaged only 3.5 yards per touch during the first half of the Peach Bowl against Texas on Wednesday.
The big-headed ball-carrier was absolutely furious with his performance and the performance of his team.
Skattebo, who shakes his head like a maniac after every single play, became one of the biggest breakout stars of the 2024 college football season. Only Sacramento State and William & Mary offered him a scholarship out of high school as an unranked recruit. Kenny Dillingham was the only coach to give him an opportunity to play on the FBS level as a three-star transfer.
The 22-year-old is listed on the roster at 5-foot-11, 215 pounds. He probably plays closer to 220 or even 225. Trying to tackle Skattebo during the regular season (and Big 12 Championship) was like trying tackle a giant bouncy ball made of knives. Defenses could not get him to the ground.
When asked about his dominant senior year, Skattebo made an extremely bold claim about the biggest game of his life.
They continue to keep saying that people are going to try to stop me. There’s nobody out there that can stop me. We played in 13 games, and I’ve been the target on each one, so I’m not too worried. We’re going to play our game and play ball and see what happens there.
— Cam Skattebo
Texas linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. gave his well-deserved flowers to the Sun Devils’ running back but disagreed on how the game was going to play out on New Year’s Day.
I’ve been watching the tape, and I mean, he deserves to say that. He’s running guys over. He’s catching balls out of the backfield, so I feel like he deserves to say that. But at the end of the day we have a challenge and we’re an elite defense, so I can’t wait to play against him and see who’s really the best.
— Anthony Hill Jr.
Although Skattebo continued to fall forward for tough yards after contact, the Longhorns shut him down during the first half of the Peach Bowl. Arizona State went down 17-3 at halftime. Its star running back had 13 carries for 45 yards. To say that he was not happy would be an understatement.
Do you think Cam Skattebo is pissed off? pic.twitter.com/ZLBbiMZ0sJ
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) January 1, 2025
In addition to his crash out on the sideline, Cam Skattebo bizarrely rejected his teammate’s help up off of the ground. Tight end Markeston Douglas reached out to help him up. He got a swift punch to the chest.
Douglas did not appreciate the cold shoulder and gave Skattebo a piece of his mind.
— no context college football (@nocontextcfb) January 1, 2025
Bygones were ultimately bygones but it was still a weird interaction between teammates. Arizona State head coach said at halftime that Cam Skattebo should be angry. However, he did not address the awkward exchange.