TUCSON, AZ – Cam Skattebo hoisted the Territorial Cup high in front of a roaring section of Arizona State fans as his teammates celebrated the decisive victory.
“I play to win football games and put smiles on people’s faces,” said Skattebo, the senior running back who has delivered on both counts this season.
Skattebo rushed for 177 yards and scored three first-half touchdowns, leading ASU to a commanding 49-7 win over rival Arizona. The victory capped a 10-2 regular season for the Sun Devils and secured their spot in the Big 12 championship game next week.
While the season and Saturday’s result surprised much of the college football world, it was no shock to those in ASU’s locker room.
“We planned that all year,” Skattebo said. “That was our Cup. That Cup’s going to stay in Phoenix for a long time.”
The game, known as the Duel in the Desert, was one-sided from the start. Ranked 16th in the College Football Playoff standings, ASU jumped to a 28-0 lead and never looked back.
“Our guys played their best football in the most important game of the year,” head coach Kenny Dillingham said.
Even as the Territorial Cup and bragging rights returned to Tempe, ASU players made it clear their mission wasn’t over.
“The job’s not done yet,” said safety Xavion Alford. “We’re still not satisfied.”
The Activation
“A group of misfits that somehow came together and are accomplishing things that are special.” – Kenny Dillingham
The Game Flow
The Sun Devils started strong, with Skattebo carrying five times for 34 yards on the opening drive, culminating in a two-yard touchdown. Arizona moved the ball to midfield but had to punt, and ASU quickly capitalized. Quarterback Sam Leavitt connected with Jordyn Tyson for a 59-yard gain, setting up another two-yard Skattebo touchdown.
The pattern continued. After another Arizona punt, ASU drove into Wildcat territory, with Skattebo breaking off a 34-yard run. Facing third-and-12, Kyson Brown took an end-around for 27 yards, and Leavitt found Tyson for a 13-yard score to make it 21-0 early in the second quarter.
A 61-yard kickoff return by Arizona’s Jeremiah Patterson gave the Wildcats a spark, but ASU’s defense held firm as Tyler Loop’s 55-yard field goal attempt went wide. Skattebo added his third rushing touchdown of the half to extend the lead to 28-0.
Arizona showed some life late in the half, reaching ASU territory, but Jeff Clark stopped Quali Conley on fourth-and-2. Leavitt orchestrated another drive before halftime, hitting Tyson multiple times and finishing with a 22-yard touchdown pass to Chamon Metayer.
Arizona’s best drive came early in the second half, with Noah Fifita connecting with Tetairoa McMillan for a 28-yard touchdown. But ASU quickly responded. Brown’s back-to-back runs of 22 and 38 yards pushed ASU deep into Wildcat territory before a missed field goal ended the drive.
Arizona’s decision to punt on fourth-and-2 later in the game proved costly. Leavitt found Xavier Guillory for a 31-yard touchdown on fourth-and-8, extending the lead to 42-7.
Late in the game, senior quarterback Trenton Bourguet entered and connected with his brother Coben for his first career reception. Bourguet later threw a short pass to Derek Eusebio, who turned it into a 64-yard touchdown.
“I’ve just been waiting on my chance, and I finally got it,” Eusebio said, referencing his family’s Arizona ties.
The Critical Moment
In a game ASU dominated from start to finish, there were no pivotal turning points. For a program that had endured two consecutive losing seasons and back-to-back losses to Arizona, the win was a moment of catharsis.
ASU defensive tackle Jacob Kongaika, who transferred from Arizona, added to the symbolic victory by planting Sparky’s pitchfork at midfield.
The Offense
ASU’s offense delivered a masterclass, racking up 643 yards—the most since 2016. The team averaged 9.9 yards per play, with eight runs of 10+ yards and nine plays of 20+ yards.
“Testament to a great gameplan and our O-line,” Leavitt said. “Skat and Sip (Brown) were balling. It was easy for me, just throwing checkdowns and hitting wide-open guys.”
Leavitt completed 17 of 22 passes for 291 yards and three touchdowns, while Tyson caught eight passes for 143 yards and a score. On the ground, ASU rushed for 281 yards, with both Skattebo and Brown topping 100 yards.
One of the day’s most special moments was Bourguet’s pass to his brother Coben.
“That dude has done so much for this program,” Dillingham said of Trenton. “A completion in college football brother-to-brother is rare.”
The Defense
ASU’s defense dominated, holding Arizona to just 57 yards and 2.2 yards per play in the first half. Though the Wildcats scored early in the second half, ASU clamped down after that, including a key interception by Laterrance Welch.
“We never looked ahead or let outside opinions get in our heads,” Alford said. ASU allowed only 210 yards, the second-fewest this season.
The Question: Can They Go All the Way?
From last place in preseason polls to 10 wins, ASU has defied expectations.
“Absolutely incredible what our guys have accomplished,” Dillingham said. “The turnaround they’ve led in just one year is remarkable.”
With a spot in the Big 12 championship and a potential College Football Playoff berth, ASU is poised for more.
“I’m ready to win a Big 12 championship,” Skattebo said. “I’m here for this coach.”
The Next Step
ASU will face Iowa State in the Big 12 Championship Game on Dec. 7 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, with kickoff set for 10 a.m. Arizona time.
The Extra Points
- Skattebo climbed to sixth on ASU’s single-season rushing list.
- ASU had two 100-yard rushers in the same game for the first time since 2016.
- Tyson became the first Sun Devil since Jaelen Strong (2014) to notch at least 10 touchdown catches in a season.