Arizona State pulled off a significant upset on Friday night by defeating the 16th-ranked Utah Utes 27-19 in a game that marked the return of Utah’s quarterback, Cameron Rising, from injury. The Sun Devils, led by running back Cam Skattebo, earned their biggest win under second-year head coach Kenny Dillingham, improving their record to 5-1 and 2-1 in Big 12 play. The win also gave Arizona State its best start to a season since 2019, a significant achievement for a team that was picked to finish last in the conference in the preseason poll.

Skattebo played a crucial role in Arizona State’s success, rushing for 158 yards and two crucial touchdowns. His performance was marked by both strength and resilience as he regularly broke tackles and created explosive plays. Skattebo’s hard running style helped him break a 50-yard touchdown run in the third quarter and a 47-yard sprint in the fourth, putting the game out of Utah’s reach. Overall, Skattebo has racked up 199 all-purpose yards, showing why he is considered one of the most versatile running backs in the country.

Despite losing quarterback Sam Leavitt for much of the second quarter to a hard hit, the Sun Devils found a way to prevail. Leavitt had already connected with wide receiver Jordyn Tyson on a 26-yard touchdown pass before his injury, and backup quarterback Jeff Sims stepped in to keep the offense moving, capping an injury-inducing drive with a touchdown run of 2 meters. Leavitt returned in the second half to help Arizona State to victory, showing resilience like his team.

For Utah, the evening was marred by missed opportunities and turnovers. Rising’s return after missing three games due to a finger injury did not go as planned. He looked sharp in pregame warmups but struggled throughout the game, completing just 16 of 37 passes for 209 yards with no touchdowns and three interceptions. His injury seemed to hinder his throwing ability, as many of his passes lacked the necessary speed and accuracy. Utah’s inability to capitalize in Arizona State territory further hurt their chances, as they had to settle for field goals on four separate trips inside the Sun Devils’ 30-yard line. One such instance occurred after a penalty against Money Parks canceled out a 12-yard touchdown pass to Mycah Pittman.

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Utes running back Micah Bernard was one of the few bright spots for the Utes, carrying the team’s offense most of the night. Bernard rushed for 129 yards and a touchdown, and added 61 receiving yards on five catches. His physical and dynamic running style provided Utah with a much-needed offensive spark, but it wasn’t enough to overcome their mistakes and Arizona State’s steadfast defense.

One of the most puzzling moments for Utah came in the fourth quarter, when the Utes, trailing 20-16, opted to go for it on 4th-and-8 from the Arizona State 20-yard line instead kicking a field goal that would have made it a goal. one point game. The decision backfired when Utah failed to convert and the state of Arizona took control from there.

This loss leaves Utah at a crossroads heading into the 2024 season. With a 4-2 record and two conference losses, their hopes for a Big 12 title appear dim. The team has suffered a litany of injuries, including that of Rising, which have hampered their progress.

Arizona State’s win, on the other hand, could propel them to even more success this season. Dillingham’s team has defied the odds and with a 5-1 record, they could find themselves in the AP Top 25 for the first time since 2021. As Dillingham said after the game: “This team fights and they fight and they fight. A sentiment that epitomizes the Sun Devils’ season thus far.