Cam Skattebo rushed for a career-high 262 yards, quarterback Sam Leavitt scored two touchdowns on the ground, and Arizona State managed to hold on in the final minutes to secure a 30-23 victory over Mississippi State on Saturday night. This win marked Arizona State’s first ever triumph over a Southeastern Conference team.
Mississippi State almost made a comeback from a 30-3 deficit midway through the third quarter, closing the gap to 30-23 with 5:27 remaining in the fourth. Arizona State was able to run out the clock on their next offensive possession.
Skattebo clinched the win with a 39-yard run less than two minutes before the end. His 262 rushing yards are the second-highest in school history.
“Today was fun,” Skattebo said. “It’s been a long time since I had this much fun in a football game. We had our ups and downs, but it was enjoyable. You can ask the guys up front. Blocking big, 300-pound men is fun for us.”
This was the first time the two teams faced each other and provided an interesting early-season challenge. Arizona State (2-0) was expected to be near the bottom of the Big 12 in preseason polls, while Mississippi State (1-1) is also in the middle of a rebuild in the SEC.
Skattebo and Leavitt led the way, combining for 193 rushing yards in the first half and helping Arizona State build a 27-3 lead by halftime.
Skattebo, who weighs 215 pounds, dominated the Bulldogs’ defense, averaging over nine yards per carry in the first half and nearly eight yards per carry for the game, with 33 total carries.
“Blocking for him gives us the advantage,” said Arizona State center Leif Fautanu. “We just need to get in the way, and he takes care of the rest.”
Arizona State extended their lead to 30-3 midway through the third quarter with a 14-play drive that took about 8 1/2 minutes off the clock.
Mississippi State responded with two quick touchdown drives, reducing the score to 30-16 with 13:09 left in the fourth quarter after Blake Shapen connected with Davon Booth for a 13-yard touchdown.
“We started executing better, doing our jobs, and managed to score some touchdowns,” Shapen said.
The Bulldogs came closer at 30-23 when Kevin Coleman Jr. caught a pass, broke a tackle, and raced 80 yards for a touchdown.
