After a dominant first half, Arizona State almost squandered an extraordinary lead in a 30-23 win over Mississippi State on Saturday.
The Sun Devils led 27-3 at halftime and outscored Mississippi State in every offensive category before seemingly losing their footing in the second half.
“Even though I probably lost three months of my life because of it, our team needed it. We needed to get punched in the face,” said Arizona State head coach Kenny Dillingham. “The fact that we got punched in the face and then had to get back up was something I was proud of. And we got back up with all our might.”
Mississippi State scored 13 unanswered points early in the fourth quarter, cutting the Sun Devils’ lead to just seven points when Kevin Coleman Jr. caught an 80-yard touchdown pass with 5:27 left in the fourth quarter.
But Arizona State running back Cam Skattebo – who was outstanding throughout – made a crucial 39-yard run after the 2:00 timeout and stopped Mississippi State’s comeback, cementing the win and improving the Sun Devils’ lead to 2-0 for the first time since 2021.
The run that sealed the win for ASU and moved Cam Skattebo into second place for rushing yards in a single game by a Sun Devil.
Watch Skattebo’s post-match interview: https://t.co/umCatTyQKr pic.twitter.com/yxf3Y95w88
— Arizona Sports (@AZSports) 8 September 2024
“Me and the O-line were talking on the sideline (before the drive) and I didn’t think anyone was going to stop us, no matter who it was,” Skattebo said. “I trust those guys, they know I’m going to do my job behind them and they created a beautiful gap.”
Skattebo has a day for itself
Arizona State once again demonstrated its running game in its Victory over Mississippi State.
Skattebo had the second-highest rushing yards in ASU history with 262. He also caught three balls for 35 yards in the team’s first win against an SEC opponent. The Sun Devils totaled 346 rushing yards, compared to Mississippi State’s 24.
“They couldn’t stop us in that three-man front. We all felt disrespected by them in that three-man front,” Skattebo said. “You can’t come in here, put five men in the box and expect to stop six.”
A week after showing off his arm, ASU quarterback Sam Leavitt showed off his legs with 68 yards on 11 carries. He scored two touchdowns on the ground and finished the game 10 of 20 passing and 69 yards in the air.
Quarterback Sam Leavitt’s legs give Arizona State an early 7-0 lead against Mississippi State. pic.twitter.com/jsGZYDMtrn
— Arizona Sports (@AZSports) 8 September 2024
In two games this season, Arizona State outperformed its opponents in rushing yards by 587 to 64, a testament to the team’s overall physicality and ability to be flexible on offense.
At halftime, the Sun Devils had achieved 208 rushing yards and held Mississippi State to -13 rushing yards.
Defense improves and scores another touchdown
After scoring two defensive touchdowns in Week 1 against Wyoming, the Sun Devils added another touchdown to their season total with CJ Fite scoring a 1-yard fumble return touchdown in the second quarter against Mississippi State.
Fite, a true sophomore defensive player, blocked the ball with his body to keep it from going out of bounds, recovered the ball and ran it out of bounds.
Some highlights from Arizona State’s dominant first half against Mississippi State. pic.twitter.com/dKQEH35jL8
— Arizona Sports (@AZSports) 8 September 2024
“In practice, we set a standard for defense: Anytime the ball comes out, go get it,” Fite said. “So when I saw the ball, I went and got it.”
The defense finished with three sacks and seven tackles, which resulted in a loss of yardage.
The Sun Devils’ next task is short, as they play Texas State on Thursday and hope to start 3-0 for the first time since 2019.
