No. 14 Arizona State Dominates Rival Arizona 49-7, Clinches Big 12 Championship Spot

No. 14 Arizona State Dominates Rival Arizona 49-7, Clinches Big 12 Championship Spot

Cam Skattebo and Sam Leavitt Lead Sun Devils to First Conference Title Appearance Since 2013

TUCSON, AZ — Arizona State’s first season in the Big 12 was supposed to be a rebuilding year under coach Kenny Dillingham. Instead, the Sun Devils (10-2, 7-2 Big 12, No. 16 CFP) capped their turnaround season in spectacular fashion, crushing rival Arizona 49-7 on Saturday to secure a spot in the Big 12 championship game.

Cam Skattebo was unstoppable, rushing for 177 yards and three touchdowns, while quarterback Sam Leavitt threw for three scores, completing 17-of-22 passes for 291 yards. The Sun Devils dominated from start to finish, racking up 643 total yards just a year after a humiliating 59-23 loss to Arizona.

“Our guys played their best game of football in the most important game of the year,” Dillingham said.


Arizona State built a commanding 35-0 halftime lead, highlighted by two short touchdown runs by Skattebo, a 13-yard screen pass touchdown to Jordyn Tyson, and a 22-yard TD connection between Leavitt and Chamon Metayer just before the half.

“It was great to go out there and put it on them, especially after what they did to us last year,” Leavitt said. “It just makes the next one even bigger.”

The Wildcats (4-8, 2-7 Big 12) struggled in all phases of the game in what was a disappointing end to their first season under coach Brent Brennan. Wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan, likely heading to the NFL, was a bright spot with six catches for 68 yards and Arizona’s only touchdown.

“They got after us in every way today,” Brennan said. “With what this game means to everyone here, for us to be so unproductive is soul-crushing.”

The win was sealed after TCU’s victory over Cincinnati on Saturday night, which confirmed ASU’s place in the Dr Pepper Big 12 Football Championship game.

This marks the Sun Devils’ first conference championship appearance since 2013. They will face an undetermined opponent on December 7 at 10 a.m. in Arlington, Texas, with the game airing live on ABC15.