From Underdogs to Contenders: ASU's Thrilling Blackout Win Over Utah
In a season defining moment, Arizona State University pulled off one of the most thrilling upsets of the year, defeating #16 Utah in front of a rocking blackout crowd. The excitement was palpable as the final whistle blew, and for the first time since their 2019 upset win over #6 Oregon a few years back with now Heisman and NFL star quarterback Jaden Daniels under center, ASU fans stormed the field, reveling in the victory. The sight of thousands of ASU faithful in all black flooding the field will be remembered for years to come. And with everyone watching on a nationally televised broadcast, for ASU this wasn’t just any ordinary win. It was a statement.
The game itself was an emotional rollercoaster, with Cameron Skattebo emerging as the hero for ASU. Skattebo was a force to be reckoned with, tallying 22 carries for 158 yards and two touchdowns. He was unstoppable on the ground, slashing through Utah’s defense with power and speed, but it was his performance in the final moments that truly sealed his star status. On a crucial third down in ASU’s final drive, Skattebo caught a pass to keep the drive alive, only to follow it up with a breathtaking 47-yard touchdown run that put the game out of reach for Utah. That run was the culmination of a night where Skattebo proved he was the heartbeat of the offense, adding 41 receiving yards to his already impressive rushing performance.
Freshman quarterback Sam Leavitt also deserves credit for his resilience. After suffering an injury early in the game, Leavitt could have easily stayed on the sidelines. Instead, he returned in the second half and delivered when it mattered most. His poise and determination under pressure gave ASU the edge it needed, and with Skattebo in the backfield, the Sun Devils looked unstoppable in the clutch.
For Utah, this loss will be tough to recover from. As great as ASU’s offense was, their defense deserves just as much praise. The Sun Devil defense stifled Utah’s 25-year-old senior quarterback Cam Rising, making him look like a shell of the player he was expected to be. Rising, returning from injury and expected to lead Utah to victory, struggled to find any rhythm against a tenacious ASU defense. The Sun Devils’ relentless pressure and tight coverage forced Rising into mistakes and kept Utah’s offense off balance all night. Losing to Arizona last week with freshman Isaac Wilson under center was one thing, but falling to ASU with Cam Rising back in action will send shockwaves through the rankings. The Utes, once seen as a playoff contender, now face an uphill battle to regain their footing in the Big 12.
ASU’s transformation under head coach Kenny Dillingham has been nothing short of remarkable. Dillingham has taken a team accustomed to three win seasons and turned them into a legitimate threat in the Big 12. The Sun Devils no longer fear the powerhouse programs, they embrace the challenge. After this win, there’s a strong chance ASU could break into the top 25 rankings. And if they win out, a spot in the College Football Playoff could become a very real possibility. With a tough schedule still ahead, ASU could be a terrifying threat to any team standing in their way, showing the nation that this is no longer a program to overlook.
Being in the stadium as an ASU student myself, surrounded by the electric atmosphere of the blackout crowd, this win felt like the beginning of something special. The energy was contagious, the resilience of the players was inspiring, and the field rush was the perfect ending to a night that will go down in ASU history. The Sun Devils are no longer the underdogs people can dismiss. They're here to compete, they're here to fight, and they're here to win.
