TEMPE, Ariz. — Cameron Skattebo’s breakout moment last season came on fourth down in Week 4 against USC. Arizona State trailed 35-21 and time was running out. As the Sun Devils prepared for the big play, Skattebo told quarterback Drew Pyne, “Dude, I’m going to be open. Just throw me the ball.”
Skattebo is among the more unique players in college football. As last season unfolded, he became a finalist for the Hornung Award, given to the sport’s most versatile player, a level Skattebo reached for his ability to pass or punt in a pinch. But it’s also the name.
The Norwegian surname makes people sound it out as if in kindergarten class — Skat-te-bo. The last syllable is not “Bo” as in Jackson but “Boo” as in Halloween. At first, Skattebo says people butchered his last name. But once they learned, it became difficult to forget. At Burrito Express, a local restaurant, Skattebo has a burrito named after him. Part of that has to do with his football status, but also, the name. The Boo-rrito.
Against USC, Skattebo caught Pyne’s short pass near the sideline. He turned and saw two defenders. “Oh, crap,” he thought. In his first year since transferring from Sacramento State, Skattebo was listed at 5-foot-10, 225 pounds. His speed was far from elite, but he had power. He also had something else.
A recent archives check, dating to Skattebo’s days at Rio Linda High near Sacramento, produced five adjectives often associated with him. Workhorse. Competitor. Versatile. Relentless. Bruising. In a recent phone conversation, these five were presented to Leo Skattebo after he was asked to identify his son’s superpower.
Workhorse …
Competitor …
“Will,” interrupted Leo Skattebo. “His will to succeed or his will to win or do things that other people can’t do, that’s his superpower.”
Cameron Skattebo somehow stays on his feet! 👀 pic.twitter.com/bW3Voilpz5
— Pac-12 Conference (@pac12) September 24, 2023
Leo Skattebo coached his son in youth leagues. In short-yardage situations, his play-calling was brilliant in its simplicity. Pretty much just, “Cameron, we need a yard.” Go get it. As he grew in high school and college, Skattebo established a reputation and style. ABC10 television reporter Kevin John may have stated it best in a 2022 Sacramento Bee predictions column: “If you put Cameron Skattebo in a ring with a grizzly bear,” he said, “say a prayer for the grizzly bear.”
Skattebo spun around the first USC defender and lost balance. He placed his left hand in the Mountain America Stadium turf, keeping his legs moving. He looked up and saw USC safety Max Williams positioned to make the tackle. Staying low, Skattebo ran through him and down the sideline, 52 yards. “Skattebo, Skatte-can, Skatte-touchdown,” Tim Brando said on the FOX broadcast.
“I just remember running to the end zone, thinking, ‘Oh my gosh, this really happened,’” Skattebo said while watching the highlight recently.
The play was pretty much Skattebo’s FBS coming-out party. It also reflected his journey. Despite setting Northern California high school rushing records, Sac State was the only school to offer a full athletic scholarship. Take the hit. Find balance. Keep going. Even now, with Skattebo at Arizona State, Leo Skattebo’s frustration regarding his son’s recruitment is unmistakable. How coaches said Skattebo lacked size for the position. How they said he was better suited for linebacker.
Skattebo last season proved otherwise. He rushed for 783 yards and nine touchdowns behind a beat-up Arizona State line. He had 24 receptions. A “wildcat” quarterback, he threw 15 passes, including one for a touchdown. A quick-kick specialist, he punted eight times for an average of 42.3 yards. Overall, he was a nice player on a three-win team. As Arizona State shifts to the Big 12, where opposing fans and media may once again stumble over his name, he will need to be better. The Sun Devils open Saturday night against Wyoming.
Cameron Skattebo throws a pass against Oregon last season. Primarily a running back, he also had 15 passes, 24 receptions and eight punts in 2023. (Christian Petersen / Getty Images)
Coach Kenny Dillingham says Skattebo is a great lesson in perseverance, but he’s most proud of how the senior has improved his work habits. A chip on the shoulder can be powerful, but it often requires adjustment. From “This is where I should be” to “This is how I get better.” Dillingham said everything Skattebo has pushed for — he wants to play in the NFL — is within reach. And that Skattebo has learned to compete against himself instead of perception.
In addition to running the ball, Skattebo this season will participate on Arizona State’s kickoff team. Dillingham says every time Arizona State practices this, Skattebo hits 20-20.5 mph running downfield. Last year Dillingham said this never would have happened because, one, there’s no chance Skattebo would have wanted to be on kickoff, two, he wouldn’t have run full speed, and three, he wouldn’t have hit 20-20.5 mph.
“I showed that to the team the other day because that’s a reflection of how I want our football team to be,” Dillingham said.
Down to 217 pounds, Skattebo was asked if the USC play last season proved he could play at this level. He said it might have proved it to others. Like, “OK, this guy’s a little more special than what we thought.” But inside, he knew. He just needed an opportunity. And after a strong offseason, Skattebo says there’s more to come.
“I still have another level,” he said.
GO DEEPER
College football Hope-O-Meter 2024! How do teams’ fans feel? Plus hot takes from our staff
(Top photo of Cameron Skattebo during his highlight-reel touchdown against USC last season: Bruce Yeung / Getty Images)
Source link : http://www.bing.com/news/apiclick.aspx?ref=FexRss&aid=&tid=66d06dde81924ddba96dd8b74899def1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nytimes.com%2Fathletic%2F5730025%2F2024%2F08%2F29%2Fcameron-skattebo-arizona-state-big-12-running-back%2F&c=9052031061673606648&mkt=en-us
Author :
Publish date : 2024-08-29 01:10:00
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.
