In a game that few could have predicted at the season’s outset, No. 12 Arizona State overwhelmed No. 16 Iowa State 45–19 to capture the 2024 Dr Pepper Big 12 Football Championship in Arlington, Texas. The victory marks not only a stunning turnaround for the Sun Devils but also a bold statement in their inaugural Big 12 campaign — a story of resilience, coaching vision, and breakout talent converging at the perfect time.
Skattebo’s Star Turn and Record-Setting Season
Leading the charge was running back Cam Skattebo, whose 170 rushing yards, two touchdowns on the ground, and a highlight-reel receiving score earned him Most Outstanding Player honors. His performance cemented his status as one of the most dynamic and underrated backs in college football this season.
Skattebo’s season total of 2,074 yards from scrimmage — split between 1,568 rushing and 506 receiving — is now the highest single-season mark in Arizona State’s history, underlining his rare dual-threat versatility. His runs were more than just yardage; they were demoralizing for Iowa State’s defense, with multiple long, tackle-shedding bursts that flipped field position and momentum.
The 22-year-old’s defiant Heisman Trophy poses during the game summed up his chip-on-the-shoulder mindset. “Nobody respects the fact that I’m the best running back in the country,” he declared postgame. His statement, though bold, is supported by a season in which he consistently carried an offense that lost key contributors but never lost its big-play potential.
Freshman QB Shines Under Dillingham’s Vision
Behind the scenes of this revival is Arizona State’s youthful head coach Kenny Dillingham. At just 34, Dillingham has galvanized a program that went 3–9 last year in its final Pac-12 season. His installation of true freshman quarterback Sam Leavitt paid immediate dividends.
Leavitt was poised and opportunistic in Arlington, going 12-of-17 for 219 yards and three touchdowns. Crucially, he exploited Iowa State’s second-half turnovers with surgical efficiency, connecting with Xavier Guillory for two quick scores and finding Skattebo on a swing pass that turned into another highlight touchdown.
Dillingham’s aggressive, modern play-calling — exemplified by multiple fourth-down conversions and deep shots downfield — demonstrates the shift in Arizona State’s identity. No longer an also-ran, the Sun Devils have quickly become one of the Big 12’s most explosive and dangerous teams.
Cyclones Falter After Historic Regular Season
For Iowa State, the loss stings after what was otherwise a landmark year. Matt Campbell’s squad delivered the program’s first-ever 10-win season in 133 years, an achievement that reflects years of steady culture-building in Ames. Quarterback Rocco Becht was typically steady, extending his streak to 17 games with a passing touchdown. But three critical turnovers deep in Cyclone territory to open the second half proved fatal.
Campbell summed up the frustration succinctly: “It doesn’t get that much more deflating than that. Their ability to take care of the football and our inability to do that in the third quarter was just paralyzing.”
Even so, Iowa State’s trajectory remains positive. The program enters bowl season with a solid foundation and a roster capable of competing in future Big 12 title races — a testament to Campbell’s consistency amid college football’s volatile coaching carousel.
Big Plays Define Arizona State’s Resurgence
What makes this Arizona State squad particularly dangerous is its flair for chunk plays. Even without injured star receiver Jordyn Tyson, the Sun Devils racked up six plays of 20-plus yards in the first half alone. From Leavitt’s opening 22-yard completion to Melquan Stovall to a 63-yard conversion on fourth-and-one, the offense displayed a fearlessness that Big 12 fans should get used to.
This emphasis on explosive, risk-reward football fits right into the Big 12’s long-standing reputation for high-octane offenses. But Dillingham’s unit adds a physical, bruising run game — personified by Skattebo — that makes it multidimensional and harder to scheme against.
Bigger Picture: A Program Reborn and a Conference Statement
Arizona State’s rapid rise from Pac-12 afterthought to Big 12 champion is historic. The eight-win improvement from 3–9 to 11–2 sets a school record and mirrors only Indiana nationally, highlighting just how rare such turnarounds are in the modern era. Their conference title is the program’s first outright crown since the 1996 Pac-10 season, a feat that will resonate deeply with a fanbase hungry for relevance on the national stage.
The win also holds broader implications for the new-look Big 12. Commissioner Brett Yormark has been vocal about the need for the league champion to receive fair College Football Playoff consideration — and Arizona State’s résumé, with an 11–2 record and four wins over ranked teams, makes a strong case. Dillingham echoed that sentiment postgame, noting that the Sun Devils deserve to host a playoff game or, ideally, earn a first-round bye.
What’s Next: A Playoff Test and a Proving Ground
Arizona State will learn its playoff opponent when the final CFP rankings are released, with Big Ten champion Oregon and SEC powerhouse Georgia likely locking up the top two seeds. While the Sun Devils will almost certainly rank below undefeated Group of Five champion Boise State, they may yet slide above the ACC’s champion, Clemson.
Regardless of the draw, this Arizona State team is built to test even the sport’s elite. Skattebo’s defiance and production, Leavitt’s rapid maturation, and Dillingham’s unflinching belief in his team’s upside have forged a narrative of grit and audacity — a blueprint for how to rebuild quickly in a changing college football landscape.
As for Iowa State, a likely Alamo or Pop-Tarts Bowl bid still awaits. And though the disappointment is real, the program’s upward trajectory should not be overshadowed by one difficult night in Texas.
Final Thoughts: Respect Earned, Standard Raised
The Sun Devils’ championship win was about more than a trophy. It was about rewriting expectations — for the program, its players, and its fans. It was about showing that with bold leadership, belief in player development, and a fearless identity, a so-called rebuilding year can turn into a statement season.
If Skattebo’s Heisman poses signal anything, it’s that Arizona State is ready to be taken seriously again — and the rest of the Big 12, and soon the playoff field, will have no choice but to do exactly that.
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