Fourth-down aggression pays off big for ASU in Big 12 title game vs. Iowa State
Dec 7, 2024, 10:43 AM | Updated: Dec 8, 2024, 1:22 am
The fourth-down aggression from Kenny Dillingham has hurt ASU football at times this season, but it paid off early in the team’s Big 12 title win on Saturday with a 63-yard completion as the Iowa State defense keyed in on Cam Skattebo for a fourth-and-short.
Skattebo had already rushed for 35 yards on four carries, meaning the Cyclones had to respect the run game in the short-yardage situation from ASU’s own 34-yard line. A stop would’ve given Iowa State great field position.
With top receiving target Jordyn Tyson out, Melquan Stovall stepped up to haul in the 63-yard completion off play action after he caught a 22-yard pass on the previous scoring drive.
Quarterback Sam Leavitt scored on a designed run shortly after a near-disaster from Skattebo, as he was headed nowhere fast on a run and launched the ball for an incompletion instead.
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The touchdown gave the Sun Devils a 10-7 lead late in the first quarter. They would go on to win 45-19.
Dillingham said postgame he had “nothing to do with” the decision to go for it, and offensive coordinator Marcus Arroyo just called the play.
ASU gets on board with field goal
Carston Kieffer picked a good time to make his first field goal at the college level, getting ASU football on the board after its first drive.
Dillingham showed trust in the redshirt freshman in sending him out for the 32-yard field goal.
Kieffer earned the start on Saturday after making both kicks in a team setting on Wednesday. He took over for Parker Lewis on the final extra point last week at Arizona.
Cam Skattebo helped set up the score with a 28-yard run on the game’s first play from scrimmage.
Welcome to the 2024 Dr Pepper Big 12 Football Championship, Mr. Skattebo 🫡#Big12FB | 📺 ABC pic.twitter.com/T5XIrwx6bC
— Big 12 Conference (@Big12Conference) December 7, 2024
The ASU defense struggled to find the same kinds of success on its first drive, as the Cyclones marched down the field on an 11-play, 75-yard touchdown drive.
