Sun Devil Running Backs Face Opportunity Against Porous OK State Defense

(Photo: Marina Williams/WCSN)

Everyone on Arizona State football likely has one game this season that means a bit more than the 11 others. It can be surmised that for many, that contest will be on Nov. 30 when the Sun Devils travel 110 miles south to face hated rival Arizona in the Territorial Cup — the matchup that all ASU fans religiously look forward to each year, regardless of record or circumstance.

Not for senior running back Cam Skattebo, though.

Instead, the three-time Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week is most looking forward to this weekend, as he and the Sun Devils travel to Stillwater to take on Oklahoma State with a chance to become bowl-eligible for the first time since 2021.

“People kind of ask what I circled on the schedule the whole year, and this is the one,” Skattebo said. “Against a good team in a good environment, and to come out of this one 6-2 would be awesome.”

But there’s more to what makes a date with the Cowboys enticing than reaching the postseason. Skattebo said he wants another crack at an opponent he fell to last year, referencing ASU’s 27-15 Week 2 loss to the Pokes at Mountain America Stadium. During that meeting in the desert, Oklahoma State held Skattebo to 62 yards on 14 carries and went on to rank middle-of-the-pack in the Big 12 for run defense, allowing 166.8 yards per game.

So far in 2024, it’s a much, much different story in Stillwater. Not for the better, either.

Through eight games this season, Pokes have allowed the most rushing yards in the entire conference. This number doesn’t improve much on the national scale; its 2,116 yards conceded on the ground represent the second-worst total in the country, only ahead of Kent State. Under 20th-season head coach Mike Gundy, a shaky defense is anything but expected.

“That’s really uncharacteristic of that group,” offensive coordinator Marcus Arroyo, who spent two seasons under Gundy as Oklahoma State’s running backs coach, said. “I know that group really well, I know those guys as friends and colleagues, I worked there for two years. I know (Gundy) really well, I know all of the guys there on staff, that’s uncharacteristic of them.”

Atypical or not, the Cowboys’ porous run defense presents a massive opportunity for ASU’s offense to get back on track after only putting up 14 at Cincinnati two weeks ago. The Sun Devils have accrued the fifth-most rushing yards in the Big 12 (1,458), largely thanks to Skattebo.

A true bellcow for ASU, Skattebo’s 150 rushing attempts are good for 10th in the entire country. He also has 848 yards and 10 touchdowns on the ground. Pair that prowess with Stillwater’s forecast — according to the Weather Channel, there will be 86% chance of rain on Saturday — and the Sun Devils’ matchup against Oklahoma State appears even more opportunistic.

“(The rain) just means I get the ball more,” Skattebo said.

That’s true, but he likely won’t be the only one seeing an uptick in reps.

Sure, Skattebo will likely have more than his fair share of touches; he’s averaging 18 per game, after all. But head coach Kenny Dillingham has made it known that he wants to get other running backs reps, something that seems far more reasonable after multiple backups had promising performances at Cincinnati.

ASU’s running back depth did take a hit this week when Dillingham announced that redshirt sophomore Raleek Brown is being shut down for the remainder of the season while applying for a medical redshirt. However, senior DeCarlos Brooks and sophomore Kyson Brown represent two strong options to also take handoffs.

“They’re going to have to play their role,” running backs coach Shaun Aguano said. “They’re also the next men up, too, if something ever happens to (Skattebo).”

After putting up 259 rushing yards and three touchdowns during an injury-shortened 2023 campaign that saw him suit up for five contests, Brooks has already matched his games played from a year ago but only owns 116 yards and one score to show for it. However, Aguano credited his ability to break tackles, which makes him a solid threat out of the backfield.

He had similar praise for Kyson Brown, another back who is difficult to bring down. He got his feet wet during his freshman season, accruing 106 yards in 12 games played, and has shown growth in 2024 in both the rushing and receiving game. He has 80 yards on 14 attempts to go with five catches for 96 yards and a touchdown.

Kyson Brown is coming off of the best rushing game of his career two weeks ago at Cincinnati, where he logged an impressive 41 yards on only three carries. His day was highlighted by an explosive 29-yard rush, and his performance certainly caught the attention of Dillingham.

“He worked his butt off to create more hip-flex ability,” Dillingham said. “And I think you can see it throughout the games. He’s way more, not athletic, for lack of a better term, because he’s always been a super good athlete. But he’s way more flexible and limber on the field than he was last year. That’s what excites me, is the times that we’ve given him the ball, he’s had explosive plays.”

Even though ASU is going against a defense that has struggled to contain the run this season, Aguano said that the team’s game plan will not change because of that. However, having multiple weapons on the ground, even if they only come in during certain situations, is an asset the running backs coach is certainly pleased to possess.

“And if they are a hot hand, then I keep them in,” Aguano said. “When they need to come in and execute to get a third down or fourth down, they have to make sure that they are productive on those, too. So they understand what I need from them, and what the team needs from them, and they’ll be ready to go.”