TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — Cam Skattebo ran for 158 yards and two touchdowns and Arizona State spoiled the return of Utah quarterback Cameron Rising with a 27-19 victory over the 16th-ranked Utes on Friday night.

The Sun Devils (5-1, 2-1 Big 12) lost to quarterback Sam Leavitt for most of the second quarter, but found a way to pull off the biggest win of second-year coach Kenny Dillingham’s career.

Skattebo had a lot to do with it.

On a third-quarter run, Arizona State’s contact-seeking running back broke several tackles, lowered his hand for balance and fended off another tackler for a 50-yard touchdown run. Skattebo all but put the game out of reach in the fourth quarter by breaking a tackle and then outrunning Utah’s defense with a 47-yard touchdown dash.

Leavitt threw a 26-yard touchdown pass to Jordyn Tyson before taking a hard hit in the second quarter. Jeff Sims, his backup, completed the injury-causing drive with a 2-yard TD run and Leavitt returned in the second half.

Arizona State is off to its best start since a 5-1 start in 2019.

Rising threw three interceptions after missing three games with a finger injury, and the Utes (4-2, 1-2) spent most of the evening failing to capitalize on the Sun Devils’ chances.

Rising threw an interception at Arizona State’s 9, Utah turned it over on downs early in the fourth quarter and the Utes had to settle for field goals on four more attempts inside Arizona State’s 30. The last time Cole Becker scored was from 46 yards in the fourth quarter, coming after a pass interference penalty against Money Parks that wiped out Mycah Pittman’s 12-yard touchdown catch.

Rising threw another interception late and finished 16 of 37 for 209 yards.

Micah Bernard ran Utah’s offense most of the night, running for 129 yards and a touchdown.

THE TAKEAWAY

Skattebo has been one of the most versatile running backs in the country and seems to be improving as the games go on. His hard running and improved defense could lead Arizona State to its first seed since 2021. Utah will likely fall out of the AP Top 25 after its second straight loss.

NEXT

Utah: Hosts TCU next Saturday.

Arizona State: Next Saturday at Cincinnati.

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