Jan 1, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils running back Cam Skattebo (4) and Texas Longhorns defensive back Michael Taaffe (16) push each other during the second half of the Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images Skattebo and Smith.
No, they’re not a law firm, but Cam Skattebo of Arizona State and Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith left many college football fans reacting to their performances in the CFP quarterfinals on Wednesday.
Skattebo literally left it all on the field when ESPN reported the running back to be “vomiting profusely” on the sideline during the No. 4 seed Sun Devils’ 39-31 double overtime loss to No. 5 Texas.
He recovered enough to help Arizona State rally from a 16-point fourth-quarter deficit. He threw a 42-yard touchdown to Malik McLain to make it 24-16, then ran for a 2-yard TD and a two-point conversion to tie it at 24 before scoring on a 3-yard run in overtime in a heroic losing effort.
Skattebo finished with 30 carries for 143 yards and two touchdowns, plus the TD pass and eight receptions for 99 receiving yards.
Super70sSports wrote on X of him: “Cam Skattebo is like if Stone Cold Steve Austin and John Riggins had a baby.”
Former standout NFL receiver Terrell Owens was impressed, posting on X: “I’ve been seeing snippets of this kid @camskattebo5 the last couple of years and after today I AM A CAM SKATTEBO fan!!! He’s a dog!!! Respectfully, He’s the white version of [Marshawn Lynch] BEASTMODE!!”
NBC Sports’ Nicole Auerbach opined that the Heisman voting closed too soon: “The problem with the Heisman Trophy ceremony taking place before the start of the College Football Playoff is that there are now 11 meaningful games played after that trophy is handed out. And it’s a damn shame that Cam Skattebo wasn’t at least invited to New York City.”
While most of the nation was watching the exciting ending to the Arizona State-Texas matchup, they missed the 45-yard TD catch by Smith a minute into the 41-21 drubbing of No. 1 Oregon. He added a 43-yard score in the second quarter and had five receptions for 161 yards in the first half for the No. 8 Buckeyes.
“Why exactly did Jeremiah Smith not win National Freshman of the Year? I want an explanation.” So wrote Steve Gorten, a writer for Miami Herald Sports.
Chase Brown of the Buckeye-centric Eleven Warriors was a bit snarky: “Jeremiah Smith has five catches for 161 yards and two touchdowns in 20 minutes against Oregon, the No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoff. Is that good?”
Smith totaled seven catches for 187 yards, prompting Bleacher Report to post on X this quote from Smith leading up to the game: “I’m just laughing in my head. … If you play man (defense) Wednesday, we’re taking a shot.”
That the Buckeyes did, shredding the Ducks for a 34-0 lead in the second quarter to the delight of the King himself—Akron, Ohio, native and unabashed Ohio State supporter LeBron James: “KEEP IT GOING!!! BELT TO ASS.”
He wasn’t the only one trolling the Ducks. Columbus TV station WSYX commented on its social media site: “I have more rushing yards going to the fridge than Oregon has all game.”
Ouch. But it was true, perhaps, since the Ducks totaled minus-23 yards on 28 carries.
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