Arizona State's Cam Skattebo: 'I'm the best running back in the country' after 3-TD game
Cam Skattebo scored three touchdowns on Saturday for Arizona State, giving him three chances to send the same message.
Skattebo broke out the Heisman Trophy pose after each of his two rushing touchdowns and receiving touchdown in the No. 13 Sun Devils' 45-19 victory over No. 16 Iowa State to win the Big 12 Conference championship game and almost certainly earn a spot in the 12-team College Football Playoff.
Forks Up! Celebrate Arizona State Big 12 title with new book!
SKATTEBO HIT THE HEISMAN POSE 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/E11jahvRbn
— ESPN (@espn) December 7, 2024
Following the game, Skattebo wanted to deliver a message about how he feels valued around college football:
"Nobody respects the fact that I'm the best running back in the country," Skattebo said at his postgame news conference. "I am going to stand on that. If people want to disrespect that, I am going to keep going and I am going to keep proving people wrong."
"Nobody respects the fact that I'm the best running back in the country."
🏆Cam Skattebo (@camskattebo5 ) makes his Heisman case after hitting the pose three times in the Big 12 Championship after each of his touchdowns.
"Let's go. Get me to New York."@SunDevilSource pic.twitter.com/5jkMLdiLJZ— Gabriella Chernoff (@gabbyjchernoff) December 7, 2024
REQUIRED READING: Big 12 championship game rushing record: Where Arizona State's Cam Skattebo falls
Skattebo had 16 rushes for 170 yards and two scores on the ground and added two catches for 38 yards and a third touchdown. He had runs of 53 and 47 yards in the first half. He had 10 rushes for 140 yards, with 90 coming after contact, in the first half. If the game had not gotten out of hand, he could have threatened Darren Sproles' 2003 Big 12 championship game rushing record of 235 yards.
Skattebo has rushed 263 times on the season for 1,538 yards and 19 touchdowns. He has also added 37 catches for 506 yards and three touchdowns.
Boise State's Ashton Jeanty, one of the frontrunners for the Heisman Trophy and regarded as the best college football running back this year, has 344 carries for 2,497 yards and 29 touchdowns. Skattebo believes he compares favorably to Jeanty.
"Whatever NFL team takes me is going to get a gem," Skattebo said. "And I am going to give it everything I got for them. No matter winning the Heisman or losing the Heisman, I should be in that situation."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Arizona State's Cam Skattebo says he's country's best RB after 3-TD game