Arizona State running back Cam Skattebo challenged the Longhorns defense on Monday.
Before the Longhorns and Sun Devils meet on Wednesday in the College Football Playoff quarterfinal at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, the fifth-place Heisman finalist made a bold proclamation.
“There’s nobody out there that can stop me,” Skattebo said on Monday during Arizona State’s media availability. (h/t ESPN)
This season, Skattebo has 263 carries, 1,568 yards and 19 touchdowns. Skattebo’s gained at least 100 scrimmage yards in nine consecutive games, dating back to Sept. 21.
He took pride in being the toughest test for Texas’ rush defense this season.
“If they’re studying hard, there’s a reason,” Skattebo said. “I have full respect for them, because they understand what they’re playing against.
“That’s why I love playing in games like this, because they constantly look at me as a threat,” he continued. “And if I’m a threat on the football field against an SEC team that was the runner-up to win their conference, then I think I’m in a pretty good position.”
In 10 games against power conference opponents, Skattebo has 228 carries, 1,457 yards and 16 touchdowns. Against Associated Press-ranked teams, he has 44 carries, 317 yards and five touchdowns. (h/t CFB Stats)
He’s incredibly hard to tackle. Per PFF data, Skattebo has forced 92 missed tackles. Among CFP running backs, only Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty (135) has more. In the Big 12 championship game against Iowa State, Skattebo gained 116 of his 170 yards after contact. (h/t PFF)
Skattebo’s confidence is warranted. But if there is a team that can stop him, it’s the Longhorns.
Texas (12-2) is 11th in FBS in rush defense, allowing 104.2 yards per game and 3.1 yards per carry. The unit has limited its three AP-ranked opponents to 325 yards and five touchdowns on 91 attempts (3.6 yards per carry).
The Longhorns have three outstanding run-stopping linebackers who will make Skattebo earn every yard he gains.
Sophomore Texas linebacker Anthony Hill leads the team in tackles for loss (16), and he recently explained his rapid ascension partly due to his experience playing the Madden NFL video game series growing up.
