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When Cam Skattebo was invited to a luncheon as a guest earlier this month, the keynote speaker for the event wanted to meet Arizona State’s star running back. Looking back at Skattebo’s rise to college football fame during the 2024 season, someone requesting a meet-and-greet was not unusual.
That keynote speaker was no ordinary person, however. It was Nick Saban, the former Alabama coach regarded as the greatest college football coach of the modern era. Saban, who had called Skattebo his “favorite player” during a segment on ESPN’s “College Gameday” in November, offered the star running back some words of wisdom and encouragement just days before Arizona State’s appearance in the Big 12 Championship Game.
Whatever the advice was — it worked. Arizona State defeated Iowa State 45-19 in the Big 12 title game behind a monster day from Skattebo, who ran for 170 yards and scored three touchdowns. The win propelled the program to its first appearance in the College Football Playoff.
“It was awesome because you never really understand who’s talking about you,” Skattebo told CBS Sports about the interaction with Saban. “Then you start thinking, ‘Am I good enough?’ Then you hear one of the greatest football coaches in college football history say something positive about you and that you’re his favorite player, and it takes me back to all the countless hours that have been put in. It was awesome to be able to talk to him and get some words of wisdom.”
Arizona State’s victory over Iowa State marked one of the most unlikely conference championship wins in college football history. The Sun Devils were picked to finish last in the Big 12 preseason media poll. Now, they’re preparing to face 5-seed Texas on Jan. 1 in the Peach Bowl with a berth to…
Source link : https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/how-arizona-states-cam-skattebo-rose-from-unheralded-recruit-to-nick-sabans-favorite-college-football-player/
Author : Cameron Salerno
Publish date : 2024-12-29 16:02:00
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