Last season, the ASU football team lost to Utah, 55-3.
But this is not last season.
Arizona State upset No. 17 Utah at Mountain America Stadium on Friday night, 27-19, setting off a raucous celebration in Tempe.
The Sun Devils are now 5-1 overall and 2-1 in the Big 12. They were picked to finish last in the Big 12 at the beginning of the season.
Utah, which was picked to finish first in the Big 12, fell to 4-2 overall and 1-2 in Big 12 play.
“I think the biggest thing today is when you look at the rushing statistics, we ran the ball decent,” coach Kenny Dillingham said. “We stopped the run decently versus a program where that’s their identity. And listen, I would love to say this one win puts us on that level and gives us that consistency but it doesn’t. Right, it just shows that we’re in the right direction. It It shows that we’re trending in the right direction and shows that what we’re doing is working.”
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ASU, which went 3-9 last season, got the win behind an impressive second-half performance from running back Cameron Skattebo and an impressive defensive performance.
Skattebo had a 50-yard touchdown run and a 47-yard touchdown run in the second half.
The first put ASU ahead 20-16 with 1:32 left in the third quarter. The second gave ASU the 27-19 lead with 2:41 left.
The senior running back finished with 22 carries for 158 yards, with the two touchdowns. He also had four catches for 41 yards.
“Coach Dillingham says big-time players may take big-time plays. I tell him, like I tell you guys every week, I tell him to give me the ball every play,” Skattebo said. “Sam (Leavitt) trusted me, we called a play that we knew was gonna work at that time. Funny enough, me and Sam actually worked that over the shoulder all week, on a whole bunch of different other plays. It wasn’t that one play… I didn’t run that play specifically one time all week – first time running that, but I was working that over the shoulder every time.. He gave me a chance and I made the catch.”
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ASU’s defense bothered Utah QB Cam Rising all night. Rising, who missed the previous three games with an injury, was 16-for-37 passing for 209 yards.
ASU intercepted three of his passes, with Caleb McCullough, who had a stellar game for the Sun Devils, picking him off twice.
“It meant a lot for me just to know that we got to win. I’m doing whatever I can to win,” McCullough said. “I’m not really a stat player. It’s amazing, but at the end of the day, I just want to win. This is my last year of college and my main goal is just to win because when you win, everything goes good for everybody. So just to know that I got that interception and we got the win, I was very happy.”
ASU next plays at Cincinnati in Week 8 on Oct. 19. Utah will host TCU that same day.
Look back at our updates from the game below.
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Arizona State ran out the clock to complete the 27-19 upset of No. 17 Utah at Mountain America Stadium in Tempe on Saturday, a huge win for the Sun Devils.
Final score: ASU 27, Utah 19
Caleb McCullough has had himself a game, as well.
The ASU linebacker just had his second interception of Utah Cam Rising.
And it came at a great time, on a 3rd & 15 at the Utah 32, bringing ASU closer to an upset of the No. 17 Utes.
ASU’s Cam Skattebo is having himself a game against Utah.
After already rushing for a 50-yard TD in the second half, the senior RB just ran for a 47-yard touchdown against Utah to give ASU a 27-19 lead with 2:41 remaining.
Sam Leavitt connected with Skattebo on a 21-yard pass on 3rd & 6 at the ASU 29 to extend the drive.
Skattebo now has 21 carries for 156 yards, with the two touchdowns. He also has four catches for 41 yards.
Not too shabby.
Score: ASU football 27, Utah 19 (2:41 left in fourth quarter)
The turnover on downs for ASU didn’t cost ASU the lead, but it did cost the Sun Devils three points.
Utah’s Cole Becker hit a 46-yard field goal to pull the Utes within 20-19 with 5:42 left.
Utah had a 4th & 3 at the ASU 13 and elected to go for it, but then went for the field goal after an offensive pass interference call pushed the Utes back.
We’ve got a good one in the desert. ASU will now attempt to keep the clock running.
Score: ASU football 20, Utah 19 (5:42 left in fourth quarter)
ASU had a 4 & 1 at the ASU 29 and elected to go for it.
Cam Skattebo was stopped for no gain, giving Utah the ball back in great field position.
Kenny Dillingham went for it and the Sun Devils came up short, potentially putting their defense in a tough situation.
We’ll see how they respond.
The ASU defense made a critical stop on Utah, with the Utes turning the ball over on downs after only gaining four yards on a pass completion on 4th & 8 at the ASU 24.
Utah could have kicked the field goal to pull within one, but elected to go for it, coming up short.
It ended a 10-play, 55-yard drive.
There is 10:49 left in the fourth quarter. Utah is now 7-for-13 on third down in this game and 0-1 on fourth down.
We’ve got ourselves a good game in Tempe after three quarters.
The Sun Devils lead the Utes at Mountain America Stadium, but Utah is driving.
Utah has a 277-273 advantage in total yards and a 156-146 advantage is pass yards, but ASU holds a 127-121 lead in rushing yards.
The Utes are starting to get into a groove on offense, so the ASU defense will probably need to make some stops if it wants to upset Utah.
This could be a very interesting final quarter.
Score: ASU football 20, Utah 16 (end of third quarter)
After two straight 3-and-outs to open the second half, ASU football really needed someone to step up on its third possession of the third quarter.
Cam Skattebo delivered.
The senior running back ran for a 50-yard touchdown to put ASU back in the lead against Utah, rumbling through defenders on the run.
It was his longest rush of the season and it came at a very pivotal point for ASU.
ASU only needed four plays to go 75 yards on the drive.
Skattebo now has 14 carries for 96 yards in the game, with the touchdown.
Score: ASU 20, Utah 16 (1:32 left in third quarter)
Micah Bernard and the Utes got going on their most recent possession, with the running back rushing it in from 6-yards out to record the first touchdown for Utah in this game.
Bernard also had rushes of eight, ten and 12 yards on the drive.
He has now carried the ball 16 times for 106 yards in the game.
Utah’s drive went for 12 plays and 79 yards and took 7:07.
It gave them their first lead since they were up 6-0 in the first quarter.
Score: Utah 16, ASU football 13 (3:19 left in third quarter)
The Sun Devils aren’t exactly moving the ball to start the second half.
They just went 3-and-out for their second straight possession, only gaining five yards on this drive.
They have gained 13 yards on the two possession in the third quarter.
ASU had a 4th & 5 at the ASU 43, but elected to punt and try to play the field position game against the Utes.
Well, ASU’s defense did start the second half with a stop. It intercepted Utah’s Cam Rising for the second time in this game.
Keith Abney II hauled in the interception, ending Utah’s 4-play, 23-yard drive.
Rising is now just 7-for-21 for 97 yards in this game, with the two interceptions.
Sam Leavitt did indeed start the second half at QB for ASU, but the Sun Devils went 3-and-out on the drive, with incomplete passes from Leavitt around an 8-yard run from Cam Skattebo.
ASU was able to bottle up Utah for most of the first half.
Will it be able to start the second half with a stop?
The ASU football defense had two of its best defenders sit out the first half against Utah because of targeting calls last week.
It still held the Utes to 148 total yards and more importantly, nine points in the first two quarters.
And it gets Keyshaun Elliott and Clayton Smith back for the second half.
ASU could also get a boost with the return of QB Sam Leavitt, who exited the game in the first half after a hard hit.
Leavitt returned to the game and took a knee for the Sun Devils on the final play of the second quarter.
One of the stories of the first half? Utah QB Cam Rising, who missed the previous three games with an injury, is just 7-for-20 for 97 yards in his return. He had a pass intercepted in the first half.
ASU has held Utah to 51 rushing yards.
It also leads the Utes in time of possession, 16:41 to 13:19. Utah entered the game No. 2 in the nation in time of possession.
Don’t go anywhere. This second half could be very interesting. ASU gets the ball to open the third quarter.
Score: Arizona State football 13, Utah 9 (halftime)
Utah had a 1st & goal at ASU’s six-yard line on its most recent drive and had to settle for the field goal, its third of the game.
Arizona State’s defense has stepped up in the red zone in this game and it holds a 13-9 lead because of it.
Cam Rising is just 7-for-20 for 97 yards for the Utes.
Utah got inside the ASU 30-yard line four times in the first half. It just has nine points (three field goals) to show for it.
Score: ASU 13, Utah 9 (:23 left in second quarter)
The Sun Devils were not able to make it three straight possessions with a touchdown.
ASU gained 18 yards on five plays before being forced to punt against Utah.
Jeff Sims, in for an injured Sam Leavitt, went 1-for-2 for 13 yards on the drive.
This next possession will be huge for ASU’s defense. Can it keep Utah at bay again as we get close to the half?
Utah was driving on its most recent possession, but the Sun Devils’ defense stepped up again.
Caleb McCullough intercepted a Rising pass on 1st & 10 at ASU’s 19-yard line to end the Utah threat.
Both teams now have a turnover.
The interception ended a streak of nine quarters without a takeaway for ASU. McCullough has seven tackles in this game. He started in place of Keyshaun Elliott, who is missing the first half after a targeting call last week.
ASU QB Sam Leavitt was checked out at the medical tent on the sideline. He later headed to the locker room with a towel over his head.
It would be a huge loss if he can’t return for ASU.
Arizona State has its first lead on Utah.
Backup QB Jeff Sims, who came in after Sam Leavitt exited after a taking a hard hit, just rushed for a 2-yard touchdown to give ASU the 13-6 lead.
ASU didn’t attempt a pass after Leavitt’s exit on the drive. Cam Skattebo rushed for no gain, then he ran for six yards on a 4th & 1 at the Utah 9. He then ran for one yard before Sims ran outside untouched for the touchdown.
Ian Hershey came in to hit the extra point for ASU.
The Sun Devils have now outgained Utah in yards in this game, 161-43.
They have a 13:46 to 7:36 advantage in time of possession.
Utah entered this game second in the nation in time of possession.
Score: ASU football 13, Utah 6 (8:38 left in second quarter)
ASU QB Sam Leavitt just exited the game against Utah after rushing for eight yards on a 2nd & 9 carry at Utah’s 17-yard line.
Leavitt took a hit at the end of the play and was on the ground in pain before exiting.
Jeff Sims, a transfer from Nebraska, is ASU’s backup QB.
Leavitt was shining for ASU in this game. He was 6-for-10 passing for 99 yards and had a touchdown pass. He also had 22 yards on six carries.
We’ve reached the end of the first quarter at Mountain America Stadium in Tempe, where the Sun Devils and Utes are tied, 6-6, in their Big 12 Conference matchup.
ASU has outgained Utah in this game, 111-43, but an interception allowed the Utes to score a field goal.
The Sun Devils are 2-for-4 on third down and 1-1 on fourth down.
The QBs are in the spotlight in this game, and Cam Rising is just 2-for-9 for 11 yards for the Utes.
Sam Leavitt is 4-for-7 for 76 yards and a touchdown for the Sun Devils, with the interception.
ASU has the ball and has a chance to take its first lead on Utah, which would ignite the home crowd.
Score: ASU football 6, Utah 6 (end of first quarter)
ASU’s defense has looked good in this game, and it looked its best so far in forcing the Utes to a 3-and-out on their latest possession.
Cam Rising is just 2-for-9 passing for 11 yards in this game for Utah.
Could Kyle Whittingham consider pulling the QB after the rough start? He just does not look comfortable out there.
The Sun Devils have tied this game against Utah.
Sam Leavitt completed a 26-yard pass to Jordyn Tyson to finish off an 11-play, 81-yard drive.
A key play on the drive? Leavitt connected with Xavier Guillory for 27 yards on 3rd & 5 at ASU’s 24-yard line.
Leavitt also ran for nine yards on a 3rd & 9 at Utah’s 48-yard line to extend the drive and he ran for nine yards on a 4th & 7 at Utah’s 35 for another first down.
Carston Kieffer’s extra point attempt sailed wide, resulting in this game being tied instead of ASU taking its first lead of the contest.
Leavitt is 3-for-6 for 62 yards in this game, with the touchdown pass and an interception.
Score: ASU football 6, Utah 6 (2:04 left in first quarter)
ASU’s defense forced Utah to kick a 40-yard field goal after the turnover, which Cole Becker made to give the Utes a 6-0 lead.
But that’s another win for the Sun Devil defense after Utah started the possession at ASU’s 28-yard line.
ASU could really use a good drive here to give their defense a rest and to get some momentum going on offense.
Utah entered the game second in time of possession in the nation and currently has a 6:37-1:11 advantage in time of possession in this game.
Score: Utah 6, ASU football 0 (7:12 left in first quarter)
ASU quarterback Sam Leavitt was hit as he threw the ball on Arizona State’s first drive and Junior Tafuna intercepted it for the Utes, giving Utah the ball at ASU’s 28.
Not the start ASU wanted.
The Sun Devils only had three plays on their opening drive, putting their defense back on the field after a short rest after Utah’s lengthy opening drive.
ASU has had four turnovers since it last got a takeaway. It’s last takeaway came in the fourth quarter against Texas Tech on Sept. 21.
Arizona State held Utah to a field goal on its opening possession, a win for the Sun Devils after the Utes had been marching down the field.
Cole Becker connected from 48-yards out to give Utah the 3-0 lead at Mountain America Stadium in Tempe.
Utah had a 1st & 10 at the ASU 30, but the Sun Devils’ defense stepped up to stall the Utes’ drive.
Cameron Rising was just 1-for-5 on Utah’s opening possession in his return to the field after missing three straight games.
Micah Bernard rushed for 19 yards on three carries for Utah, who went 46 yards on 12 plays on the drive.
Score: Utah 3, Arizona State 0 (9:57 left in first quarter)
The Sun Devils are going to be missing some key players on defense against the Utes.
LB Keyshaun Elliott and DE Clayton Smith will miss the first half after receiving targeting calls against Kansas last week.
DE Justin Wodtly also won’t play for ASU tonight, leaving Arizona State thin on defense.
ASU is already missing DB Cole Martin and DL Anthonie Cooper. WR Zechariah Sample also won’t play for the Sun Devils tonight.
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The Sun Devils lead the all-time series against the Utes, 22-12, but Utah has won four straight games in the series.
And they have not been pretty.
Utah beat ASU last season in Salt Lake City, 55-3. In 2022, it beat the Sun Devils in Tempe, 34-13.
In 2021, the Utes defeated Arizona State in Utah, 35-21. Utah also won in 2019 in Salt Lake City, 21-3.
In 2018, ASU did beat Utah in Tempe, 38-20.
This is the first meeting between Arizona State and Utah as Big 12 rivals, so the winner of this game will get bragging rights as it will lead the series between the schools in the conference.
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Utah QB Cam Rising, who has missed the last three games, is expected to start for the Utes tonight against ASU football.
The news was first reported by Action Network’s Brett McMurphy.
Rising injured the ring finger on his throwing hand against Baylor on Sept. 7.
He was seen throwing the ball with a glove on his throwing hand before the game in Tempe at Mountain America Stadium.
Isaac Wilson has been Utah’s QB since Rising went down. Wilson has thrown for 830 yards and six touchdowns this season, with seven passes intercepterd.
Rising has thrown for 346 yards and seven touchdowns this season. He hasn’t had a pass intercepted.
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Arizona State is encouraging fans to wear black to tonight’s game against Utah, but it isn’t following its own advice.
The Sun Devils are wearing maroon jerseys for the Big 12 game at Mountain America Stadium.
ASU athletic director Graham Rossini explained why in two posts on X.
“Apologies for the confusion,” he wrote. “I’ll own this one – we prioritized the gold strategy uniform this fall and didn’t have enough time to pull off a black one once game themes were set. We could have been more clear when themes were posted. That’s on me. But we’re still asking fans to wear black – such a cool scene in the stadium for night games! Come join us and pour some more energy into this incredible team of Sun Devils!”
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The Utes are going with white uniforms for the game tonight.
The game can be seen at 7:30 p.m. MST time on ESPN.
It can be streamed on FUBO (free trial) and with other streaming services that carry ESPN.
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Utah is a 3.5-point favorite over ASU in college football Week 7 odds for the game, according to BetMGM Sportsbook.
The Utes are -166 on the moneyline. The Sun Devils are +140.
The over/under for the game is set at 45 points.
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ESPN gives Utah a 51.1& chance to defeat ASU in the Week 7 college football game.
Some other writers predict a very close game in the Big 12 Conference matchup on Saturday.
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Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.
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