Sam Leavitt, and the Arizona State football team deliver a commanding performance against Iowa State in the Big 12 championship game.

Cam Skattebo crossed the goal line at AT&T Stadium, striking a Heisman pose as his Arizona State teammates celebrated around him. This 3-yard run marked the first of three touchdowns he achieved that day, providing the Sun Devils with a seven-point advantage over Iowa State in the Big 12 championship game on Saturday. Skattebo's impressive season has been instrumental in No. 15 Arizona State's remarkable journey, culminating in a 45-19 victory against the No. 16 Cyclones (10-3), which propels the Sun Devils into the College Football Playoff. As the final seconds elapsed, Skattebo took to the stage to accept the Most Outstanding Player award, presented in the form of a WWE wrestling belt adorned with "Big 12," courtesy of WWE wrestlers Jey Uso and Sami Zayn—fitting recognition for Skattebo's physical playing style.

He subsequently shared the belt with his offensive linemen, requesting their signatures to acknowledge their contribution to his success. Arizona State dominated Iowa State 21-0 in the third quarter, prompting Sun Devils coach Kenny Dillingham to comment to ABC: "Three straight stops, three straight turnovers... short fields, offense has finished. Just complementary football... I'm really proud of the guys." This victory marked ASU's sixth consecutive win and their fourth triumph over a nationally ranked opponent.

The matchup was deemed highly competitive, particularly following the injury of the Sun Devils' top receiver, Jordyn Tyson, last week, which left them at 11-2. The teams entered the game ranked closely, with only a single position separating them, and their statistics were nearly identical. However, the Sun Devils made a strong statement, propelled by their energetic playmaker, as they scored 35 consecutive points after the game was tied at 10. The Heisman Trophy discussion has prominently featured Colorado's Travis Hunter and Shedeur Sanders, along with Boise State's Ashton Jeanty. Although Skattebo's performance this season has not reached that elite level, it has certainly garnered attention within college football circles. After a solid but unremarkable previous season, he was not on the radar of NFL scouts. Nevertheless, Skattebo seized the opportunity to shine when it mattered most, as the Sun Devils competed in a conference championship game broadcast nationally. It is safe to say that he had more viewers focused on him than ever before on Saturday, and he delivered impressively. Skattebo accumulated 170 yards on 16 carries and caught two passes for 38 yards, including a notable 33-yard touchdown reception in the third quarter that extended ASU's lead to 45-10.

The 18 points and three touchdowns achieved by Skattebo equaled a record for the Big 12 championship game, while his total yardage for the season, combining 2,074 rushing and receiving yards, surpassed the previous school record of 1,905 yards set by Eno Benjamin in 2018. When questioned about his celebratory pose, Skattebo acknowledged it was a declaration of his feeling overlooked. Although he refrained from asserting that he should win the prestigious trophy, he expressed his belief that he deserves an invitation to the related events. "I have faced disrespect throughout my life," he remarked. "I have always been the underdog, and many fail to recognize that I am the top running back in the nation. I will stand firm in that belief, and if others choose to disregard it, I will continue to push forward and prove them wrong. The NFL team that selects me will acquire a valuable asset, and I will dedicate myself fully to them. While I may not secure the Heisman, I believe I should be considered for it." The first half concluded with ASU leading 24-10, bolstered by Skattebo's impressive 140 yards, 90 of which were gained after contact. His most notable run of the day was a 53-yard sprint during which he evaded five tackles. Any hopes the Cyclones had of mounting a comeback in the second half were swiftly extinguished, as ASU capitalized on three turnovers in the third quarter, converting each into touchdowns, leading to a decisive victory.

Dillingham firmly believes that Skattebo deserves a trip to New York City, even if his chances of winning the Heisman are slim. "I truly think he should be considered. He is certainly talented enough to be there. I’m not sure how he finished today; oh, he was 0 for 1 in passing," Dillingham quipped, alluding to Skattebo's attempt to throw the ball away rather than risk a significant loss. He recorded two receptions for 38 yards and one touchdown, accumulating nearly 200 total yards and three touchdowns, which is remarkable. This marks his third consecutive game with over 100 yards and multiple touchdowns in the first half, potentially. It is unclear what more he could do to elevate his candidacy. There are two other players who are currently leading the race, and while he may not surpass them, he certainly deserves to be in the conversation. Should he have the chance to be recognized? Absolutely." Skattebo's statistics could have been even more impressive, but the game was so well in hand that he exited early in the fourth quarter, along with freshman quarterback Sam Leavitt, who passed for 219 yards and three touchdowns, two of which were caught by Xavier Guillory. Iowa State coach Matt Campbell expressed his admiration for Skattebo. "He is an exceptional football player, and I have great respect for him," Campbell stated. "Whenever you witness a player of his caliber, it is essential to appreciate his talent. He is an 'A' player, and he delivered an 'A' performance today. In critical moments, you rely on your top players to excel, and he certainly did. Kudos to him.