Arizona State Player Explains Apparent Cheap Shot vs. Colorado

Fans went after Sun Devils tailback Cam Skattebo for what appeared to be a cheap shot, but he says there’s more to the story.

Arizona State running back Cam Skattebo faced criticism on social media following his team’s 27–24 loss to Colorado on Saturday for appearing to take a cheap shot at a Buffaloes defender after the game was over.

However, Skattebo later explained that there’s more than meets the eye in regard to the incident. 

On the final play of the game, Sun Devils wide receiver Elijhah Badger was pushed out of bounds and appeared to flick the ball back onto the field behind him as other Arizona State players started to walk onto the field for postgame pleasantries. Seeing the ball rolling on the field, Buffaloes outside linebacker Jordan Domineck scooped it up and started to run with it—until Skattebo leveled him, leading to some pushing and shoving from both sides. 

Whistle wasn’t blown my man, no intent of hurting anyone !!!

— cameron skattebo (@camskattebo5) October 9, 2023

Fans criticized Skattebo on social media for the perceived cheap shot, so he decided to explain himself.

“Whistle wasn’t blown my man, no intent of hurting anyone !!!” he wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter, on Monday. 

From the video, Skattebo appeared to see Badger go out of bounds, but a whistle can’t be heard. The running back then turns around and sees Domineck sprinting with the ball, prompting the hit. It’s unclear whether the whistle was blown because Domineck apparently also thought the play was still live.

There’s been no mention of possible punishment as of yet for the tailback.