After a slow start, the Arizona State Sun Devils leaned into their physical style of football, almost pulling off a shocking upset in the Peach Bowl on New Year’s Day.
Arizona State entered the game as a heavy underdog, trailing Texas 17-3 at halftime. Despite the deficit, head coach Kenny Dillingham’s team stuck to their identity: focusing on the ground game with Cam Skattebo and maintaining their physical edge. This approach paid off, helping them claw their way back into a game that ended in a double-overtime 39-31 loss.
Nick Saban, speaking on a sports show, highlighted the importance of Arizona State’s approach. He remarked that once the team settled into their game plan, they became the physical team they had been all season. Skattebo, a key part of their offense, led the way with 143 rushing yards out of the team’s 214 total on the ground. Arizona State finished with an impressive 510 total yards, significantly outpacing Texas’ 375 yards.
Saban praised the Sun Devils’ ability to stay true to their strengths, which turned a seemingly one-sided game into an instant classic. He noted that Arizona State’s physicality even outmatched Texas at times, a testament to their resilience and adherence to their identity.
The game also brought attention to Texas’ struggles late in regulation, particularly their kicking game. Texas kicker Bert Auburn missed a 48-yard field goal with the game tied at 24 and less than two minutes remaining. Later, with the score still tied, Auburn hit the left upright on a potential game-winning kick as time expired, pushing the game into overtime.
Saban expressed his disagreement with Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian’s decision to speak with Auburn before the final kick. Saban explained that he never talked to kickers before crucial moments, believing that additional pressure could disrupt their confidence. Auburn’s inconsistency this season, having made only 64% of his kicks, was a factor in the game’s outcome.
Ultimately, Arizona State’s commitment to their physical style and their refusal to stray from their identity turned the Peach Bowl into one of the most competitive games of the College Football Play
off so far.