Arizona State’s running back could pose issues for the Kansas football defense

Kansas football defensive coordinator Brian Borland talked about what the defense must correct this week. It has gotten tired and ran out of juice late in the game, surrendering go-ahead touchdowns in the final two minutes against UNLV and West Virginia. Well, they say good running backs wear out defenses, and the Jayhawks have their work cut out for them when they face off vs. Arizona State on Saturday.

If KU fans aren’t familiar with the name Cameron Skattebo yet, they will be soon. The Sun Devils’ jack of all trades is one of the most versatile players in the nation and will undoubtedly pose issues for Borland’s unit.

Kansas football could have tough time containing Arizona State's RB

A senior from Rio Linda, California, Skattebo spent the first three years of his collegiate career at Sacramento State. He transferred to ASU after winning Big Sky Offensive Player of the Year in 2022 and made an immediate impact a season ago.

Skattebo had one of the best rushing performances of the college football season in Week 2 against Mississippi State. The bell-cow back rushed for 262 yards on 33 carries, adding three receptions for 33 yards en route to a close win. His yardage output has decreased over the past two contests, but he scored two touchdowns in each of those games. 

While the majority of his production comes on the ground, he can line up anywhere on the gridiron — use NFL Swiss army knife Taysom Hill as a reference. In 2023, he took over 50 snaps at quarterback, two at tight end, over 100 at wide receiver, and even punted the ball away eight times for an excellent 42.3-yard average. Skattebo was a national finalist for the Paul Hornung Award for the nation's most versatile player, and he has continued on the same trajectory during ASU's first four games.

Kansas has to draft a defensive scheme focused on minimizing the impact of Skattebo, whose presence will be felt across the field. If KU can stifle Arizona State’s rushing attack and put them in passing situations, they’ll have a good shot at leaving with a road win in Tempe.