Arizona State University’s (ASU) football team suffered a 24-14 defeat against Cincinnati on October 19, 2024, in a Big 12 conference matchup at Nippert Stadium.
The Sun Devils began the game positively, with running back Cam Skattebo scoring a two-yard touchdown following a 66-yard drive. Shortly after, defensive back Keith Abney secured an interception, seemingly setting ASU up for success.
However, the momentum shifted when ASU committed a turnover deep in their own territory, leading to a Cincinnati touchdown. The Bearcats capitalized on this opportunity and scored on four of their next five possessions, establishing a 24-7 lead by halftime. Cincinnati’s offense was spearheaded by running back Evan Pryor, who broke free for a 55-yard touchdown run, and quarterback Brendan Sorsby, who completed 17 of 23 passes for 148 yards.
ASU’s struggles were compounded by critical errors, including a lost fumble and two failed fourth-down conversion attempts in the first half. These mistakes hindered their offensive rhythm and allowed Cincinnati to control the game’s tempo.
In the second half, the Sun Devils’ defense tightened, preventing the Bearcats from scoring further. Offensively, ASU narrowed the gap to 24-14 with another touchdown from Skattebo, who finished the game with 75 rushing yards on 17 carries and 33 receiving yards. Quarterback Jeff Sims, making his first start for ASU, completed 12 of 23 passes for 155 yards and added 53 rushing yards.
Despite these efforts, ASU’s earlier mistakes proved insurmountable. The loss brought their season record to 5-2 overall and 2-2 in Big 12 play. Head coach Kenny Dillingham expressed his frustration with the team’s performance, particularly the special teams’ shortcomings, and even called for open tryouts to find a reliable kicker.
Looking ahead, the Sun Devils have a bye week before facing Oklahoma State on November 2, 2024. The team aims to address the issues highlighted in the loss to Cincinnati, focusing on ball security, decision-making on critical downs, and special teams performance to enhance their prospects for the remainder of the season.
For a more in-depth analysis of the game, you can watch the following video: