Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1530530
J A N U A R Y 2 0 2 5 2 7 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// S C O U T I N G R E P O R T ////////// COACH Kenny Dillingham (14-11 in two seasons; overall collegiate record: same) 2024 RECORD 11-2, 7-2 Big 12 PLAYOFF RECORD First appearance OFFENSE Running back Cam Skattebo has been the key performer on offense for Arizona State, total- ing 1,568 yards and 19 touchdowns. He had 208 yards of total offense and 3 scores against Iowa State in the Big 12 title game, assuring the Sun Devils a spot in the playoff field. Quarterback Sam Leavitt has completed 63.2 percent of his attempts for 2,663 yards, with 24 touchdowns and 5 interceptions. DEFENSE The Sun Devils don't create a lot of pres- sure, ranking ninth in the Big 12 with 21 sacks, yet their 15 interceptions are second in the conference, with cornerback Keith Abney II supplying a team- high 3 picks. Safety Myles "Ghost" Rowser is the Sun Devils' leading tackler with 93 stops. SPECIAL TEAMS Kicking has been an issue for Arizona State. Three kickers have combined to go 9 of 17 on field goal attempts. PLAYOFF OUTLOOK In their first season of Big 12 membership, the Sun Devils won the league title in convincing fashion, dismantling Iowa State, 45-19, in the title game. They won't be favored to play for a na- tional championship, but their presence in the CFP is a remarkable feat in itself. A year ago, in Dillingham's first season as head coach, the Sun Devils were 3-9. NO. 4 SEED ARIZONA STATE SUN DEVILS CAM SKATTEBO Rushed for 170 yards in the Big 12 title game. COACH Kirby Smart (105-18 in nine seasons; overall collegiate record: same) 2024 RECORD 11-2, 6-2 SEC PLAYOFF RECORD 5-1 in three previous appear- ances with two national championships OFFENSE Carson Beck has completed 64.7 per- cent of his passes for 3,485 yards, with 28 touch- downs and 12 interceptions. But how healthy is he going to be after suffering an elbow injury just before halftime of the SEC Championship Game? That's the big question surrounding a Georgia offense that has been much more reliant on the pass than the run this year. DEFENSE Throughout Smart's tenure as head coach, the Bulldogs have been known for their pun- ishing defense. That hasn't always been the case this year, though, with Georgia allowing 332.1 yards and 20.5 points per game, to rank ninth and seventh, re- spectively, in the SEC. Linebacker Jalon Walker has 6.5 sacks and 10.5 tackles for loss, leading Georgia in both categories. SPECIAL TEAMS Peyton Woodring has been very reliable, hitting 20 of 22 field goal tries, with a long kick of 55 yards. PLAYOFF OUTLOOK Georgia has been an enigma all year long, routing Texas in Austin when the Longhorns were No. 1 but also losing to Alabama and Ole Miss and needing eight overtimes to finish off unranked Georgia Tech in the regular-season finale. Beck's injury in the rematch with Texas has added another element of uncertainty to the Bull- dogs' outlook. NO. 2 SEED GEORGIA BULLDOGS CARSON BECK Injured in SEC title game against Texas. COACH Dan Lanning (35-5 in three seasons; overall collegiate record: same) 2024 RECORD 13-0, 9-0 Big Ten PLAYOFF RECORD 1-1 in one previous appearance OFFENSE Oklahoma transfer Dillon Gabriel has been as good as advertised in his first and only season with the Ducks. He has completed 73.2 percent of his passes for 3,558 yards and 28 touchdowns, with 6 interceptions. It helps that he's surrounded by one of the conference's best collections of skill-position tal- ent, a list highlighted by running back Jordan James (1,253 yards, 15 touchdowns) and receiver Tez Johnson (866 yards, 10 touchdowns). DEFENSE Star defensive end Jordan Burch has been in and out of the lineup due to injuries, but the Ducks have been solid. They lead the Big Ten with 40 sacks, thanks largely to Matayo Uiagalelei. The sophomore linebacker has a league-high 10.5 sacks, along with 12.5 tackles for loss. Former walk-on Bryce Boettcher leads the team with 87 tackles. SPECIAL TEAMS Atticus Sappington has made 14 of 16 field goal attempts, with a long kick of 42 yards. PLAYOFF OUTLOOK The Ducks have beaten three playoff qualifiers this year, topping Boise State, Ohio State and Penn State. The Lions found some holes in their defense, totaling 518 yards including 292 on the ground. But the way Oregon's offense has been play- ing lately, it might not matter. NO. 1 SEED OREGON DUCKS DILLON GABRIEL Led Oregon to the Big Ten championship.