Iowa State vs Arizona State final score, highlights: Sun Devils dominate to win Big 12 title
By the middle of the afternoon on Saturday deep in the heart of Texas, another team clinched its spot in the College Football Playoff.
In a matchup of the conference's top two teams, No. 13 Arizona State rolled past No. 16 Iowa State 45-19 Saturday in the Big 12 championship game in Arlington, Texas.
Running back Cam Skattebo led the way for the Sun Devils, racking up 208 total yards (170 rushing, 38 receiving) and three touchdowns on just 18 touches (16 carries and two catches) in the win. Quarterback Sam Leavitt was stellar, as well, completing 12 of his 17 passes for 219 yards and three touchdowns, two of which went to wide receiver Xavier Guillory.
Forks Up! Celebrate ASU's Big 12 title with a new book
Arizona State ran away with a game that was tied at 10 with 11 minutes remaining in the second quarter. It capitalized on three Iowa State turnovers on its first three drives of the third quarter, turning each into a touchdown to outscore the Cyclones 21-0 in the period and roll out to a 45-10 lead.
With the victory, the Sun Devils secured a berth in the 12-team playoff. The biggest question now surrounding Arizona State is whether its 25-point thumping of Iowa State will be enough to lift it past No. 10 Boise State to become the fourth highest-rated conference champion in the playoff field, which would give it a first-round bye and an automatic spot in the national quarterfinals. At the very least, with an 11-2 record and a Power Four conference title to their name, the Sun Devils could move past an at-large team like Alabama and avoid being the playoff field's No. 12 seed.
It was a matchup few would have envisioned entering the season. Neither the Cyclones nor the Sun Devils were picked among the top five teams in the Big 12's preseason poll, with Iowa State at fifth and Arizona State in last place in the newly expanded 16-team conference.
For the Sun Devils, the turnaround was particularly drastic: After going 3-9 in 2023, coach Kenny Dillingham's first season at the helm of the program, Arizona State finished 10-2 overall and 7-2 in conference play its first season in the Big 12, tying it with Iowa State atop the league standings.
Here's a look at the score, updates, highlights and more from Arizona State's Big 12 championship game victory against Iowa State:
Big 12 championship game score updates
| TEAMS | 1Q | 2Q | 3Q | 4Q | F |
| Iowa State | 7 | 3 | 0 | 9 | 19 |
| Arizona State | 10 | 14 | 21 | 0 | 45 |
Big 12 championship game live updates
Final: Arizona State 45, Iowa State 19
With a few kneel-downs, the Sun Devils secure the Big 12 championship, defeating Iowa State 45-19 to win a conference in which they were picked to finish last entering the season.
It's the school's first outright conference championship since 1996, when they went 11-0 in the regular season, won the Pac-10 and made the Rose Bowl with a team led by Jake Plummer and Pat Tillman.
Rocco Becht throws TD in return to game
Rocco Becht came back into the game for the first time since taking the huge hit from Shamari Simmons and being evaluated by Iowa State medical personnel. He responds by leading the Cyclones 68 yards up the field in eight plays, including a first-down run on which he opted not to slide at the end.
Becht finishes things off by hitting Jaylin Noel in stride for a 25-yard touchdown pass. A Becht pass on the 2-point conversion is broken up, so it's 45-19 with 7:32 left.
Becht returns to the sideline and doesn't appear keen about some of his teammates tapping him on the head, given the part of his body that absorbed the Simmons hit. Would have to assume that'll be it for Becht.
Arizona State pulls out Cam Skattebo and Sam Leavitt, puts in backups
If there weren't enough signs this game was over, Kenny Dillingham just provided the latest glimpse.
The Arizona State coach pulls many of his starters, including Cam Skattebo and Sam Leavitt, and puts in its backups, including quarterback Jeff Sims, a former starter at Nebraska and Georgia Tech. The Sun Devils go three-and-out and punt, giving Iowa State the ball back with 10 minutes remaining.
Iowa State FG ends Cyclones' scoring drought
After the Shamari Simmons targeting ejection kept its drive alive, Iowa State gets on the board, though it has to settle for a 24-yard Kyle Konrardy field goal.
The kick gave the Cyclones their first points since 13:51 remained in the second quarter. Since then, they had been outscored 35-0 by Arizona State.
Rocco Becht injury update
After absorbing the huge hit from Shamari Simmons on the fourth down, Rocco Becht has been taken back to the Iowa State locker room to be evaluated by Iowa State medical personnel, according to ESPN sideline reporter Katie George.
After his team finished the drive with a field goal, Becht returned to the Iowa State sideline. As the Cyclones returned to the field, so, too, did Becht, starting for Iowa State during its fourth-quarter drive with 10 minutes remaining in regulation.
Shamari Simmons ejected for targeting for Arizona State
On a fourth-and-3, Arizona State's Shamari Simmons had a clear path to Iowa State quarterback Rocco Becht, who was hit hard and dropped for a 10-yard loss. However, upon review, the officials determined that Simmons was guilty of targeting, allowing Iowa State to continue its drive (with Becht on the sideline) and ejecting Simmons from the game. With the penalty, Simmons will now miss the first half of Arizona State's College Football Playoff game.
It's a notable loss for the Sun Devils. Simmons is the team's No. 4 tackler and has three interceptions and two forced fumbles this season.
End of third quarter: Arizona State 45, Iowa State 10
A lopsided third quarter ends with Arizona State holding on to a commanding 45-10 lead after outscoring Iowa State 21-0 in the period. The Cyclones will have a fourth-and-3 from the Sun Devils' 35-yard line when the fourth quarter begins.
Iowa State fumble leads to another Cam Skattebo TD
In what's becoming a maddeningly familiar trend for Iowa State, another Cyclones turnover leads to another Arizona State touchdown.
Abu Sama's second fumble of the second half gives the Sun Devils the ball at the Iowa State 38-yard line. Two plays later, on a third-and-5, Sam Leavitt swings a pass out to Cam Skattebo, who goes untouched for 33 yards and is basically able to walk into the end zone to push his team's lead to 35-10.
Skattebo is up to 208 total yards — 170 rushing, 38 receiving — and three touchdowns on the day.
Xavier Guillory TD catch puts Arizona State up 28
This game is officially a rout.
Arizona State is yet again able to get the most out of an Iowa State turnover in its own territory, traversing the 26 yards to the end zone in just three plays, much of which is taken care of by a Sam Leavitt 21-yard touchdown pass to Xavier Guillory. It's Guillory's second touchdown catch in just 71 seconds.
The Sun Devils are now up 38-10 with 6:27 remaining in the quarter. The question is now becoming not who will win this game, but whether Arizona State has potentially done enough to jump Boise State as the fourth highest-rated conference champion...or at least avoiding the No. 12 seed in the playoff field.
Rocco Becht INT gives Arizona State the ball back
Iowa State's first drive of the second half was prematurely ended by a turnover. Its second one was, too.
Needing a scoring drive of some sort to get back into the game, Cyclones quarterback Rocco Becht attempted a pass on first-and-15 from his team's own 17-yard line, only for his pass to bounce off the helmet of one of his offensive linemen and end up in the hands of Keith Abney II of Arizona State, which will take over at the Iowa State 26 after an 8-yard return.
Arizona State adds another TD, goes up 21
What was a back-and-forth, closely contested game for much of the first half is starting to get away from Iowa State.
Arizona State is able to capitalize on the Iowa State fumble with an 11 play, 43-yard drive that was made possible by a Sam Leavitt 9-yard scramble up the middle on a fourth-and-6 from the Iowa State 39-yard line. Seven plays later, Leavitt finds an open Xavier Guillory for an 8-yard touchdown pass that extends the Sun Devils' lead to 31-10 with 7:44 left in the quarter.
Arizona State forces Iowa State fumble, takes over in Cyclones territory
Trailing by two touchdowns, Iowa State had a chance to get back into the game with the opening drive of the second half. It wasn't able to capitalize.
On a second-and-4 from his team's own 43-yard line, Cyclones running back Abu Sama had the ball knocked out of his hands by the helmet of Sun Devils defensive back Javan Robinson, with Arizona State pouncing on the ball to take over at the Iowa State 43.
Halftime: Arizona State 24, Iowa State 10
With the Sun Devils up 14 at halftime — and with Ne-Yo performing, for anyone who wants to rekindle high-school dance memories — here's a look at some of the key stats from the opening 30 minutes:
- Total yards: Arizona State 317, Iowa State 194
- Passing yards: Arizona State 147, Iowa State 108
- Rushing yards: Arizona State 170, Iowa State 86
- Yards per play: Arizona State 12.2, Iowa State 5.4
- Yards per rush: Arizona State 10, Iowa State 5.1
- First downs: Arizona State 14, Iowa State 9
- Third downs: Iowa State 3-6, Arizona State 1-4
- Penalties: Arizona State 4-33, Iowa State 1-5
And some individual stats:
Arizona State
- Sam Leavitt: 6 of 8 passing, 147 yards; 5 rushes, 27 yards
- Cam Skattebo: 10 carries, 140 yards, 2 touchdowns; 1 catch, 5 yards
- Melquan Stovall: 2 catches, 85 yards
Iowa State
- Rocco Becht: 12 of 19 passing, 108 yards, 1 touchdown
- Carson Hansen: 6 carries, 35 yards; 1 receiving touchdown
- Abu Sama III: 5 carries, 32 yards
- Jayden Higgins: 4 catches, 58 yards
Another Cam Skattebo TD doubles Arizona State lead
The Sun Devils make the most of their final possession before the half and get a touchdown from — who else? — Skattebo.
The Arizona State star running back got Arizona State into the red zone on the first play of the drive, rumbling 53 yards to the Iowa State 19-yard line.
From there, yet another Sam Leavitt scramble goes for 12 yards down to the Iowa State 2. On the next play, Skattebo barrels into the end zone to extend the Sun Devils' lead to 14, 24-10, with 31 seconds left in the half. Skattebo is now up to 140 yards and two touchdowns on just 10 carries.
Iowa State punts
The Cyclones' drive doesn't end up going anywhere, with a three-and-out forcing them to punt deep in their own territory. A 48-yard punt, along with a 10-yard illegal block in the back penalty, gives Arizona State the ball at its own 28-yard line with 1:40 remaining in the half.
Arizona State punts after Iowa State sack knocks it out of FG range
It took nearly 30 minutes of game time, but at last, we have a punt.
Arizona State appeared poised to take a multi-possession lead after a Sam Leavitt 43-yard pass to Malik McClain that got the Sun Devils down to the Iowa State 29-yard line, but Leavitt is dropped for an 8-yard loss on third-and-10, pushing Arizona State back to the 37 and prompting Kenny Dillingham to punt.
A 32-yard punt gives the Cyclones the ball at their own 10 with 2:46 left. Iowa State has a chance to double up as it gets the ball to open the second half. That sack could be a potential game-changer.
Iowa State misses FG
Iowa State embarks another long drive, but this time, it comes away with no points. The Cyclones go 47 yards in 11 plays, but Kyle Konrardy misses a 46-yard field goal attempt far to the left.
The field goal was set up after a controversial third-and-8 in which Rocco Becht escaped a couple of sack attempts and threw the ball near the pylon to Carson Brown. Brown was fighting through some noticeable contact from Arizona State defensive back Keith Abney II, but the officials don't throw a flag for pass interference.
Cam Skattebo TD gives Arizona State lead
The Arizona State offense continues to absolutely roll — and do so behind a familiar face.
With the game tied, Cam Skattebo starts the drive with a rumblin, stumblin, bumblin 47-yard run that got the Sun Devils to the Iowa State 28-yard line.
At that point in the game, Skattebo had 82 rushing yards, 66 of which came after contact. A 14-yard Sam Leavitt scramble got Arizona State down to the Cyclones' 3 and on the very next play, Skattebo finishes things off with a touchdown run. The Sun Devils lead 17-10 with 10:49 left in the quarter, with 210 total yards and 11.7 yards per play.
Iowa State FG ties game
Yet another smooth, methodical drive for Iowa State, which goes 57 yards in 10 plays. After getting to the Arizona State 9-yard line with a first-and-goal, the Cyclones stalled a bit, with a penalty and a 5-yard loss on a passing play pushing them back to the Arizona State 18.
Kyle Konrardy finishes the possession off with a 36-yard field goal to tie the game at 10.
End of first quarter: Arizona State 10, Iowa State 7
The first quarter ends with Iowa State on the move, down to the Arizona State 18-yard line, with a first-and-10. Both offenses had their way in the opening 15 minutes, with the Sun Devils averaging 10.4 yards per play and the Cyclones 7.2 yards per play. The teams combined for 258 total yards.
Fourth-down gamble leads to Arizona State TD
There's a coach with the last name Campbell roaming one of the sidelines, but it was Arizona State's Kenny Dillingham who conjured images of Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell with a ballsy fourth-down call. On a fourth-and-inches near the Arizona State 35-yard line, the Sun Devils not only go for it, but air it out, with Sam Leavitt finding an open Melquan Stovall behind the Iowa State secondary for a 63-yard gain down to the Cyclones' 3.
After what would have been a Cam Skattebo 17-yard loss is wiped out after the running back, who took the direct snap, throws it away with a receiver in the area to avoid intentional grounding, the Sun Devils find the end zone on third-and-goal, with Leavitt running it in for a 3-yard score while following some key blocking from Skattebo.
With an extra point, it's 10-7 Arizona State with 2:46 left in the first quarter. A really fun first quarter so far.
Iowa State responds with go-ahead TD
After allowing the early field goal, Iowa State responds about as resoundingly as it could have.
The Cyclones move up the field with relative ease, going 75 yards in 11 plays on a drive in which they had four plays go for at least seven yards. It's finished off with a 3-yard touchdown pass from Rocco Becht to a wide-open Carson Hansen to put Iowa State up 7-3 with 6:30 left in the first quarter.
Becht completed five of six passes for 33 yards on the scoring drive.
Arizona State finishes opening drive with FG
The Sun Devils open the game by going 60 yards in seven plays, highlighted by a 28-yard run from Cam Skattebo on the first play from scrimmage. Arizona State had a third-and-10 from the Iowa State 22-yard line, but quarterback Sam Leavitt's scramble finished three yards shy of a first down.
The Sun Devils finish off the drive with a 32-yard kick from Carston Kieffer, his first career made field goal, to earn the first points of the day.
Pregame
College GameDay picks for Big 12 championship game
The Big 12 championship was among the matchups ESPN's "College GameDay" picked while broadcasting live from Atlanta ahead of the SEC championship game.
Here's who the crew, including celebrity guest-picker Timothée Chalamet, went with:
- Desmond Howard: Iowa State
- Nick Saban: Arizona State
- Pat McAfee: Arizona State
- Timothée Chalamet: Arizona State
- Kirk Herbstreit: Iowa State
Arizona State and Iowa State uniforms for Big 12 championship game
As the higher seed, Arizona State is the designated home team for the Big 12 championship game. It will wear maroon jerseys, yellow pants and its yellow helmet featuring a trident-wielding Sparky, the school's mascot.
Iowa State, meanwhile, will be wearing white jerseys, white pants and white helmets with a script Cyclones decal.
Brett Yormark: Big 12 champion should be seeded higher than Boise State
During a pre-game news conference, Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark made the case for either Arizona State or Iowa State to get a coveted first-round bye in the College Football Playoff as one of the four highest-rated conference champions.
As things stand heading into Saturday's game, Mountain West champion Boise State is widely projected as the fourth and final conference champion to receive a first-round bye. The Broncos are No. 10 in the most recent playoff selection committee rankings while the Sun Devils are No. 15 and the Cyclones No. 16.
"There should be no comparison between us and any G5 (Group of Five) conference champion," Yormark said. "Strength of schedule matters. We play nine conference games. We mandated 10 (Power Four opponents). We know the data points. I won't into too much of that today. I'll double down on that for sure. Hopefully, the selection committee will do what they need to do. I have a lot of trust and faith in them. They've heard my point of view. It's pretty public."
Benjamin Brahmer injury update
Iowa State may have one of its top pass-catchers for its biggest game of the season.
Cyclones tight end Benjamin Brahmer is "expected to attempt to return" today after missing his team's past five games, according to a report Saturday morning from ESPN's Pete Thamel. Brahmer left Iowa State's October 19 win against UCF and was spotted on the sideline on crutches and with a full brace on his right leg.
Prior to the injury, Brahmer had 10 catches for 179 yards and a touchdown. Despite missing nearly half the regular season, he's the Cyclones' fourth-leading receiver.
Big 12 championship game time today
- Date: Saturday, Dec. 7
- Time: Noon ET
- Location: AT&T Stadium (Arlington, Texas)
The 2024 Big 12 championship game between Iowa State and Arizona State is scheduled to kick off at noon ET on Saturday, Dec. 7 from AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, the home venue of the NFL's Dallas Cowboys.
What channel is the Big 12 championship game on today?
The Big 12 championship game between Iowa State and Arizona State will air on ABC. Joe Tessitore (play-by-play) and Jesse Palmer (analyst) will be on the call while Katie George will serve as the sideline reporter.
Streaming options for the game include the ESPN App, ESPN+ and Fubo.
Watch the Big 12 championship game live with Fubo
Iowa State vs Arizona State history
- Series record: First meeting
Big 12 championship game predictions
Below are picks and predictions for Saturday's Big 12 championship game:
- Sports Illustrated: Arizona State moneyline
- Covers.com: Arizona State (-2.5)
- ESPN: Iowa State has 55.1% chance to win
Big 12 championship game betting odds
Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Wednesday, Dec. 4
- Spread: Arizona State (-2.5)
- Over/under: 49.5 points
- Moneyline: Arizona State (-125) | Iowa State (+105)
Big 12 championship game injury updates
Arizona State
- WR Jordyn Tyson, out
Iowa State
- TE Benjamin Brahmer, expected to attempt to play
Big 12 championship game weather update
According to a forecast from The Weather Channel, there will be periods of rain Saturday in Arlington, Texas, with a 90% chance of precipitation and a high of 49 degrees. Thankfully for Iowa State, Arizona State and fans of both schools, AT&T Stadium is an indoor venue, meaning they'll only have to brave the elements on their way into the stadium.
Iowa State football schedule 2024
- Saturday, Aug. 31: vs. North Dakota (W, 21-3)
- Saturday, Sept. 7: at No. 21 Iowa (W, 20-19)
- Saturday, Sept. 21: vs. Arkansas State (W, 52-7)
- Saturday, Sept. 28: at Houston* (W, 20-0)
- Saturday, Oct. 5: vs. Baylor* (W, 43-21)
- Saturday, Oct. 12: at West Virginia* (W, 28-16)
- Saturday, Oct. 19: vs. UCF* (L, 38-35)
- Saturday, Nov. 2: vs. Texas Tech* (L, 23-22)
- Saturday, Nov. 9: at Kansas* (L, 45-36)
- Saturday, Nov. 16: vs. Cincinnati* (W, 34-17)
- Saturday, Nov. 23: at Utah* (W, 31-28)
- Saturday, Nov. 30: vs. Kansas State* (W, 29-21)
- Saturday, Dec. 7: vs. No. 13 Arizona State* (Big 12 championship game)
- Record: 10-2, 7-2 Big 12
* Denotes Big 12 game
Arizona State football schedule 2024
- Saturday, Aug. 31: vs. Wyoming (W, 48-7)
- Saturday, Sept. 7: vs. Mississippi State (W, 30-23)
- Thursday, Sept. 12: at Texas State (W, 31-28)
- Saturday, Sept. 21: at Texas Tech* (L, 30-22)
- Saturday, Oct. 5: vs. Kansas* (W, 35-31)
- Friday, Oct. 11: vs. No. 17 Utah* (W, 27-19)
- Saturday, Oct. 19: at Cincinnati* (L, 24-14)
- Saturday, Nov. 2: at Oklahoma State* (W, 42-21)
- Saturday, Nov. 9: vs. UCF* (W, 35-31)
- Saturday, Nov. 16: at No. 19 Kansas State* (W, 24-14)
- Saturday, Nov. 23: vs. No. 15 BYU* (W, 28-23)
- Saturday, Nov. 30: at Arizona* (W, 49-7)
- Saturday, Dec. 7: vs. No. 16 Iowa State* (Big 12 championship game)
- Record: 10-2, 7-2 Big 12
* Denotes Big 12 game
Iowa State football news
- Hines: Making sense of the 'make believe' College Football Playoff rankings
- Iowa State signing day live updates: Latest signing news, recruiting rankings
- Can the Iowa State football defense slow down Arizona State star running back Cam Skattebo?
Arizona State football news
- Arizona State football looks to build on 2024 success with latest high school signing class
- Jordyn Tyson injury update: Star Arizona State WR out for rest of 2024 season
- Arizona State's Kenny Dillingham turns heads with speech vs Arizona: 'Twist the knife'
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