The No. 4 Arizona State Sun Devils left it all on the field and played a tremendous game against the No. 5 Texas Longhorns on Wednesday afternoon in the famous Peach Bowl.

Trailing 24-8 well into the fourth quarter, the Sun Devils, fueled by the persistence and talent of star running back Cam Skattebo, mounted a remarkable comeback. They tied the game at 24 apiece and forced overtime, where they ultimately fell 39-31.

Nonetheless, what head coach Kenny Dillingham has built with the Arizona State football program has been nothing short of impressive, and it’s happened in a remarkably short time.

Following the game, as the team walked off the field, a heartwarming interaction between Skattebo and Dillingham caught the attention of many.

Check it out: 

The relationship between these two has been on full display all season. Whenever the Sun Devils needed a spark, head coach Kenny Dillingham relied on the shoulders of Cam Skattebo, and more often than not, it paid off.

Dillingham took over the program just a few seasons ago and has already transformed it into a prominent destination for recruits—something Arizona State had struggled to maintain before his arrival.

Now, Dillingham will have to move forward without Skattebo, whose future now lies in the NFL. Yet, he certainly went out with a bang on the national stage, rushing 30 times for 143 yards, two touchdowns, hauling in eight receptions for 99 yards, and even throwing a touchdown pass.

Arizona State running back Cam Skattebo (4) blows a kiss toward the fans after Texas won 39-31 over Arizona State in double overtime in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl in Atlanta on Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025.

© Michael Chow/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Both Skattebo and Dillingham are astounding talents—one a rising star headed to the NFL, the other emerging quickly in the coaching ranks. Despite the doubters, they proved throughout the game against Texas that they truly belonged.