As the Texas Longhorns cruised into halftime with a 17-3 lead over the Arizona State Sun Devils, it seemed that a Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl victory was comfortably within reach.
But the second half quickly threatened to revoke the Longhorns’ chance at moving into the next stage of the College Football Playoff.
In a nail-biter of a matchup against ASU that went into double overtime, Texas pulled away with a 39-31 victory, but the sudden burnout in offensive production left the team to prove its resiliency once more.
The Longhorns were held to 53 total rushing yards, making ASU the only other opponent besides Georgia to not allow more than 100 rushing yards from Texas.
Despite this setback, sophomore running back Quintrevion Wisner said it was just another test that comes with playing for a national championship.
“(We showed) just how we can consistently face adversity,” Wisner said. “Things aren’t always going to go our way, but just being able to stay together as a team and just chase the goal we have at hand.”
An explosive first quarter showcased back-to-back scoring drives, starting with a 54-yard reception by junior wide receiver Matthew Golden and a 23-yard catch by sophomore wide receiver DeAndre Moore Jr. for a touchdown. Texas’ next drive lasted a mere 41 seconds, as senior wide receiver Silas Bolden returned a punt 75 yards all the way to the house.
The energy for Texas roared throughout the stadium, yet it would soon clash with ASU’s crowd as the Sun Devils defense gained traction in the second half.
ASU held Texas to just eight yards of offense in the third quarter, having negative three rushing yards, 11 passing yards and two sacks against junior starting quarterback Quinn Ewers. The Longhorns faced their first scoreless quarter of the game, while the Sun Devils capitalized on five points from a safety and another field goal.
The fourth quarter revealed a rhythm between ASU redshirt freshman starting quarterback Sam Leavitt and senior running back Cam Skattebo that had been discussed all week. The duo assisted in a 16-point surge to tie the game 24-24 with five minutes left, and although Ewers set up two potential game-sealing drives, they were rendered useless thanks to two back-to-back missed field goals.
Tensions began to rise as Skattebo punched in a touchdown for ASU to tie the game and made a statement, leaving Texas with no choice but to reciprocate to stay in the game.
With all of the offensive momentum having been completely shut down, the Longhorns brought themselves back into a championship-level flow when it mattered most.
Backs against the wall in overtime, Ewers sailed a 28-yard pass to junior wide receiver Matthew Golden in the end zone on a 4th-and-13, reviving hopes of a Longhorn win. In the first play of the next drive, Ewers completed another pass, this time to senior tight end Gunnar Helm, for another touchdown and two-point conversion to start the second overtime.
“Obviously (there were) a lot of nerves, but we called the play, and as soon as (Ewers) floated that ball over the safety’s head and Matt (Golden) made a great catch in the back of the end zone, I think there was a huge sigh of relief,” Helm said. “I think that momentum definitely carried in the second overtime.”
Texas regained control and put ASU in a 3rd-and-8 situation as the Sun Devils attempted to match the score once again, but an interception by senior defensive back Andrew Mukuba sealed the deal for Texas.
Ewers was able to complete all but one pass in overtime for a 75% pass completion rating, his best performance of the night aside from one attempted and completed pass in the third quarter.
The Longhorns now move to the semifinals of the College Football Playoff in Dallas and will face the Ohio State Buckeyes on Jan. 10.
