Arizona State gave Texas all it could handle in the Peach Bowl on Wednesday, forcing two overtime periods before the Longhorns finally came up with a game-saving play.
Texas defensive back Andrew Mukuba made a goal-line interception off Arizona State quarterback Sam Leavitt on the final play. Mukuba was looking to tie the game and force a third overtime after Longhorns quarterback Quinn Ewers threw a touchdown pass on the first play of the second overtime, with a successful two-point conversion.
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Texas Longhorns quarterback Quinn Ewers (3) celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown against the Arizona State Sun Devils during the second half of the Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. (Images by Dale Zanine-Imagn)
The interception helped prevent the possibility of the biggest upset of the new CFP format, and what could have been one of the biggest upsets in sports history.
Texas, ranked No. 3 in the nation, came into the game as a 13.5-point favorite. But the No. 12 Sun Devils never gave up, as running back Cam Skattebo racked up 143 rushing yards with two touchdowns and 99 receiving yards to lead the near-surprise effort.
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Texas Longhorns quarterback Quinn Ewers (3) runs the ball as Arizona State Sun Devils linebacker Keyshaun Elliott (44) chases in the second quarter as the Texas Longhorns play the Arizona State Sun Devils in the quarterfinals of the Peach Bowl College Football Playoff at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, January 1, 2025. (Sara Diggins/American-Statesman/USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
But Ewers kept things in control for the Longhorns, throwing for 322 yards with three touchdowns while receiver Matthew Golden added 149 yards with a touchdown reception.
Golden’s touchdown reception came on a critical 4th-and-13 play in the first overtime period, when Texas was one play away from elimination. Golden opened up at midfield and caught Ewers’ pass to force the second overtime and give the Longhorns a chance to avoid the historic upset.
The Texas defense, including Texas Longhorns defensive lineman Dorian Black (86), stops Arizona State Sun Devils running back Cam Skattebo (4) in the first quarter as the Texas Longhorns play the Arizona State Sun Devils in the quarterfinals of the Peach Bowl College Football Playoff at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, January 1, 2025. (Sara Diggins/American-Statesman/USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
Texas will now advance to the semifinal where it will face the winner of the Rose Bowl matchup between Oregon and Ohio State.
