The Texas Longhorns aren’t done yet. After a nail-biting 39-31 double-overtime victory over Arizona State at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, Texas punched its ticket to the College Football Playoff semifinals. Now, they’ll face Ohio State in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl with hopes of advancing to the national championship game.
Fourth-Quarter Collapse, Overtime Heroics
The Longhorns built a commanding 16-point lead but found themselves scrambling as Arizona State clawed back to force overtime. Quarterback Quinn Ewers, who struggled early in the game, refused to let the season slip away.
Facing fourth-and-13 in the first overtime, Ewers audibled to counter an Arizona State blitz. He connected with Matthew Golden for a clutch 28-yard touchdown pass, keeping Texas alive.
In the second overtime, Ewers struck again—this time with a laser pass to tight end Gunnar Helm for another touchdown. A successful two-point conversion put Texas up by eight, leaving the defense to seal the win.
Mukuba’s Moment: Defense Delivers the Knockout Punch
Texas’ defense had been pushed to its limits after 13 grueling minutes on the field in the third quarter. Arizona State running back Cam Skattebo wore them down, tying the game late in regulation.
But when it mattered most, safety Andrew Mukuba rose to the occasion. With Arizona State threatening to tie the game in the second overtime, Mukuba snagged a game-sealing interception at the Texas 10-yard line.
“It was on me,” Mukuba said after the win. “We want to get to the next round. I had to make that play.”
Coach Sarkisian Praises Grit and Toughness
Head coach Steve Sarkisian emphasized the team’s resilience in overcoming adversity.
“When our backs are against the wall and our best is needed, our best shows up,” Sarkisian said. “We’ll fix what needs to be fixed, but our toughness doesn’t need fixing.”
Ewers Redeems Himself After Past Playoff Heartbreak
Last year’s College Football Playoff ended in heartbreak for Ewers, whose incomplete pass in the Sugar Bowl ended Texas’ title hopes. This time, he delivered in the clutch, showing grit and confidence in overtime.
“It sure does feel a whole lot better to be on this side of things,” Ewers said. “With all the momentum swings, we stayed confident. The resiliency of these guys is unreal.”
Looking Ahead to Ohio State
The Longhorns now set their sights on Ohio State, entering the Cotton Bowl as five-point underdogs. With redemption in mind and momentum on their side, Texas hopes to return to Atlanta in 19 days to compete for a national championship.
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