Texas tops Arizona State in double-OT to reach CFP…
ATLANTA — Texas averted the primary huge upset of the College Football Playoff, hitting a fourth-and-long landing go to keep the sport going and beating Cam Skattebo and Arizona State 39-31 in double additional time when an interception by Andrew Mukuba lastly ended a Peach Bowl quarterfinal traditional Wednesday.
Skattebo led the Sun Devils back from a 16-point deficit in the fourth quarter and put his crew forward for the primary time all day with a 3-yard landing run to begin additional time in opposition to No. 4 Texas (13-2).
Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers (3) raises the Peach Bowl trophy after successful the CFP quarterfinal at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga. Scott Kinser/CSM/Shutterstock
Head coach Steve Sarkisian of the Texas Longhorns hugs Michael Taaffe #16 after defeating the Arizona State Sun Devils 39-31 during the second additional time in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Getty Images
No. 10 Arizona State — a two-touchdown underdog in accordance to BetMGM Sportsbook — was on the verge of successful when Texas confronted fourth-and-13 on its first additional time possession. But Quinn Ewers discovered Matthew Golden breaking free behind two defenders to haul in a 28-yard landing.
After shifting to the alternative finish of Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Ewers threw a 25-yard landing go to Gunnar Helms on the very subsequent play, adopted by a 2-point conversion go to Golden.
The Longhorns lastly put Arizona State (11-3) away when Mukuba picked off Sam Leavitt’s go on the 3 to finish the sport.
Quinn Ewers #3 of the Texas Longhorns celebrates after operating the ball for a landing during the fourth quarter in opposition to the Arizona State Sun Devils in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 01, 2025. Getty Images
After a bunch of lopsided outcomes by way of the primary 5 video games of the expanded 12-team playoff, the format lastly produced a traditional that sends Texas back home for a Cotton Bowl semifinal on Jan. 10 in opposition to No. 1 Oregon or No. 6 Ohio State, who had been going through off in the Rose Bowl on Wednesday.
Despite being dominated on the stat sheet most of the sport, the Longhorns had a seemingly comfy 24-8 lead after scoring two early touchdowns and getting a 5-yard scoring run from Ewers with simply over 10 minutes remaining.
But Skattebo and the Sun Devils had been simply getting warmed up.
Texas defensive back Andrew Mukuba (4) intercepts a go meant for Arizona State broad receiver Melquan Stovall (5) during additional time in the quarterfinals of a College Football Playoff sport, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. AP
Bert Auburn #45 of the Texas Longhorns reacts after lacking a discipline purpose during the fourth quarter in opposition to the Arizona State Sun Devils in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 01, 2025 Getty Images
Matthew Golden of the Texas Longhorns catches a go for a landing during additional time in opposition to the Arizona State Sun Devils in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 01, 2025. Getty Images
The operating back who calls himself the best in the nation, Skattebo backed up his bravado with a efficiency for the ages, exhibiting each aspect of his all-around sport.
First, he took a pitch on fourth-and-2 and heaved a 42-yard landing go to Malik McClain that gave the Sun Devils a probability once they made the 2-point conversion.
Cam Skattebo #4 of the Arizona State Sun Devils reacts after a rating during the fourth quarter in opposition to the Texas Longhorns in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 01, 2025. Getty Images
Then, Skattebo broke unfastened down the sideline and hauled in a 62-yard throw from Leavitt — getting his helmet ripped off on the finish of the play, which appeared like the one manner to convey him down.
That set up a 2-yard landing run by the bowling ball of a back, and it was solely acceptable that Skattebo additionally powered in for the 2-point conversion that tied the sport at 24 with 5 minutes remaining.
Texas had a pair of probabilities to win in regulation, however Bert Auburn was broad proper on a 48-yard discipline purpose attempt and clanked one off the left upright from 38 yards away as time expired.
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