Our Clients:

Field Level Media - Professional sports content solutions | FLM

Jan 1, 2025 5:44 pm

No. 5 Texas blows big lead, recovers to beat No. 4 Arizona State

texas longhorns

ATLANTA — Quinn Ewers threw a go-ahead 25-yard touchdown to Gunnar Helm, helping No. 5 Texas beat No. 4 Arizona State 39-31 in double overtime on Wednesday in a College Football Playoff quarterfinal game at the Peach Bowl.

Texas’ Andrew Mukuba intercepted Sam Leavitt on the ensuing possession, clinching the win for Texas (13-2), which squandered a 16-point fourth-quarter lead. Ewers completed 20 of 30 passes for 322 yards, three touchdowns and an interception. Matthew Golden caught seven passes for 149 yards and a score.

Up next for Texas is the winner of the Rose Bowl between No. 1 Oregon and No. 8 Ohio State. That contest is slated to be played in the Cotton Bowl in Arlington, Texas on Jan. 10.

Cam Skattebo had 242 all-purpose yards, including 143 rushing, to go along with three total touchdowns for Arizona State (11-3).

After Skattebo rushed for a 3-yard touchdown on overtime’s opening possession, Ewers connected with Golden for a game-tying 28-yard touchdown pass on fourth and 13.

Trailing by 14 at halftime, Arizona State took its opening drive of the second half to Texas’ 2-yard line, where it was turned away on third and fourth downs, turning the ball over on downs for the third time.

Arizona State salvaged the opportunity on the ensuing play, as Shamari Simmons forced Quintrevion Wisner’s fumble in the end zone, where it was recovered by Ewers for a safety, cutting Texas’ lead to 17-5 with 6:51 left in the third quarter.

The Sun Devils cut into the deficit on their next possession with Carston Kieffer’s 36-yard field goal with 41 seconds remaining in the third.

Texas then found the end zone for the first time since the first quarter, as its 13-play, 76-yard drive was stamped with Ewers’ 5-yard touchdown rush with 10:17 left in the fourth quarter.

Arizona State pulled within one score on its next drive, as Skattebo’s 42-yard touchdown pass to Malik McClain was followed by Leavitt’s pass to Xavier Guillory on the two-point conversion with 6:31 left.

Ewers was then intercepted by Javan Robinson and Leavitt completed a 62-yard pass to Skattebo, setting up Skattebo’s 2-yard rushing touchdown and game-tying two-point conversion with five minutes remaining.

Texas kicker Bert Auburn then missed field goals on consecutive Texas drives, including a 38-yarder as time expired.

Arizona State took a 3-0 lead on Kieffer’s 39-yard field goal at the 8:59 mark of the first quarter. Ewers answered with a 23-yard touchdown pass to DeAndre Moore Jr.45 seconds later.

Texas tacked on with Silas Bolden’s 75-yard punt return touchdown, extending the Longhorns’ lead to 14-3 with 7:08 remaining.

Texas added three points on Auburn’s 22-yard field goal with 8:54 left in the second quarter. Kieffer’s 36-yard field goal was blocked with 11 seconds left, preserving Texas’ 17-3 halftime lead.

–Jack Batten, Field Level Media

You may also like

baker mayfield
Jan 4, 2025 2:34 am

Top 10 Player Props For NFL Week 18

With most NFL playoff teams sitting key personnel, Week 18 may not be a great week for putting money down on the traditional betting line. However, with many players looking…

Minnesota, Virginia Tech
Jan 3, 2025 11:08 pm

Minnesota’s defense dominates Virginia Tech in Mayo Bowl

Darius Taylor rushed for 113 yards and one touchdown and threw for another score as Minnesota pulled away for a 24-10 victory over Virginia Tech in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl…

Mike Norvell
Jan 3, 2025 9:32 pm

Florida State adds LB Caleb LaVallee, DL Deamontae Diggs

Florida State landed a pair of defensive players from the transfer portal on Friday, getting commitments from former North Carolina linebacker Caleb LaVallee and former Coastal Carolina and Youngstown State…

More Football News

baker mayfield
Jan 4, 2025 2:34 am

Top 10 Player Props For NFL Week 18

With most NFL playoff teams sitting key personnel, Week 18 may not be a great week for putting money down on the traditional betting line. However, with many players looking…

Minnesota, Virginia Tech
Jan 3, 2025 11:08 pm

Minnesota’s defense dominates Virginia Tech in Mayo Bowl

Mike Norvell
Jan 3, 2025 9:32 pm

Florida State adds LB Caleb LaVallee, DL Deamontae Diggs

texas state
Jan 3, 2025 8:23 pm

Texas State outlasts North Texas for 2nd straight bowl win

Alex Anzalone
Jan 3, 2025 6:28 pm

Lions LB Alex Anzalone (arm) could be activated for Vikings’ showdown

Read all
fb-post
advertisment
title-icon

Upcoming events

See all odds