Texas Survives Arizona State in Double-OT Thriller at Peach Bowl

1 Jan at 6:49 pm

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Texas Survives Arizona State in Double-OT Thriller at Peach Bowl \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ In a double-overtime classic at the Peach Bowl, No. 4 Texas outlasted No. 10 Arizona State 39-31 to advance to the College Football Playoff semifinal. The Longhorns overcame a stunning comeback by Cam Skattebo and the Sun Devils, capped by Quinn Ewers’ late-game heroics and Andrew Mukuba’s game-sealing interception.

Texas vs. Arizona State: Peach Bowl Thriller – Quick Looks

Game of the Year: Texas defeated Arizona State in a 39-31 double-overtime Peach Bowl classic.
Key Plays: Ewers hit Golden for a fourth-and-13 touchdown in OT; Mukuba sealed the win with an interception.
Standout Performers: Ewers threw for 322 yards; Skattebo totaled 242 yards and three touchdowns.
Stat Leaders: Arizona State outgained Texas 510-375 yards but fell short in execution.
What’s Next: Texas heads to the Cotton Bowl semifinal against Oregon or Ohio State.

Deep Look

In a College Football Playoff (CFP) quarterfinal thriller at the Peach Bowl, the Texas Longhorns narrowly escaped an upset, defeating the Arizona State Sun Devils 39-31 in double overtime. The game, packed with drama and standout performances, underscored the unpredictable nature of the expanded 12-team playoff format and highlighted both teams’ resilience and determination.

A Game for the Ages

The clash at Mercedes-Benz Stadium had all the ingredients of a classic. Texas, the No. 4 seed, entered as a two-touchdown favorite, but No. 10 Arizona State proved more than capable of standing toe-to-toe with the storied program.

From a dramatic 16-point fourth-quarter comeback by Arizona State to clutch plays by Texas in overtime, the game showcased the unpredictable magic of college football.

First Half: Texas Takes Control Early

The Longhorns seized momentum almost immediately.

Opening Dominance: Texas took just two offensive plays to claim a 14-3 lead. Quinn Ewers connected with Matthew Golden for a 54-yard pass before finding DeAndre Moore Jr. for a 23-yard touchdown.
Special Teams Spark: Silas Bolden’s 75-yard punt return extended the lead, underscoring Texas’ early efficiency.
Defensive Stops: Arizona State struggled to capitalize on its opportunities, going three-and-out on its second possession and having a 36-yard field goal attempt blocked just before halftime.

Despite holding a 17-8 lead at the end of the third quarter, Texas was outgained 303-128 in total yards and held the ball for just 11 minutes compared to Arizona State’s 33.

The Skattebo Show: Arizona State’s Heroic Comeback

Arizona State running back Cam Skattebo put on a performance for the ages, almost single-handedly willing his team back into contention.

Fourth-Quarter Fireworks:
- Skattebo took a pitch on fourth-and-2 and delivered a 42-yard touchdown pass to Malik McClain, keeping the Sun Devils’ hopes alive.
- Later, he hauled in a 62-yard pass from Sam Leavitt, shedding defenders and losing his helmet in the process.
- Skattebo capped the comeback with a 2-yard touchdown run and a bruising two-point conversion to tie the game at 24 with five minutes remaining.

Despite vomiting on the sideline before the fourth quarter, Skattebo’s grit was undeniable. He finished with 143 rushing yards, 99 receiving yards on eight catches, and the unforgettable touchdown pass.

Missed Opportunities in Regulation

Both teams had chances to secure the win before overtime:

Texas’ Kicking Woes: Bert Auburn missed a 48-yard field goal wide right and hit the left upright on a 38-yarder as time expired.
Arizona State’s Fourth-Down Struggles: The Sun Devils were stopped three times on fourth down in Texas territory, squandering critical scoring chances.

These missed opportunities set the stage for a heart-pounding overtime.

Overtime: Texas Prevails

The game’s final chapter was defined by Texas’ resilience and Arizona State’s heartbreak.

First Overtime:
- Arizona State opened with a 3-yard touchdown run by Skattebo, giving the Sun Devils their first lead of the game.
- Facing a fourth-and-13, Ewers found Golden for a 28-yard touchdown, sending the game into a second overtime.
Second Overtime:
- Ewers connected with Gunnar Helms on a 25-yard touchdown pass before hitting Golden for a two-point conversion.
- Andrew Mukuba sealed the victory with an interception of Leavitt’s pass, ending Arizona State’s Cinderella run.

Key Players and Performances

Texas Longhorns:
- Quinn Ewers: The quarterback threw for 322 yards and three touchdowns, including two in overtime.
- Matthew Golden: Golden had seven receptions for 149 yards and two touchdowns, delivering in the game’s most crucial moments.
- Andrew Mukuba: His game-ending interception ensured Texas survived the upset scare.
Arizona State Sun Devils:
- Cam Skattebo: Delivered an all-time performance with 242 total yards and three touchdowns.
- Sam Leavitt: Showed poise but was ultimately outdueled by Ewers in the high-stakes moments.

Broader Implications

This game highlighted the potential of the expanded 12-team CFP format to deliver thrilling matchups:

Texas’ Resilience: Despite being outgained 510-375 in total yards, the Longhorns capitalized on clutch moments, showcasing their ability to fight through adversity.
Arizona State’s Rise: The Sun Devils, who went 3-9 last season, proved they belong on the national stage. Coach Kenny Dillingham’s program has emerged as a legitimate contender, earning respect despite the loss.

Postgame Reactions

Texas Coach Steve Sarkisian: Praised his team’s resilience while acknowledging areas for improvement:
“When adversity strikes, we always respond. But if we want to win a national championship, we have to clean up a lot.”
Arizona State Coach Kenny Dillingham: Expressed pride in his team’s effort:
“We came here to prove we belong, and I think we did that. But we left too many plays on the field.”

Looking Ahead

Texas Longhorns: The Longhorns will face either No. 1 Oregon or No. 6 Ohio State in a Cotton Bowl semifinal in Arlington, Texas. Sarkisian emphasized the need for his team to execute more consistently against elite competition.
Arizona State Sun Devils: The Sun Devils’ remarkable turnaround positions them as a team to watch in 2025. They will open the season against Northern Arizona on August 30.

Takeaways

Texas: The Longhorns showed heart and grit, but they’ll need to address defensive lapses and offensive inconsistency to compete for a national title.
Arizona State: Despite the loss, the Sun Devils’ performance will elevate their national profile and provide momentum for future seasons.