At long last, the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl had arrived. The Texas Longhorns took on the Arizona State Sun Devils in the College Football Playoff Quarterfinals. It was a thrilling game and hard-fought victory for the Texas Longhorns, winning in double OT. Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia was where Texas recently lost the SEC Championship and history would thankfully not repeat itself, as the Texas Longhorns emerged victorious, 39-13.
Texas Longhorns Win Peach Bowl
The Texas Longhorns, led by Quinn Ewers, relied more on their passing game this time. Running the ball was rarely utilized compared to their entire season and defense remained strong. Arizona State didn’t mount a significant challenge until a nail-biting fourth quarter comeback that forced OT.
1st Quarter
The Texas Longhorns took the lead early on against Arizona State and held on through a tight overtime fiasco. Arizona State drew first blood by capping off their opening drive with a field goal. At 3-0, it was the only time they would lead for the rest of regulation. Texas pulled quite the nasty 77-yard two-step in retaliation. Ewers found Matthew Golden for a clutch 54-yard reception. Immediately after, Texas Longhorns Wide Receiver DeAndre Moore Jr would record a 23-yard receiving TD.
This gave Ewers 26 straight games with a TD pass. It is the longest active streak in FBS and second longest in Longhorn history. By the end of the quarter, the Texas Longhorns had pulled ahead 14-3. Key Wide Receiver Silas Bolden struck gold with a 75-yard punt return touchdown. Arizona State would not score again in the first half.
2nd Quarter
The Texas Longhorns made significant, albeit slight progress, this quarter. Tre Wisner had a strong 23-yard carry, but a penalty brought it to 4th and 2 sending Kicker Auburn back off the field. Ewers zeroed in on Matthew Golden for a first down as the drive amounted to nothing.
Arizona State attempted to make traction here with Running Back Cam Skattebo and got much of the same. The Texas Longhorns secured a 25-yard FG to boost themselves up 17-3. ASU Quarterback Sam Leavitt was sacked multiple times, by Linebackers Tre Moore and Colin Simmons and a successful fake punt could not help Arizona State progress. Ethan Burke of the Texas Longhorns blocked a field goal attempt in the final seconds of the half.
3rd Quarter
This quarter saw Arizona State push to get something started. Ewers was sacked within the first minute of this half and then sacked again. After an unsportsmanlike conduct call on Arizona State, Quarterback Sam Leavitt rushed 28 yards. He was immediately taken down by Texas Longhorn Edge Tre Moore. Arizona State anchor Skattebo got the first down, but the Sun Devils could not capitalize.
For the third game in a row, the Texas Longhorns stopped a team on 4th and goal. Unfortunately, the celebrations were short-lived as they allowed their first safety of the season. Wisner fumbled the ball back into the hands of Ewers, allowing two points. Arizona State’s Skattebo recorded a 33-yard carry after breaking away from the Texas Longhorns’ defense. Several Texas Longhorns were checked for injury this quarter. Colin Simmons recorded a sack and Arizona State managed to finish off with a 36-yard FG.
4th Quarter
The fourth quarter began 17-8 and halfway through Arizona State came alive. The quarter began with some strong Texas plays. Golden caught a massive 29-yard pass. Blue pushed the Longhorns further down the field before two penalties were called. A facemask by the offense and pass interference by the defense offset each other. At 3rd and goal, Ewers ran the 5 yards himself for the touchdown.
At 24-8, things looked bleak for Arizona State. A few minutes in Malik McClain scored a 42-yard rushing touchdown. At 24-14, the Sun Devils went for 2 and scored. As the Texas Longhorns made their way down the field, Arizona State’s Javan Robinson intercepted a pass meant for Isaiah Bond. A few plays later, and in a matter of minutes, Arizona State erased a 16-point deficit. Texas Longhorns Kicker Bert Auburn missed a 48-yard FG attempt and away we went into OT.
First OT
Peach Bowl OT was a wild ride from start to finish. The Texas Longhorns sealed the deal in double overtime. Arizona State scored first in the initial overtime, with a 3-yard rushing TD making it 31-24. On 4th and 8, the Texas Longhorns needed to convert. Flags came down after the snap, a false start on Texas. On 4th and 13, Ewers fired off a rocket to his favorite target. Golden caught and scored the 38-yard TD. Auburn’s extra point kick was good, and the game was tied at 31-31.
Second OT
Second overtime’s rules vary slightly, in that teams who score a touchdown must go for the two-point conversion. This requirement was met by Golden after Tight End Gunnar Helm scored. Helm scored the 25-yard rec TD on the first play of the second OT. When the dust had settled, the Texas Longhorns were on top, 39-31. Arizona State’s hopes were fully destroyed by Defensive Back Andrew Mukuba, Sr. on third and 8, he intercepted Sam Leavitt and it was all over for Arizona State.
Final Thoughts
The Peach Bowl hosted a thrilling display of college football on New Year’s Day. The Texas Longhorns – bolstered by Golden, Mukuba, and several key freshmen players – advanced to the semifinals. Their concrete defensive wall was on full display until the final quarter. They nearly gave up their early lead but managed to hang on through overtime. It was a thrilling comeback of sorts for the Texas Longhorns. Their previous loss to Georgia at the same stadium stings just a little less now.
