In a dramatic showdown at the Peach Bowl, Texas narrowly escaped a major upset against Arizona State, clinching a 39-31 victory in double overtime. This thrilling quarterfinal match of the College Football Playoff was marked by intense plays and extraordinary resilience from both teams.
Amidst high stakes, Quinn Ewers delivered a crucial 28-yard touchdown pass to Matthew Golden on fourth-and-13, forcing a second overtime and keeping Texas’s season alive. Texas had initially squandered a 16-point lead due to missed field goals in regulation, but ultimately, Andrew Mukuba’s interception sealed their hard-fought victory.
Coach Steve Sarkisian praised his team’s resilience, stating, “The one thing that I know about our group is when our backs are against the wall and when our best is needed, our best shows up time and time again.”
Arizona State’s Cam Skattebo was instrumental in shifting the momentum with a 3-yard touchdown run in overtime, temporarily putting his team ahead of Texas. However, Ewers quickly responded with a 25-yard touchdown pass to Gunnar Helms, followed by a successful two-point conversion to Golden, bringing Texas back ahead.
Despite a dominating performance on the stats sheet for most of the game, Arizona State couldn’t maintain their lead. Arizona State’s challenge was highlighted by Skattebo’s impressive display, rushing for 143 yards and making critical receptions, though it wasn’t sufficient to overcome Texas.
Both teams showed tremendous competitive spirit. Even after Skattebo contributed a 42-yard touchdown pass to Malik McClain, and after hauling in a 62-yard pass from Sam Leavitt, Arizona State struggled to capitalize fully, allowing Texas to secure a victory.
In the final plays, Bert Auburn missed two critical field goal attempts for Texas in regulation. Yet, their perseverance paid off as Mukuba’s decisive interception ended Arizona State’s hopes in overtime.
Arizona State, the underdogs, managed to push Texas to the brink, showcasing their capability to contend with top-tier teams despite missing opportunities early on. Texas, on the other hand, showed moments of brilliance but will need to address inconsistencies moving forward.
This victory propels Texas into the Cotton Bowl semifinal, a chance to prove themselves against the nation’s best. Meanwhile, Arizona State’s performance, despite the loss, has certainly raised their profile in college football, marking them as a team to watch in upcoming seasons.
Source: Local10
