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ATLANTA — In a thrilling showdown in the College Football Playoff, the Texas Longhorns narrowly escaped elimination against the Arizona State Sun Devils thanks to a game-saving play by quarterback Quinn Ewers, who connected with wide receiver Matthew Golden for a critical touchdown. This remarkable sequence came just as Arizona State seemed poised to seize victory.
With the pressure mounting, safety Andrew Mukuba sealed the deal by intercepting a pass from Sam Leavitt, finalizing Texas’s 39-31 triumph after the Longhorns had allowed a 16-point lead to vanish in the fourth quarter. The victory propelled Texas forward in the national championship race, and if they go on to win it all, this game will leave an indelible mark in their season records.
“When our backs are against the wall, the best in our team always rises to the occasion,” said Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian. “The resilience displayed today is something that makes me incredibly proud as a coach.”
Arizona State took their first lead of the game when Cam Skattebo scored on a 3-yard run, igniting the overtime thriller. Despite being labeled as two-touchdown underdogs before the game, the Sun Devils almost pulled off an upset before Ewers delivered an impressive 28-yard touchdown pass to Golden, ensuring the game continued to a second overtime.
“Our team’s maturity and ability to seize opportunities speaks volumes,” remarked Ewers, following the nail-biting finish. After shifting across the field, he quickly added another 25-yard touchdown throw to Gunnar Helm and followed that with a successful two-point conversion pass to Golden, regaining the momentum for his team.
The Longhorns (13-2) finally clinched their win against the Sun Devils (11-3) when Mukuba intercepted Leavitt at the 3-yard line, ending the contentious battle. Skattebo, a standout player, expressed pride in his team’s effort, stating, “We gave everything we had and never gave up.”
Contrary to initial expectations based on prior playoff games, this match delivered the exciting challenge that fans had anticipated. Now, Texas looks ahead to face No. 6 Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl semifinal, following the Buckeyes’ significant victory over No. 1 Oregon.
Despite what seemed like a solid 24-8 advantage for Texas—achieved through two early touchdowns and Ewers’s 5-yard scoring run—Arizona State was not prepared to relent. Skattebo showcased his athleticism by throwing a stunning 42-yard touchdown pass to Malik McClain on a fourth-and-2 play, then proceeded to catch a 62-yard pass from Leavitt, which proved crucial in setting up a two-yard touchdown run to level the score.
Texas made two attempts to win in regulation but came up empty when Bert Auburn missed both a 48-yard field goal and a 38-yarder as time expired.
As the game progressed, Texas maintained an unlikely 17-8 lead, despite Arizona State’s substantial advantage in total yards and possession time. The Sun Devils outgained Texas 510 to 375 yards by the game’s conclusion. Skattebo’s performance was impressive, racking up 143 rushing yards, eight receptions for 99 yards, and a critical passing touchdown—all while battling through a bout of nausea on the sidelines.
In terms of offensive accomplishments, Ewers completed 322 yards in the air, with Golden contributing significantly with seven catches for 149 yards. The Longhorns opened the game with a quick touchdown after only two plays; Ewers initiated the scoring with a 54-yard connection to Golden, followed by a 23-yard touchdown pass to DeAndre Moore Jr.
Arizona State, who initially advanced for a field goal, faced challenges converting opportunities, leading to missed chances that might have altered the game’s outcome. This competitive display has raised their profile significantly, providing a strong foundation for the coming seasons, under the guidance of coach Kenny Dillingham.
As the Longhorns gear up for their clash with Ohio State—the two powerhouse teams meet for the first time since the 2009 Fiesta Bowl—Arizona State is looking forward to building on their progress as they prepare for their season opener on August 30 against Northern Arizona.
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