Amid national attention diverted by the New Orleans terrorist attack, the Texas Longhorns outlasted the Arizona State Sun Devils 39-31 in a dramatic double-overtime Peach Bowl on Wednesday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The victory propels Texas to the College Football Playoff semifinals, where they will face the winner of the Rose Bowl matchup between Oregon and Ohio State.
The game featured missed opportunities and thrilling moments. Texas kicker Bert Auburn had two chances to seal the game in regulation, but his field-goal attempts missed—one hitting the upright and the other drifting wide. In overtime, Arizona State’s Cam Skattebo showcased his resilience, rushing for a 3-yard touchdown and giving his team a 31-24 lead. However, Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers responded with a 28-yard touchdown pass to Matthew Golden on fourth-and-13 to force a second overtime.
Ewers struck quickly in the second overtime, connecting with Gunnar Helm on a 25-yard touchdown pass, followed by a two-point conversion to Golden for a 39-31 lead. The game ended when Texas safety Andrew Mukuba intercepted Arizona State quarterback Sam Leavitt at the 3-yard line.
Arizona State’s offense, led by Skattebo, who rushed for 143 yards, and Leavitt, who totaled 222 passing yards, amassed 510 yards against Texas’ top-tier defense but struggled to capitalize in key moments. Texas’ Ewers threw for 322 yards and three touchdowns, while Golden caught 10 passes for 149 yards.
The Longhorns’ special teams shone early, with Silas Bolden’s 77-yard punt return contributing to a 17-3 halftime lead. Arizona State fought back with Skattebo leading a late rally, including a 42-yard touchdown pass and a game-tying two-point conversion. However, the Sun Devils’ inability to convert crucial fourth downs and red-zone opportunities proved costly.
Texas now turns its focus to the Cotton Bowl, seeking a spot in the national championship game.
