In a College Football Playoff quarterfinal for the ages, the No. 4 Texas Longhorns survived a furious comeback from No. 10 Arizona State to claim a 39-31 double-overtime victory in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl. The dramatic contest in Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium ended with a clutch interception by Andrew Mukuba, sending Texas back to its home state for a semifinal showdown against No. 6 Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl.
With Texas on the brink of elimination, quarterback Quinn Ewers delivered a season-saving play. On fourth-and-13 in the first overtime, Ewers connected with receiver Matthew Golden for a 28-yard touchdown to force a second extra period. In double overtime, Ewers wasted no time, finding tight end Gunnar Helm for a 25-yard touchdown on the first play. The Longhorns extended their lead with a 2-point conversion pass to Golden.
The Texas defense sealed the victory when Mukuba intercepted Sam Leavitt’s pass at the 3-yard line, denying Arizona State’s final attempt to extend the game.
“This was about resilience,” Ewers said. “We knew Arizona State was a gritty team, but we stayed together and found a way to win.”
Arizona State’s star running back, Cam Skattebo, nearly carried his team to a monumental upset. He displayed his versatility with 143 rushing yards, eight receptions for 99 yards, and even a 42-yard touchdown pass to Malik McClain on a fourth-and-2 trick play.
Skattebo’s heroics helped Arizona State erase a 24-8 deficit in the fourth quarter. He hauled in a 62-yard pass from Leavitt, setting up a 2-yard touchdown and a 2-point conversion that tied the game with five minutes remaining.
“Cam showed the world what he’s capable of,” said Arizona State head coach Kenny Dillingham. “He’s the heart of this team.”
The Longhorns had chances to win the game in regulation but squandered them with two missed field goals by Bert Auburn. His 48-yard attempt sailed wide right, and a 38-yarder clanged off the left upright as time expired.
Despite these setbacks, Texas never wavered. “We’ve been in tough spots before,” said head coach Steve Sarkisian. “This team believes in each other, and that belief carried us through.”
Texas started fast, scoring on its first two offensive plays. Ewers hit Golden for a 54-yard gain, followed by a 23-yard touchdown pass to DeAndre Moore Jr. A 75-yard punt return by Silas Bolden gave the Longhorns a 14-3 lead after just two offensive snaps.
But Arizona State, a two-touchdown underdog, refused to go away. Even while being dominated in time of possession and total yards early, Texas struggled to put the Sun Devils away.
Arizona State outgained Texas 510 to 375 in total yards, with their defense stifling the Longhorns’ offense for long stretches.
Texas (13-2) advances to the Cotton Bowl, where they’ll face No. 6 Ohio State, fresh off a dominant 41-21 win over No. 1 Oregon in the Rose Bowl. The semifinal matchup will mark the fourth meeting between the two storied programs, with Texas holding a 2-1 series lead.
Arizona State (11-3) concludes a remarkable turnaround season under Dillingham, rebounding from a 3-9 record a year ago. The Sun Devils will open the 2025 season at home against Northern Arizona on August 30.
If Texas goes on to win the national championship, this Peach Bowl classic will be remembered as the moment that kept their dream alive. From Ewers’ clutch throws to Mukuba’s game-sealing interception, the Longhorns showed the heart of a champion in the face of adversity.
