Two missed kicks by the Longhorns pushed the game into overtime.
ATLANTA — The Texas Longhorns defeated the Arizona State Sun Devils 39-31 in overtime of the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl on New Year’s Day in Atlanta.
The Sun Devils opened up the College Football Playoff quarterfinal by grinding down the field in a 12-play, 63-yard drive that resulted in a 39-yard field goal by Carston Kieffer.
On the Longhorn’s ensuing possession, it took their offense just two plays to reach the endzone. Ewers connected with wide receiver Matthew Golden for 54 yards. On the following snap, Ewers lobbed it 23 yards to DeAndre Moore Jr. for an easy touchdown.
After failing to get a first down, the Sun Devils were forced to punt the ball away — and it didn’t go the way they planned.
Speedy returner Silas Bolden took the kick and after dodging a couple of Sun Devils, he dashed 75 yards to the endzone practically untouched, effectively putting the Longhorns up 14-3
To start the second quarter, Texas was able to get the ball back from ASU after stuffing running back Cam Skattebo on a 4th and 2 attempt. The Longhorns then put together a 12-play drive that ultimately stalled out and ended in a 22-yard Bert Auburn field goal, putting them up 17-3.
After a couple of empty possessions from both teams, Arizona State got the ball back with under four minutes to go in the second quarter. Backed up on their own 21-yard-line, the Sun Devils opted for a dangerous fake punt, which ended in their favor as big Blazen Lono-Wong took a pass from the punter 32 yards to keep the drive alive.
Unfortunately for the Sun Devils, this drive ended with no reward as Carston Kieffer’s 36-yard field goal attempt was blocked by the Longhorns.
Out of halftime, the Longhorns quickly went three and out, and punted the ball back to Arizona State. The Sun Devils marched down the field all the way down to the 2-yard-line but failed to punch it in after three consecutive inside run attempts, turning the ball over on downs.
The Longhorns took over possession just outside their own goal line and on the first snap, running back Quintrevion Wisner fumbled the ball, Ewers caught it and was tackled in the endzone for a safety.
After receiving the punt following the safety, the Sun Devils failed to capitalize on the extra possession and had to settle for a field goal, which got them within 9 points at 17-8. However, on their next drive, the Longhorns went on a long 76-yard drive that ended with an Ewers scramble for a touchdown.
The Sun Devils, anxious to get some offense going, opted for a trick play with Skattebo throwing the ball. The running back tossed the ball way downfield to Malik McClain for the 42-yard touchdown. A two-point conversion later, the Sun Devils got it to a one-score game at 24-16 with under seven minutes to go in the game.
On the Longhorn’s ensuing possession, Ewers threw a deep ball on 2nd and 4 that was picked off by ASU.
The Sun Devil’s quarterback Sam Leavitt went to their best playmaker, Skattebo, on the first play of the drive, connecting with him for a 62-yard completion that was littered with penalty flags as Texas defender Michael Taaffe committed pass interference and a facemask.
A few plays later, Skattebo pounced into the endzone and then once more for another two-point conversion to tie the game up at 24.
Ewers led the Longhorns on a 9-play drive to set up a 48-yard field goal attempt that Auburn pushed wide right.
The Sun Devils weren’t able to do much after taking over possession and punted the ball away back to Texas with under two minutes to play.
The Texas offense once again made it all the way down the field to get within Auburn’s range, but with two seconds left on the clock, Auburn’s kick went left and pinged off the uprights, effectively sending the game into overtime.
On the Sun Devils’ first possession in overtime, they found themselves backed up on 3rd and 14. However, this yardage was quickly erased by Leavitt as he scampered to the three-yard line. A handoff to none other than Skattebo got the Sun Devils their first lead since being up 3-0.
The Longhorns then got their shot and it didn’t start off well as they quickly found themselves in a 4th and 13. ASU sent an all-out blitz which left Matthew Golden wide-open down the field and the Longhorns tied it back up at 31.
Texas then got the ball again due to overtime rules and on the first play of the possession, Ewers found tight end Gunnar Helm open for a 25-yard touchdown. The Longhorns were able to convert the required two-point conversion attempt to go up 39-31.
The Sun Devils tried to answer back, but on third down, Leavitt threw a game-sealing interception.
Texas now moves on to the College Football Playoff semifinal.