Texas advances to play No. 4 seed and Big 12 champion Arizona State in the next round.
AUSTIN, Texas — The Texas Longhorns defeated the Clemson Tigers in the first round of the College Football Playoff 38-24 on Saturday.
The Tigers received the ball first and quarterback Cade Klubnik pieced together an impressive 12-play, 75-yard drive that ended with a 22-yard passing touchdown to Antonio Williams.
Texas was quick to answer back, putting together their own 75-yard drive that ended with a three-yard rushing TD from running back Quintrevion Wisner, knotting things up at 7-7.
A quick three-and-out from the Tigers gave Texas the ball back with decent field position. The Longhorns took just five plays to score their second TD of the game, this time behind the legs of Jaydon Blue as he rushed 38 yards to the endzone.
With under eight minutes to go in the first half, the Longhorns continued their big-play magic as QB Quinn Ewers connected with Matthew Golden 43 yards down the field. Three consecutive runs later, Wisner and the Horns found themselves in the endzone again, up 21-7.
The Tigers managed to stop the Longhorns on downs but were forced to punt after a quick three-and-out. However, a tipped pass by Ewers resulted in a Clemson interception, setting up a short field goal which the Tigers knocked through the uprights.
The Longhorns got the ball back with under 1:30 to go in the second quarter and were able to go on a seven-play, 62-yard drive that ended with a 19-yard touchdown to TE Gunnar Helm, putting the Horns up 28-10.
On Texas’ first drive out of the locker room, they managed to go 71 yards in 14 plays but ultimately settled for a Bert Auburn field goal after stalling out in the red zone.
A couple of possessions later, the Tigers forced a Texas punt and got the ball back with favorable field position. Klubnik connected with two different receivers for big plays including a 25-yard touchdown pass to Jarvis Green that cut the lead down to 31-17.
Clemson’s defense continued to stand tall, forcing another Texas turnover on downs, which turned into a methodical 10-play drive that ended in a wide-open touchdown pass to T.J. Moore.
On the Longhorns’ ensuing possession, Blue received the handoff from Ewers and sprinted 77 yards for a touchdown to extend their lead 38-24.
Clemson was able to get the ball all the way down to the 1-yard-line, however, an incredible goal-line stand by the Longhorns forced a turnover on downs and gave them possession back. The Tigers were then able to make a stop of their own, but a few plays later, they also turned it over on downs, effectively ending the game in favor of the Longhorns.
Next up, the Longhorns will take on the Arizona State Sun Devils in the College Football Playoff quarterfinal.