Texas 39-31 Arizona State (January 1, 2025) Game Recap

Texas 39-31 Arizona State (January 1, 2025) Game Recap

ATLANTA – Texas avoided the College Football Playoff’s first major upset by hitting a fourth-and-long touchdown pass to keep the game alive and beat Cam Skattebo and Arizona State 39-31 in double overtime, when Andrew Mukuba finally scored an interception capped a Peach Bowl quarterfinal classic on Wednesday.

Skattebo led the Sun Devils back from a 16-point deficit in the fourth quarter, putting his team ahead for the first time of the day with a 3-yard touchdown run to open the overtime against No. 4 Texas (13-2). Guide.

No. 10 Arizona State — a two-touchdown underdog according to Sportsbook — was on the verge of victory when Texas faced fourth-and-13 on its first possession of overtime. But Quinn Ewers found Matthew Golden, who broke free behind two defenders and scored a 28-yard touchdown.

After moving to the other end of Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Ewers threw a 25-yard touchdown pass to Gunnar Helms on the very next play, followed by a 2-point conversion pass to Golden.

The Longhorns ultimately defeated Arizona State 11-3 when Mukuba intercepted Sam Leavitt’s pass at the 3, ending the game.

“We know how to fight,” Texas defenseman Jahdae Barron said.

After a series of lopsided results in the first five games of the expanded 12-team playoff, the format finally produced a thriller for the ages that sends Texas home to a Cotton Bowl semifinal against No. 1 Oregon or No. 6 Ohio State. who competed in the Rose Bowl on Wednesday.

Despite dominating the stats for most of the game, the Longhorns had a seemingly comfortable 24-8 lead after scoring two early touchdowns and a 5-yard scoring run from Ewers with just over 10 minutes left.

But Skattebo and the Sun Devils were just warming up.

The running back, who calls himself the best in the country, backed up his mettle with a performance for the ages that showcased every facet of his all-around game.

First, he took a pitch on fourth-and-2 and threw a 42-yard touchdown pass to Malik McClain, giving the Sun Devils a chance when they made the 2-point conversion.

Skattebo then charged down the sideline and knocked a 62-yard throw down the field from Leavitt – with his helmet ripped off at the end of the play, which seemed to be the only way to bring him down.

That set up a 2-yard touchdown run off a defender’s bowled ball, and it was only fitting that Skattebo also provided the 2-point conversion that tied the game at 24 with five minutes left.

Texas had two chances to win in regulation, but Bert Auburn missed a 48-yard field goal attempt to the right and rattled one off the left upright from 38 yards out as time expired.

“I felt like I was watching March Madness,” Texas coach Steve Sarkisian said, “with all the fluctuations everywhere.”

After Arizona State scored a field goal on its first possession, Texas needed just two plays to take the lead.

Ewers connected with Golden on a 54-yard play and then passed to DeAndre Moore Jr. for a 23-yard scoring pass.

Both times, the Longhorns went for Montana Warren and started in place of Shamari Simmons. The Sun Devils star sat out the first half after being penalized for shooting in the Big 12 championship game.

Arizona State then scored a three-pointer and Silas Bolden returned the punt 75 yards for another Texas touchdown. With just two snaps, the Longhorns had a 14-3 lead.

But any thoughts of another CFP loss faded as Texas struggled to defeat the Sun Devils, one of the most surprising teams in the country after going 3-9 a year ago and going largely unnoticed until the end of this season.

In the final minute of the third quarter, Texas led 17-8, even though Arizona State had a commanding 303-128 yardage lead and had held the ball nearly three times longer than the Longhorns (32:49 to 11:30).

Arizona State finished the game with 510 yards rushing to the Longhorns’ 375.

Despite throwing up on the sideline before the start of the fourth quarter, Skattebo rushed for 143 yards, made eight catches for 99 more yards and, of course, had that one big completion.

It wasn’t quite enough.

Ewers threw for 322 yards, Golden caught seven balls for 149 yards.

“I have never questioned our resilience,” Sarkisian said. “When an accident occurs, we always react. And it struck a few times tonight.”

The takeaway food

Texas: It wasn’t pretty, but Sarkisian was right when he gave the Longhorns points for their resilience. This also gives the coaching staff plenty of teaching tools, as it’s hard to imagine Texas winning two more games – and a national championship – without significantly improving.

Arizona State: The Sun Devils will regret all the chances they missed heading into the fourth quarter. They were stopped three times in fourth place Texas. The Longhorns also blocked a 36-yard field goal attempt just before the end of the first half. But it was a performance that will raise ASU’s profile nationally and make coach Kenny Dillingham’s program feel like it belongs among the nation’s elite.

Next

Texas: The Longhorns get the chance to play a de facto home game with the Cotton Bowl semifinal on January 10th in Arlington, Texas.

Arizona State: Will look to build on its remarkable turnaround beginning with the 2025 season opener when it hosts Northern Arizona on Aug. 30.

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