AUSTIN, Texas – The College Football Playoff first round matchup between Texas (12-2) and Clemson (10-4) was a unique matchup on several fronts.

When the Longhorns knocked the ACC champion Tigers out of the CFP round with a 38-24 win at Darrell K. Royal Texas Memorial Stadium, it marked the first meeting between the two programs in history.

The circumstances surrounding the game also contributed to college football history books.

Texas entered the first CFP game ever played on the Longhorns’ home court as a double-digit favorite as the league introduced its new 12-team CFP format.

“DKR is very special,” said Texas senior offensive lineman Hayden Conner. “We would have liked to say goodbye, but getting another home game is something to be grateful for.”

But when it came time for kickoff, all storylines lost relevance and the Clemson Tigers no longer looked like the underdogs they were thought to be in their home opener.

Trailing by one point at the start, Texas responded with a balanced attack and a confident offense for three unanswered touchdowns.

“They’ve proven to me time and time again that we respond, and that’s why I said a few weeks ago, I have no hesitation that we’re not going to respond,” Texas football head coach Steve Sarkisian said. “When we get knocked down, we get back up. I’m proud of her for that tonight.”

Texas finished the 2024 regular season with an average-at-best red zone track record. The Longhorns averaged 4.42 points per trip into the red zone this season, an area that needed improvement in the postseason.

On Saturday, converting in the red zone wasn’t a problem. Largely due to the explosive rushing attack that Texas boasted. The Longhorns carried the ball for 292 yards, fueled by good play from Jaydon Blue.

“One of the first things I mentioned in this room was ‘Run to win,'” Sarkisian said. “We had to dominate the football to win this game and we have to dominate the football to advance in these playoffs. That’s what playoff football is all about.”

Blue finished the game with 146 yards on the ground on 14 carries and Quintrevion Wisner added 110 yards rushing on 15 attempts.

“I thought Quinn (Ewers) did a great job. On both of Jaydon Blue’s touchdowns, Quinn could hear it,” Sarkisian said. “A lot goes into the running game. We always say the running game needs all 11 players, and all 11 did it tonight.”

The Longhorns’ passing game was also effective. Ewers was 17 of 24 for 202 yards through the air, including a touchdown and an interception. Senior tight end Gunnar Helm scored the most, rushing for 77 yards on six receptions and one touchdown catch.

Defensively, after the Tigers scored on their first drive, the Longhorns didn’t allow more than one first down on Clemson’s next four drives.

After building a 21-7 lead midway through the second quarter, the offense went as follows: Clemson interception, Texas turnover on downs, Clemson punt, Texas interception.

The Tigers saw a turnaround in their favor after the Longhorns failed to convert on fourth down inside the Clemson 20-yard line with 4:20 left in the first half.

However, Texas would pay off with a quick seven-play, 65-yard scoring drive to take a 28-10 lead at halftime.

“Cade (Klubnik) is a great quarterback. We all knew that. I knew that for sure,” said Texas senior defensive back Michael Taaffe, who played high school football with Klubnik. “What he can do with his legs, what he can do with his arm. It seemed like everyone was on the same page in their offense. It definitely made our job very difficult, but I’m so glad we had the opportunity to see that we can do better from this. Let’s see what we can do in the future to increase the good of our work and fix the bad.”

In the second half, Clemson managed to get back-to-back shots on goal and stay in the game until the end.

When Clemson fell behind by 14 points in the fourth quarter, Texas stymied two of Clemson’s attempts to defend the win.

The first fourth down attempt occurred at the Texas 1-yard line, where the Longhorns defense had an important goal line stand. On the second attempt, Taaffe hit a hard hit in the open field that ultimately secured the victory.

“I was so torn because I wanted to get back out there and try to make a play, but then again, when your offense gets 1st downs and they keep burning the clock, it’s like we’re the game would have won,” said Taaffe. “But then at the end of the day we got another chance.

It’s our job as a defense to maintain our standard and not let anyone get to our side…Someone had to make a play. I knew it was time to do a performance and I just did the performance that came to mind.”

Texas next faces Big 12 champion Arizona State in the Peach Bowl on New Year’s Day.

“I haven’t looked at the scouting report on Arizona State yet,” Taaffe said. “I can’t wait to do it. Obviously a big challenge. When you get a bye week and that type of platform, that type of college football platform, that’s obviously a testament to how good you are as a team. We will have a really good opponent and we will respect our opponent. We will prepare for the challenge.”