AUSTIN – The No. 5 Texas Longhorns led the No. 12 Clemson Tigers 28-10 at halftime of the first College Football Playoff game Saturday in Austin.

In the first half, Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers completed 11 of 14 passes for 141 yards, a touchdown and an interception. Running back Quintrevion Wisner finished the first half with 10 carries for 80 yards and a touchdown, while Jaydon Blue had seven carries for 56 yards and a score.

Texas tight end Gunnar Helm had three catches for 38 yards and a touchdown in the first half.

Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik finished the 12th half completing 19 passes for 117 yards, a touchdown and a pick.

The Tigers made it clear from the opening kickoff that they were unfazed by the moment, especially Klubnik. In front of his hometown crowd, he led a 12-play, 75-yard opening drive that ended with a 22-yard catch-and-run touchdown by receiver Antonio Williams. Clemson took a 7-0 lead.

To respond, Ewers completed his first three passes for 32 yards before being sacked for a 10-yard loss after Texas reached the Clemson 38-yard line.

Two plays after Ewers’ sacking, the Longhorns faced 3rd-and-10. Instead of passing, Sarkisian had Wisner run right and he gained 22 yards for the first down. However, the Clemson defense held strong and forced a 4th-and-1 at its own seven-yard line, but Texas stuck with the running game. Jerrick Gibson converted on fourth-and-short before Wisner pushed through for a three-yard score on the next play.

On Clemson’s second drive, Klubnik was sacked by Barryn Sorrell on first down. The Tigers reached 4th-and-1 from their own 34 but elected to punt.

Texas capitulated with the quick three-pointer. With six straight plays, the Longhorns easily got into the end zone on their second drive, highlighted by Blue’s 38-yard touchdown. Texas took a 14-7 lead after an early deficit.

The Tigers seemed to have a quick reaction themselves. Receiver Adam Randall broke loose for a 41-yard rush on the first play of the drive before scoring four more one play later. However, the drive stalled after Texas edge rusher Ethan Burke sacked Klubnik, his former high school teammate at Westlake, which knocked Clemson out of field goal range. The Tigers punted.

Texas didn’t slow down. Ewers connected with Matthew Golden for a tough 43-yard catch, setting up Wisner for a 16-yard touchdown run, his second of the half. The Longhorns had scored 21 unanswered points after falling behind 7-0 early.

The Longhorns then secured an interception after Colin Simmons intercepted the tipped pass, but Texas turned it over in the red zone on downs a few plays later. The Tigers punted again, but quickly fended off Ewers after a tip pass. The momentum had turned for Clemson, but the Tigers only managed a takeaway field goal.

The Texas offense scored again just before halftime when Ewers found Gunnar Helm for a 19-yard touchdown.

The Longhorns get the kickoff for the second half.

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