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Texas holds on to defeat Arizona State in a thrilling double-overtime Peach Bowl showdown, with coach Steve Sarkisian remarking, “Our fight was pretty incredible.” Leading up to the game, Arizona State players, including quarterback Sam Leavitt and running back Cam Skattebo, expressed confidence in their abilities, with Leavitt aiming to outshine Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers.
Throughout the contest, Leavitt and Skattebo showcased their skills, contributing to a fierce matchup. However, Texas emerged victorious with a nail-biting 39-31 win, advancing to the College Football Playoff semifinals against Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl on January 10.
Despite the victory, Texas faced challenges in their rushing game against the Sun Devils, managing only 53 yards—one of their lowest totals this season. Ewers demonstrated flashes of brilliance with impressive throws but also made some questionable decisions that raised eyebrows.
The Longhorns have struggled to finish games this season, and this matchup was no exception. They relinquished a 24-8 lead with just over ten minutes left in the game, allowing Arizona State to score 16 unanswered points and push the game into overtime. Texas had a chance to secure a win in regulation, but Bert Auburn’s 38-yard field goal attempt clanged off the left upright as time expired.
In overtime, Arizona State struck first with a 16-yard scramble by Leavitt, followed by a powerful touchdown run from Skattebo. Ewers responded with a 28-yard touchdown pass to receiver Matthew Golden, regaining the lead for Texas. The Longhorns extended their advantage on the following possession, but Arizona State’s hopes were dashed when Leavitt’s pass was intercepted by Andrew Mukuba, sealing the game for Texas.
“What a swing of emotions throughout this entire game,” Sarkisian reflected after the final whistle. “One thing that’s been true about our team all year has been resiliency. We continue to fight back, regardless of what odds we’re up against. Some great plays there in overtime.” He acknowledged the need for improvement but praised his team’s determination.
Here are several takeaways from Texas’ hard-fought victory over Arizona State:
Early difference
After Arizona State kicked off the game with a 12-play drive resulting in a field goal, Texas quickly showcased their offensive explosiveness. Ewers connected with Golden for a 54-yard gain and followed up with a 23-yard touchdown pass to DeAndre Moore, taking a swift 7-3 lead. The Longhorns’ defense then forced a three-and-out, and Silas Bolden electrified the crowd with a 75-yard punt return for a touchdown.
Texas scored 14 points in just 66 seconds on two offensive plays, catching the Sun Devils off guard. Frustration mounted for Leavitt as he visibly reacted to his teammates’ performance, with television cameras capturing heated exchanges on the sidelines.
However, the momentum shifted after halftime as Arizona State regained composure. Despite facing challenges in scoring against Texas’ top-ranked defense, the Sun Devils orchestrated a fake punt and leaned on Skattebo’s heroics to force overtime.
Plays of the game
Skattebo emerged as a crucial player for Arizona State, providing a spark in the fourth quarter. After Texas extended their lead to 24-8, Skattebo executed a remarkable play on fourth-and-2, throwing a 42-yard touchdown pass to Malik McClain, followed by a successful two-point conversion.
Ewers was intercepted on the subsequent drive, and Leavitt connected with Skattebo for a 62-yard gain, setting up another touchdown run from Skattebo and a game-tying two-point conversion.
Key stat
Skattebo’s effectiveness was evident as he accounted for 284 total yards, representing 75% of Texas’ total offensive output of 375 yards in the game. Despite the loss, Skattebo’s assertion that “there’s nobody who can stop me” rang true, as he played a significant role in keeping Arizona State competitive, even battling exhaustion on the sidelines.
His remarkable performance underscored his importance to the team, and without his contributions, Arizona State would not have had a chance in this contest.
What’s next for Texas?
The Longhorns are set to face Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl on January 10, following the Buckeyes’ 41-21 victory over Oregon in the Rose Bowl.
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