Texas Longhorns Outlast Arizona State in Double OT Thriller at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/live/G8JL6ldee-Y?si=sMevMq7Gt_QXq6O6
Audio: https://www.feotbpod.org/episodes/season/2/
It took a few games to get the kind of matchup we were initially hopeful for in the new 12-team playoff format, but when it came, damn it, the game delivered! The first game of 2025 brought us an instant classic, set against the backdrop of a breaking news story out of New Orleans' Bourbon Street. Despite the off-field drama, the on-field action gave us an early candidate for Game of the Year. Both the Arizona State Sun Devils and Texas Longhorns knew that one more solid performance would put them just 60 minutes away from playing for a national championship.
A Slow Start Before Fireworks Begin
As we’ve seen in this playoff format, teams with byes often need time to shake off the rust. It took Boise State a quarter to get going against Penn State, and we saw a similar trend here in Atlanta. Arizona State’s opening drive showed some promise, but it fell short of the high-octane play they delivered late in the season. A 39-yard field goal gave ASU an early 3-0 lead.
Texas, however, came out firing. Quinn Ewers was surgical in the pocket, and behind his talented group of receivers, he wasted no time. Just two plays into their first drive, Ewers connected with DeAndre Moore for a 23-yard touchdown to take the lead. Texas’s defense followed suit, focusing on shutting down Cam Skattebo with eight men in the box, forcing ASU into a quick three-and-out. Then came the game's first turning point: Silas Bolden’s electrifying 75-yard punt return for a touchdown. Just like that, Texas ended the first quarter up 14-3.
Physical Defense Sets the Tone
Arizona State’s aggressive and physical defensive style began to show its teeth in the second quarter. They tightened up their gaps and pressured Ewers, limiting Texas to a lone 22-yard field goal by Bret Auburn after a methodical 13-play, 72-yard drive. The Longhorns entered halftime with a 17-3 lead and possession to start the second half.
ASU’s Grit Sparks a Comeback
With a 14-point deficit staring them in the face, the Sun Devils began to chip away at Texas’s lead. Midway through the third quarter, ASU’s defense forced a safety, cutting the score to 17-5. They added a 36-yard field goal before the quarter ended, narrowing the gap to 17-8 as the fourth quarter loomed.
Ewers appeared to ice the game early in the fourth quarter with a 5-yard rushing touchdown, extending the lead to 24-8 with just over 10 minutes left. But Arizona State wasn’t done. Cam Skattebo added to his legend with a perfectly executed 42-yard touchdown halfback pass to Malik McClain. The Sun Devils converted the two-point attempt, closing the gap to 24-16. ASU’s defense then intercepted Ewers on a deep shot, but their offense failed to capitalize. Moments later, Skattebo found the end zone again with a 5-yard rushing touchdown and ran in the two-point conversion himself to tie the game at 24.
Double Overtime Drama
The back-and-forth battle continued into double overtime. Texas’s offense remained relentless, scoring on back-to-back plays—first to force the second overtime and then to take the lead on the first snap of the next period. ASU quarterback Sam Leavitt did his best to rally the Sun Devils, but the team’s passing game faltered throughout the day. A game-sealing interception by Texas ended the thriller, sending the Longhorns to the semifinals.
Now, Texas awaits the winner of the Rose Bowl rematch between Oregon and Ohio State.
Game-Changing Performances
This kind of game cements legacies. Quinn Ewers silenced critics by throwing for 322 yards and three touchdowns, showing poise under pressure. On the other side, Cam Skattebo had a monster performance with 143 rushing yards, two touchdowns, 42 passing yards, a passing touchdown, and eight catches for 99 yards. Despite ASU’s valiant effort, the punt return touchdown in the first quarter proved to be the dagger they couldn’t fully recover from.
With this win, Texas takes a step closer to their ultimate goal: a national championship. Stay tuned as we cover their next challenge on The Far End of the Bench Podcast!
