Texas literally runs Clemson right out of the College Football Playoffs and advances to Peach Bowl
Even with two backup linemen, the Longhorns get huge performances from Wisner, Blue and notch CFP victory
Clemson coach Dabo Swinney’s face said it all. He was frustrated and disappointed. And this was at halftime Saturday against Texas.
“We gotta get in there and talk about it,” Swinney said. “We can’t stop ’em.”
A bunch of motivated Longhorns ran 148 yards and played penalty-free football in the first half, built up an 18-point lead and then literally ran the Tigers out of the College Football Playoffs with a 38-24 victory.
No. 5 seed Texas (12-2) advances to face No. 4 seed Arizona State (11-2) in the Peach Bowl at noon on New Year’s Day in Atlanta. It’s the first time these two teams have met since the 2007 Holiday Bowl.
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The Sun Devils have to stop a team that just ran all over the Tigers for 292 rushing yards, the fifth-highest rushing total in postseason history for the Horns.
Quintrevion Wisner had 110 yards and two touchdowns, scoring from 3 and 16 yards out. But Wisner got tangled up with offensive lineman Cam Williams on a busted screen play and had to leave the game. In came Jaydon Blue, who had fumble problems and fell out of favor for a while. But he busted loose for 146 yards and two touchdowns, including a sizzling 77-yarder.
UT coach Steve Sarkisian talked all week about needing a balanced attack. The Horns had 292 yards on the ground and 202 through the air as quarterback Quinn Ewers completed 17 of 24 passes.
“The first thing I want to give the credit to those guys up front. They’re the ones who pave the way for us,” Blue said. “This team has a lot of heart and we’re able to bounce back from adversity quick. It all stats with coach Sark and we follow his lead. We know we have a team full of champions.”
Ironically after Williams got hurt, center Jake Majors went down on the next play from scrimmage. Quarterback Quinn Ewers threw a ball that bounced in and out of DeAndre Moore’s hands and went for an interception. Clemson’s Tre Williams was flagged for an illegal blindside block on Majors, and the UT senior with 55 career starts had to leave the game.
Texas played the second half with Hayden Connor at center, Colt Hutson at guard and Trevor Goosby at right tackle. It didn’t seem to matter as the Horns played complementary football on both sides of the line of scrimmage.
Texas’ defense allowed 412 yards, with 336 coming through the air. Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik shined in his return trip back to his hometown. It was the most passing yards UT had allowed all season.
But big Bill Norton stuffed the Tigers on fourth-and-1 in the fourth quarter. And Michael Taaffe blew up another fourth-and-6 play late to seal the win.
Anthony Hill Jr. had a team-high nine tackles as the Horns tallied up three sacks and eight pass break-ups.
It was a total all-around performance as the Horns notched their first win in the College Football Playoffs. But it’s merely the first of many, if Sarkisian has his way.
