Andrew Mukuba’s stunning game-winning interception ‘feels like a movie’ helping Longhorns win Peach Bowl
Mukuba credited Peach Bowl defensive MVP Jahdae Barron with rallying the troops in overtime
The Texas defense had been on the field so long in the Peach Bowl, the Longhorns were darn near worn out.
Arizona State’s Cam Skattebo had shaved the unit down to a nub with his bruising style. When overtime began, the Sun Devils could sense an upset brewing in the College Football Playoffs.
That’s when safety Andrew Mukuba yelled at cornerback Jahdae Barron to rally the troops.
“I told Jahdae, man, you the leader, bro. You the leader of this team,” Mukuba said. “Bring everybody together and pick the defense up. Man, because the energy was low.”
In double overtime, the Sun Devils reached the 10-yard line and were moving at a solid clip. Then on third-and-8, ASU quarterback Sam Leavitt looked left and threw a ball for Melquan Stovall.
Mukuba read the play, jumped the route and made the game-clinching interception that sealed a 39-31 win in the Peach Bowl.
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It felt like the perfect setup to a blowout victory. Texas was in total control in the Peach Bowl, and ESPN reported that Cam Skattebo was “vomiting profusely” on the Arizona State sideline. And somehow, Skattebo led the Sun Devils out of a 16-point hole. Texas’ Bert Auburn missed a potential go-ahead field goal late, […]
This was the moment the Austin LBJ product dreamed about when he transferred back home from Clemson. Mukuba’s fifth interception of the season was easily his biggest as a Longhorn and probably the biggest of his collegiate career. It was a stunning way to cap his eight-tackle performance.
“I mean, I’ve been saying this the whole year, man, this year feels like a movie for me,” Mukuba said. “You name the guys in the room, and it feel like this whole thing was scripted for me, coming home, playing my best ball, helping the team.
“You know what happened today? Just everything, everything in general, just feel like a movie. And I'm just thankful for the opportunities I'm getting, and just thankful overall.”
The Longhorns went into the game respectful of Skattebo’s skills were “as advertised,” Texas coach Steve Sarkisian said. “He got stronger, it felt like. You could see he was fatigued too.”
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Skattebo finished with 284 total yards and three touchdowns combined from running, receiving and throwing the ball. He was a huge reason the Sun Devils dominated time of possession (37:54) and went 10-for-24 on third down.
ASU knew Skattebo was getting in position to take down Texas, too. Maybe the Devils also sensed the Horns were worn down at the end.
“We were telling everybody whatever it takes, whatever it takes to get the job done,” Mukuba said. “Street fight mentality. Go out there and fight. You’re fighting, don’t stop, don’t quit. And obviously you see the results.”
Mukuba’s interception changed everything. Suddenly, the whole sideline was flying high. The Horns are soaring straight into the CFP semifinals.
Barron was named the game’s defensive MVP for his team-high 11 tackles. Safety Michael Taaffe had 10 tackles and two pass break-ups. Mukuba, Anthony Hill Jr. and Liona Lefau all had eight tackles each.
“We got the game-winning interception,” Mukuba said. “But it all started with Jahdae, getting those guys together, talking to those guys, lifting those guys up and telling them you got to pick this energy up. So it really started with him.”
