Quinn Ewers delivered biggest throws of his Longhorns’ career in double-overtime Peach Bowl stunner over Sun Devils
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, […]
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, got back in position to win it and doinked the game-winner off the left upright.
Hold on tight. Buckle up for overtime.
In one of the wildest and consequential postseason games in Texas history, Quinn Ewers saved the day with three huge throws and Andrew Mukuba made a game-clinching interception to seal a 39-31 double-overtime victory in the Peach Bowl.
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It wasn’t pretty. It should have never come down to the close finish. But so what? It’s all survive-and-advance in the College Football Playoffs. Texas (13-2) is moving on to the Cotton Bowl and will face the Oregon-Ohio State winner in the CFP semifinals.
The Horns went into Mercedes-Benz Stadium as double-digit favorites. Judging from the first quarter, it was destined for a burnt-orange blowout. Texas had a 14-3 lead in a blink thanks to a 23-yard touchdown catch by DeAndre Moore Jr. and a sizzling 75-yard punt return by Silas Bolden.
But Arizona State (11-3) simply never gave up, even when they got down 24-8 after Ewers’ five-yard touchdown run with 10:17 left in the fourth.
"I threw up. I drank too much water too fast," Skattebo said of his sideline sickness. "I was feeling kind of sloshy. Felt better after."
Arizona State coach Kenny Dillingham said, "Puke and rally."
Skattebo stunned the defense by pulling up and firing downfield for a 42-yard touchdown catch. The Sun Devils got the ball back, and Skattebo scored again, this time running it in from two yards out.
Auburn couldn’t win it with a 38-yard field goal at the end of regulation. And the Sun Devils got an early leg up in overtime when Sam Leavitt raced for 16 yards on third-and-14 and Skattebo punched it in from three yards out.
Then, it was time for Ewers to deliver some of the biggest throws of his career.
Facing fourth-and-13, Ewers threw a ball up for Matthew Golden, who got behind the defense for a 28-yard touchdown to force a second overtime.
Then on UT’s first play of the next drive, Ewers stepped up and hit tight end Gunnar Helm for a 25-yard score. Forced to go for two, Ewers went to the back corner and found Golden again for the conversion.
Arizona State had third-and-8 from the Texas 10 on its ensuing possession. Leavitt looked to his left for Melquan Stovall, but Mukuba read the play all the way. Mukuba went up and snagged the interception and sealed the win.
Texas finished with 375 yards compared to Arizona State’s 510. And the Horns had just 53 rushing yards total. But Ewers was 20-for-30 and delivered when it mattered most.
The Horns are moving on in the College Football Playoffs.
