Texas vs. Arizona State: Longhorns defeat Sun Devils 39-31 in 2OT

AUSTIN - The Texas Longhorns defeated the Arizona State Sun Devils in a nail-biter on Wednesday afternoon to move to the semifinals of the College Football Playoff.

Arizona State came from behind to tie the game in overtime and had Texas against the ropes in the first overtime. 

A 4th-and-13 touchdown from Quinn Ewers to Matthew Golden gave the Longhorns new life and a quick strike in the second overtime led to a Texas victory.

The winner of Texas-Arizona State advances to play the winner of the game between No. 1 Oregon and No. 8 Ohio State.

That game will be played on January 10 in Arlington, Texas at AT&T Stadium.

Live Updates

2nd Overtime

Texas scored on the first play of the 2nd overtime on a Quinn Ewers pass to tight end Gunnar Helm. Texas then converted a two-point conversion to put huge pressure on the Sun Devils.

The Texas defense stood strong in the second overtime, picking off Leavitt to end the game.

Overtime

In the first possession of overtime, a long scramble from quarterback Sam Leavitt set up a short touchdown run for Cam Skattebo to power his way into the endzone.

The Longhorn offense sputtered in OT at first, but Quinn Ewers threw a 28-yard touchdown to Matthew Golden to extend the game. 

Fourth Quarter

The Texas offense found the endzone for the first time since the opening quarter on a Quinn Ewers scramble. The Longhorns lead 24-8.

Arizona State's offense struck with a bit of trickery. Running back Cam Skattebo threw a 42-yard touchdown and added a two-point conversion to cut the lead to 8.

A deep shot from Ewers was picked off with 5:37 left in fourth giving the Sun Devils life.

Skattebo hauled in a long catch and then pounded in a short touchdown and two-point conversion to tie the game at 24.

Kicker Bert Auburn missed a 48-yard attempt with 1:39 left in the fourth, but Texas got the ball back.

A 28-yard pass from Ewers to Ryan Wingo put the Longhorns into field goal range.

Auburn hit the left upright on a potential game-winning kick from 38 yards out as time expired in regulation. 

Third Quarter

The Sun Devils offense moved the ball well to start the second half, but another 4th down stop near the goal line kept Arizona State off the board.

One the next play, Texas running back Quintrevion Wisner fumbled in the end zone, leading to a safety.

The Sun Devils drive the ball down the field for a field goal to cut the lead to 17-8 late in the third.

Second Quarter

The second quarter started with a big fourth down stand for the Texas defense. Bruising running back Cam Skattebo was stuffed deep in Texas territory to give the Longhorns the ball back.

Texas marched down the field and kicked a short field goal to take a 17-3 lead.

Arizona State's fake punt extended a drive at the end of the half that ended in a blocked field goal.

First Quarter

Arizona State was on the board first after an early field goal, but Quinn Ewers and the Longhorns offense struck back quickly.

Ewers threw a 23-yeard touchdown pass to DeAndre Moore Jr. to cap off a two-play, 77-yard drive and put the Longhorns up 7-3.

After a stop on defense, Texas return man Silas Bolden took a punt 75 yards for a touchdown.

Overall, the Longhorns defense looked very stout and the offense looked explosive in the first.

Pregame

Some bad news for the Longhorns ahead of kickoff.

Texas RT Cameron Williams is unlikely to play today due to a knee sprain, according to sources.

Redshirt freshman Trevor Goosby is expected to start in his place.

Texas vs Arizona State: How to watch, stream

• No. 5 Texas vs No. 4 Arizona State
• Where: Mercedes-Benz Stadium - Atlanta, Georgia
• Date: Wednesday, January 1
• Time: 12 PM (CT)
• TV: ESPN

Key Matchup

Arizona State RB Cam Skattebo vs. Texas' defensive front. Skattebo put together a dynamic season, finishing fifth in the Heisman Trophy balloting while becoming one of the rare players in FBS history to total 2,000 yards from scrimmage. He has rushed for 1,568 yards, averaging 6.0 yards per carry while scoring 19 touchdowns on the ground. But the Longhorns figure to present a much tougher challenge than Skattebo faced in the Big 12. Texas ranks 11th nationally in rushing defense, allowing just 104.5 yards per game.

Players to Watch

Texas: CB Jahdae Barron. The Jim Thorpe Award winner as the nation's top defensive back, the senior leads the Longhorns with five interceptions and 11 passes broken up. If Barron and the rest of Texas' stellar secondary can shut down Arizona State's passing game, the Sun Devils would be hard-pressed to move the ball effectively even with Skattebo leading the way.

Arizona State: QB Sam Leavitt boasted that he's the better quarterback in his matchup with Texas counterpart Quinn Ewers. Now, Leavitt has to back up his bravado. After transferring from Michigan State, the redshirt freshman played a key role in the Sun Devils' remarkable turnaround this season. He has completed 63.2% of his passes for 2,663 yards, with 24 touchdowns and just five interceptions. Leavitt is also a threat to run the ball, totaling 383 yards and five TDs.

Texas LonghornsSports