Texas Longhorns Come Out on Top Against Clemson in College Football Playoff
The Texas Longhorns seemed to put the disappointment of their SEC title game loss behind them as they defeated the 12th-seeded Clemson Tigers 38-24 in the first round of the College Football Playoff. The fifth-seeded Longhorns were led by Quinn Ewers, who threw for 202 yards and went 17-for-24 through the air. The Longhorns’ rushing attack was equally impressive, with Jaydon Blue and Quintrevion Wisner combining for 256 yards and four touchdowns on 29 carries.
The game was not without its challenges for the Longhorns, as Clemson’s Cade Klubnik threw for 336 yards and three touchdowns, completing 26 of his 43 passes. The Tigers fought back in the fourth quarter, scoring 14 unanswered points and cutting the deficit to seven points with 11:43 remaining in the game. However, the Longhorns’ defense was able to stiffen, and a 77-yard touchdown run by Blue put the game out of reach.
The win sends the Longhorns to the Peach Bowl, where they will face Arizona State, which earned a first-round bye by winning the Big 12. The Longhorns’ victory marks the third win for home teams in the first three games of the new 12-team College Football Playoff format, and each winning team has covered the spread.