ATLANTA (AP) — In a thrilling College Football Playoff quarterfinal matchup, the Texas Longhorns narrowly defeated the Arizona State Sun Devils 39-31 in double overtime at the Peach Bowl, securing their spot in the College Football Playoff semifinals.

Despite dominating much of the game, the Longhorns found themselves in a fierce struggle as the Sun Devils mounted a comeback led by their star running back, Cam Skattebo. Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers threw for 322 yards and four touchdowns, showcasing his clutch performance, especially in the overtime, where he connected with Matthew Golden for a critical fourth-down touchdown pass.

The Longhorns jumped to an early lead, 14-0, but struggled with the ball-control offense of Arizona State, who dominated the time of possession for almost 38 minutes and amassed 510 total yards. As the game progressed, Arizona State capitalized on Texas' missed field goal attempts, leading to a dramatic fourth-quarter push where Skattebo completed a 42-yard touchdown pass, tying the game at 24-24.

With the game on the line, Ewers delivered brilliantly, securing the first overtime touchdown with a pass to Gunnar Helm. The Sun Devils jumped ahead first in overtime only for Texas to respond decisively. The final nail in the coffin for Arizona State came when defensive back Andrew Mukuba intercepted a pass from ASU quarterback Sam Leavitt to conclude the instant classic.

Skattebo's performance was remarkable, with a total of 143 rushing yards, 99 receiving yards, and 42 yards passing, earning him honors as the game's MVP. His resilience was evident as he played through physical challenges and showcased his multi-dimensional skill set, which has made him a recognized figure in college football.

Longhorns' head coach Steve Sarkisian praised his team's resilience: “The one thing that I know about our group is when our backs are against the wall, our best shows up time and time again.” Texas will now look ahead to their next challenge against the winner of the Rose Bowl showdown between Oregon and Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl on January 10.

For the Sun Devils, the heart-wrenching loss marks the end of a commendable season, having turned their program around after finishing last the previous year. Coach Kenny Dillingham stated, “That was a battle but we belonged on the football field," emphasizing the fight and spirit of his team.

This overtime classic will surely be remembered as one of the highlights of the 2025 College Football Playoff, showcasing the resilience and athletic prowess of both teams.

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