It seems that the Texas Longhorns took away the sour taste of an SEC title game loss.
The Longhorns dropped the conference championship two weeks ago, while their opponent 12-seeded Clemson was riding high after winning the ACC.
The fifth-seeded Longhorns came away with a 38-24 victory to advance past the first round of the College Football Playoff.
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Quinn Ewers of the Texas Longhorns pitches during the first quarter against the Clemson Tigers in a first-round playoff game at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on December 21, 2024 in Austin, Texas. (Jack Gorman/Getty Images)
It was the Tigers who struck first with a touchdown, but the Longhorns outscored them 31-3 heading into the fourth quarter. But Clemson did not go quietly.
The Tigers scored 14 unanswered points during a period where the defense stopped Texas on a fourth-and-2 from the Clemson 36. Suddenly it was a seven-point Texas lead with 11:43 to go.
But just as Clemson got back into the game, Jaydon Blue rushed for a 77-yard touchdown to put Texas back in front by two touchdowns.
Clemson drove down the field to continue its comeback attempt, but the Tigers were loaded on a fourth-and-goal from the 1.
The Tigers got the ball back with 1:43 to go, but couldn’t keep a drive alive, and the Longhorns ran out of clock.
Texas Longhorns defenseman Jahdae Barron (7) celebrates in action during a CFP first round game against the Clemson Tigers on December 21, 2024 at Darrell K Royal – Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas. (David Buono/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Quinn Ewers finished with 202 passing yards and went 17-for-24 through the air. Blue and Quintrevion Wisner combined for 256 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 29 carries.
Clemson’s Cade Klubnik threw for 336 yards and three touchdowns, completing 26 of his 43 passes. TJ Moore led all players with nine catches for 116 yards and a touchdown.
The Longhorns will now face Arizona State, which earned a first-round bye by winning the Big 12, on New Year’s Day in the Peach Bowl.
Home teams are 3-0 in the first three games of the new twelve-team format. Each winning team has the spread covered.
Texas Longhorns running back Quintrevion Wisner (26) celebrates his second touchdown of the game in the second quarter against the Clemson Tigers in the first round of the College Football Playoff at Darrell K Royal – Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas, December 21, 2024 . (Sara Diggins/American-Statesman/USA Today Network via Imagn Images)
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The final of the first round between Tennessee and Ohio State in Columbus starts Saturday at 8:00 PM ET.
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