By Jay Berry
After a highly debated first round of the 12-team college football playoff, fans were eager to see how the second round would pan out.
The first game sparked discussions about seeding, and the second game continued the debate for three quarters. The Peach Bowl turned out to be an exciting game, even with a two-touchdown point spread.
The second round began with Penn State defeating Boise State 31–14. While the game wasn’t a complete blowout, it was clear throughout that Penn State was going to win. Boise State’s running back, Ashton Jeanty, averaged only 3.5 yards per carry. Fans are now questioning whether Boise State deserved a bye.
In the second game of the second round, Texas outlasted Arizona State in the Peach Bowl. This was a matchup between the Big 12 conference champion and the SEC runner-up and it ended up being an all time classic finish.
At halftime, Texas led 17–3 despite only having 21 offensive plays to Arizona State’s 47, The size and speed advantage of the Texas team were clearly visible in the first half.
Arizona State didn’t do themselves any favors before the game.
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Heading into the Peach Bowl, Arizona State, led by quarterback Sam Leavitt, was talking a lot of trash. When asked about Quinn Ewers, Leavitt said he will ” prove he’s the better quarterback than Ewers.”
Leavitt wasn’t the only star player from the Sun Devils running his mouth. Running back Cam Skattebo said during Monday’s media session, “There’s nobody out there that can stop me”
Skattebo finished the first half with 13 carries for 45 yards, while Leavitt was 15 of 27 for 99 yards. They trailed Texas 17–3.
Arizona State’s first-half highlight was a successfully executed fake punt on fourth and nine.
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Despite the score being 17-8 to start the 4th quarter, Texas still had control of the game. Texas quickly extended the lead to 24-8. The momentum shifted significantly when the Sun Devils made a crucial interception while trailing 24-16 late in the fourth quarter. Followed up by a 64-yard pass to Cam Skattebo.
With five minutes left in the 4th quarter, Arizona State scored, making the score 24-22. A defensive holding call on the two-point try gave the Sun Devils another opportunity to tie the game to make the score 24-24.
Cam Skattebo refused to be stopped as he charged into the end zone to tie the game. The 16-point fourth quarter deficit had disappeared! This was shaping up to be an epic finish! It was something college football fans needed after debating and mostly disagreeing about the first-round games.
With 1:03 left and one timeout remaining, the Sun Devils punted the ball to Texas.
This was setting up for a game-winning field goal attempt by Bert Auburn. He had missed a field goal earlier, so this would be a significant moment for the Texas Longhorns’ all-time leading kicker. The kick faded to the left, sending the game to overtime.
Skattebo scored to give Arizona State the lead in overtime. Then Quinn Ewers threw a 28-yard touchdown pass to Matthew Golden on 4th and 13 to tie the game. On the next Texas possession, Tight End Gunnar Helm caught a touchdown pass to start the second overtime. Texas converted the two-point conversion with a pass to Matthew Golden.
Texas defensive back Andrew Mukaba became the hero by making an interception in the second overtime to secure the victory. Texas wins 39-31. What a way to start the new year!
