In a game already labeled an “all-time classic” that kept fans college football fans on the edge of their seats, Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers proved why he’s the starter of the Longhorns offense, producing a dramatic 39-31 overtime victory against Arizona State in the Peach Bowl. Ewers delivered two touchdown passes and a successful two-point conversion in overtime despite criticism for a costly fourth-quarter turnover that re-ignited Arch Manning talks.
The first strike in overtime came on a perfectly placed 28-yard pass to Matthew Golden, tying the game at 31-31 and silencing a rowdy Arizona State crowd. On the very next play, he delivered a laser-accurate 25-yard touchdown pass to Gunnar Helm, who finished the game with three catches for 56 yards and the go-ahead score.
To seal the victory, Ewers connected again with Golden for a two-point conversion. The Sun Devils had no chance to mount a comeback following an interception to Andrew Mukuba that ended the second overtime, and the Longhorns punched their way to the Cotton Bowl set for Jan. 10, where they will face the winner of the Rose Bowl matchup between Ohio State and Oregon.
Arizona St. head coach Kenny Dillingham said after the clash that during the game-defining moment, Ewers called for max protection at the line of scrimmage to counter a Cover 0 defense. Dillingham couldn’t counter the setup, allowing Ewers to locate Golden in the back of the end zone.
Ewers finished the game with 322 yards, completing 20 of 30 passes with three touchdowns and one interception. While his late-game heroics in overtime earned him praise from several football analysts, the fourth-quarter interception gave critics fuel for their fire.
The turnover happened after a pass from Ewers was intercepted by Arizona State’s Javan Robinson, sparking a late surge by the Sun Devils, who scored 16 points in the final quarter alone. The Sun Devils scored just eight total points in the first three quarters of the game.
Arizona State’s offense was driven by NFL prospect Cam Skattebo, who put up a monstrous performance with 143 rushing yards, two touchdowns on the ground, and a passing touchdown. He also had 99 receiving yards from eight catches.
Former NFL QB turned analyst Chase Daniel praised Ewers as the “difference maker” in the game for Texas. On X, he wrote, “Biggest play of the game was when he checked to C-0 Beater on the 4th and 13 TD pass.
“I checked to a post route and MAX protectionthen slid the offensive line in the right way. Threw a dart with the season on the line.” In a previous tweet, Daniel praised Ewers’ performance in real-time, calling it “clutch” as conversations still brew around the name of Arch Manning next season.
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