AUSTIN, Texas — The Texas Longhorns are one step closer to a national championship, after beating Clemson 38-24 at DKR Texas Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
Saturday’s game was the first ever matchup between the two programs and featured a number of unique storylines, including former Westlake and current Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik returning to Austin for the first time since winning the 2021 6A State Championship with the Chaps, a rematch between Longhorns quarterback Quinn Ewers and Klubnik after the two faced off in that 2021 state championship game and current Longhorn safety Andrew Mukuba facing his former team.
The Longhorns entered Saturday’s matchup as the largest favorite of any team competing in the first round of the College Football Playoff and despite controlling much of the game, the ACC champion Tigers fought back and kept the Longhorns on their toes during a closely contested second half.
The two quarterbacks dueled once again, and while Klubnik was statistically more impressive than Ewers, the talent of the Longhorns roster was ultimately too much for the Tigers to overcome.
Ewers finished with 202 yards on 17-of-24 passing, with a touchdown and an interception. The Longhorns’ strength in this game, as it has been all season, was its running game, with Jaydon Blue, Quintrevion Wisner and Jerrick Gibson combining for almost 300 rushing yards on the day and Blue and Wisner both finding the end zone twice.
Gunnar Helm continued to showcase his rapport with Ewers, as the tight end led the Longhorns with 77 yards on six catches and caught Ewers’ only touchdown pass.
Despite the loss, Klubnik was tremendous, finishing with 336 yards on 26-of-43 passing and three touchdowns with an interception.
While the Longhorn defense showed susceptibility in the passing game, it made plays when it mattered, including a critical goal line stand and a huge fourth down stop in the fourth quarter that allowed the Burnt Orange to seal the victory.
Saturday’s win by the Longhorns punches them a ticket to the College Football Playoff Quarterfinal, where they will travel back to Atlanta to face No. 4 seed Arizona State in the Peach Bowl.
The Sun Devils earned their spot in the playoff by virtue of winning the Big 12 in their first year in the conference. They operate one of the nation’s top rushing attacks, spearheaded by running back Cam Skattebo, who finished fifth in Heisman Trophy voting this season.
The Peach Bowl will kick off at 11 a.m. on ESPN.