Quinn Ewers made pivotal plays in overtime, leading No. 5 Texas to an exciting 39-31 victory over No. 4 Arizona State in the Peach Bowl College Football Playoff quarterfinals.

Ewers threw for 322 yards and accounted for four touchdowns for the Longhorns, who started strong with a 14-0 lead in the first quarter thanks to a remarkable 75-yard punt return touchdown by Silas Bolden. However, the Sun Devils’ effective ball-control strategy disrupted Texas’s momentum.

Arizona State dominated possession, maintaining the ball for nearly 38 minutes and executing 94 plays for 495 yards, compared to Texas’s 375 yards on 60 plays and a mere 53 rushing yards from 30 carries.

The Longhorns led 24-8 early in the fourth quarter after Ewers scored on a short touchdown run following a scramble.

However, the strategy of the Sun Devils began to wear down the Longhorns, allowing Arizona State to tie the game at 24-24 with a 42-yard touchdown reception from running back Cam Skattebo and a subsequent short touchdown run from Skattebo.

In a pivotal moment, after a disputed non-call on a possible targeting penalty against Texas, Arizona State had to punt with a little over a minute left. Texas took over on their 20-yard line, moving 61 yards in eight plays to set up kicker Bert Auburn’s 38-yard field goal attempt at the end of regulation. However, after missing a longer attempt earlier in the game, Auburn’s kick hit the left upright, sending the game to overtime.

The Sun Devils started overtime strong, scoring on a touchdown run by Skattebo, with the drive extended due to a crucial fourth-down conversion by quarterback Sam Leavitt.

During Texas’ possession in overtime, Ewers faced an incomplete pass, a no-gain run, and a short completion with a false-start penalty. However, needing 13 yards on fourth down, Ewers delivered a precise pass to Matthew Golden for a 28-yard touchdown, tying the game at 31-31.

With possession again in the second overtime, Ewers quickly connected with tight end Gunnar Helm for a 25-yard touchdown on the first play. He then found Golden again for a two-point conversion, pushing the Longhorns ahead 39-31.

Arizona State’s following possession ended with an interception by Texas defensive back Andrew Mukuba, securing the victory for the Longhorns.

Next, Texas will face the victor of the Rose Bowl showdown between Oregon and Ohio State.

On the defensive front, the Longhorns aimed to contain Skattebo, who ranked fifth in the Bowl Subdivision for rushing yards per game heading into the playoffs.

While Skattebo was kept in check during the first half, he started gaining traction in the third quarter and ended the game with 141 rushing yards on 29 attempts, alongside 86 receiving yards and three overall touchdowns, showcasing an impressive individual performance this postseason.

In contrast, Arizona State quarterback Sam Leavitt struggled to fend off the aggressive Texas pass rush, completing 23 of 43 passes for 209 yards and averaging only 4.9 yards per throw.

Ewers completed 19 of 29 passes for Texas, with Quintrevion Wisner rushing for 45 yards on 18 carries and contributing 40 receiving yards. Golden led the Longhorns with an impressive 149 receiving yards and a touchdown.

This defeat concludes an exceptional season for the Sun Devils, who rebounded from just three wins the previous year to claim the Big 12 title and earn a bye into the quarterfinals by defeating Iowa State in the conference championship.