Last Updated 12:29 AM, December 22, 2024
Sam Harrigan | krikya18.com

No. 5 Texas defeats No. 12 Clemson, 38-24, in CFP first round

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College Football Playoff bracket: Breaking down the final rankings, matchups
9:56
12:26 am, December 22, 2024

🏆 Texas holds off Clemson, wins 38-24

Texas Wisner celebrates touchdown

Texas outlasted Clemson in its first round matchup of the College Football Playoff, winning 38-24 behind a melting pot of big plays, forced turnovers and the running back room's field day. The Longhorns shut down the Tigers' late-game surge that loomed large in the 14-point win, forcing back-to-back turnover on downs.

Texas looked like a freight train from the opening kick off, scoring on three straight drives by the rushing tandem Quintrevion Wisner and Jaydon Blue. By halftime, the Longhorns led 28-10, while Blue and Wisner finished the game with 256 rushing yards and four touchdowns.

Clemson caught fire between the last few minutes of the third quarter and early parts of the fourth through three straight touchdowns of its own, making it a one-score game multiple times. However, the Longhorns answered the bell when needed most, making a goal-line stand to slow down the Tigers, and another with less than minute left in the game to put the nail in the coffin.

They advance to the quarterfinals to face Arizona State in the Peach Bowl on Jan. 1. 

12:06 am, December 22, 2024

🫨 Longhorns make goal line stand, keep two-score lead

The Longhorns' defense come up huge in arguably the game's biggest play yet.

Between a roughing the passer penalty and two passes for over 25 yards, Clemson sat at Texas' one-yard line and was knocking on the Longhorns' doorstep for its third straight touchdown. Texas stepped up to the occasion, though, stopping the Tigers on third and fourth down to keep it a two-score game, 38-24, with less than eight minutes left to play.

It was the unit's third forced turnover of the game.

11:59 pm, December 21, 2024

⚡️Texas responds immediately, extends lead to 38-24

Texas running back Jaydon Blue broke free again, turning on the burners for a 77-yard touchdown run on the second play of the drive. The Longhorns take back a two-score lead, stunting Clemson's comeback efforts. 
11:53 pm, December 21, 2024

😳 Clemson cuts lead to seven, 31-24

The Tigers were trailing 31-10 early in the third quarter. After stopping Texas on 4th down, Cade Klubnik drove Clemson 64 yards, topped off with a seven-yard touchdown pass to TJ Moore on 4th and 6. Texas still leads 31-24 with under 12 minutes to play. 
11:43 pm, December 21, 2024

❌ Clemson stops Texas on 4th down

The Tigers pick up a necessary 4th and 2 stop in Clemson territory after a dropped pass from Texas receiver Matthew Golden. Cade Klubnik takes over near the end of the third, looking to pull within a touchdown. 
11:34 pm, December 21, 2024

👀 Clemson pull within two TDs

Tigers go 55 yards in four plays to cut the lead to 14 points. Cade Klubnik found Jarvis Green up the seam for a 25-yard TD pass. 
11:18 pm, December 21, 2024

🎯 Longhorns take three TD lead with field goal, 31-10

Clemson's defense held strong, stopping Texas on the 1-yard line. Steve Sarkisian played it safe on 4th and goal, extending the lead to 21 points for the Longhorns with a chip-shot field goal. 
10:46 pm, December 21, 2024

👀 Texas in control at the break

Texas vs Clemson

The Longhorns' offense is rolling heading to the locker room. The running back duo of Quintrevion Wisner and Jaydon Blue combined for 136 rushing yards and three scores in the first 30 minutes. Quinn Ewers is an efficient 11 for 14 for 148 yards, a touchdown and an interception. 

Clemson has not been able to get its ground game going with starting running back Phil Mafah struggling with a shoulder injury. He had only two rushes in the first half. Tigers wide receiver Adam Randall has been running the ball for Dabo Swinney, but 41 of Clemson's 65 rushing yards came on one run from Randall in the first quarter. 

10:40 pm, December 21, 2024

🤘 Texas responds quick, extending lead to 28-10

The Longhorns stormed down the field with under two minutes to play, driving 65 yards in seven plays for the score. Quinn Ewers found Gunnar Helm on a 19-yard touchdown catch in the back of the end zone. Texas extends its lead to 28-10 with 30 seconds to play in the first half. 
10:35 pm, December 21, 2024

🎯 Clemson settles for three

After the interception, the Tigers drove into the red zone, but the Longhorns defense stood strong, holding Clemson to a 32-yard field goal. Texas takes over with under two minutes to play. 
10:25 pm, December 21, 2024

😳 Quinn Ewers picked off

Clemson safety RJ Mickens picked off Quinn Ewers and took it to the end zone. However, the Tigers had a blindside block on the interception return, canceling the touchdown. Clemson takes over at midfield with under three minutes to play. 
10:15 pm, December 21, 2024

❌ Clemson makes huge 4th down stop

After the Longhorns came down with an interception in Tiger territory, Clemson made a much-needed 4th-and-1 stop. The Tigers will look to cut into the lead with under four to play in the first half. 
10:07 pm, December 21, 2024

🔥 Longhorn offense rolling

Texas extends its lead to 21-7 midway through the second quarter with a 16-yard touchdown run from Quintrevion Wisner. The score was set up by a 43-yard deep ball from Quinn Ewers to Matthew Golden. 
9:51 pm, December 21, 2024

💨 Jaydon Blue gives Texas the lead

Texas running back Jaydon Blue turned on the jets for a 38-yard touchdown run. The Longhorns lead 14-7 early in the second quarter. 
9:35 pm, December 21, 2024

🤘 Texas answers

The Longhorns put together their own 12-play, 75-yard drive, matching Clemson's opening touchdown drive. Steve Sarkisian converted a 4th and 1 in the red zone before Quintrevion Wisner punched it in from three yards out.