Elevate your local knowledge

Sign up for the iNFOnews newsletter today!

Select Region

Texas avoids huge upset, beats Arizona State 39-31 in double overtime in Peach Bowl

Texas avoids huge upset, beats Arizona State 39-31 in double overtime in Peach Bowl | iNFOnews.ca
Texas defensive back Andrew Mukuba (4) intercepts a pass intended for Arizona State wide receiver Melquan Stovall (5) during overtime in the quarterfinals of a College Football Playoff game, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025, in Atlanta. Texas won 39-31 in two overtime periods. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Original Publication Date: January 1, 2025 2:31PM
Publication Updated: April 11, 2025 2:32AM

ATLANTA (AP) — Texas avoided the first big upset of the College Football Playoff, hitting a fourth-and-long touchdown pass to keep the game going and beating Arizona State 39-31 in double overtime when an interception by Andrew Makuba finally ended a Peach Bowl quarterfinal classic Wednesday.

Cam Skattebo led the Sun Devils back from a 16-point deficit in the fourth quarter and put his team ahead for the first time all day with a 3-yard touchdown run to start overtime against No. 4 Texas (13-2).

No. 10 Arizona State — a two-touchdown underdog — was on the verge of winning when Texas faced fourth-and-13 on its first overtime possession. But Quinn Ewers found Matthew Golden breaking free behind two defenders to haul in a 28-yard touchdown.

After moving to the opposite end of Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Ewers threw a 25-yard touchdown pass to Gunnar Helms on the very next play, followed by a 2-point conversion pass to Golden.

The Longhorns finally put Arizona State (11-3) away when Makuba picked off Sam Leavitt’s pass at the 3 to end the game.

Texas avoids huge upset, beats Arizona State 39-31 in double overtime in Peach Bowl | iNFOnews.ca
Texas defensive back Michael Taaffe (16) hits Arizona State running back Cam Skattebo (4) during the second half in the quarterfinals of a College Football Playoff game, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Texas avoids huge upset, beats Arizona State 39-31 in double overtime in Peach Bowl | iNFOnews.ca
Arizona State running back Cam Skattebo (4) runs into Texas defensive back Andrew Mukuba (4) during the second half in the quarterfinals of a College Football Playoff game, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Texas avoids huge upset, beats Arizona State 39-31 in double overtime in Peach Bowl | iNFOnews.ca
Texas; Bert Auburn (45) misses a field goal in the closing seconds during of regulation in the quarterfinals of a College Football Playoff game against Arizona State, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Texas avoids huge upset, beats Arizona State 39-31 in double overtime in Peach Bowl | iNFOnews.ca
Arizona State defensive lineman Clayton Smith (10) celebrates the missed field goal attempt by Texas during the second half in the quarterfinals of a College Football Playoff game, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Texas avoids huge upset, beats Arizona State 39-31 in double overtime in Peach Bowl | iNFOnews.ca
Arizona State linebacker Zyrus Fiaseu (30) and Montana Warren (9) celebrate a missed field goal by Texas during the second half in the quarterfinals of a College Football Playoff game, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Texas avoids huge upset, beats Arizona State 39-31 in double overtime in Peach Bowl | iNFOnews.ca
Arizona State running back Cam Skattebo (4) runs into the end zone for a touchdown against Texas during the second half in the quarterfinals of a College Football Playoff game, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

___

Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here. AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football

News from © The Associated Press, . All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Join the Conversation!

Want to share your thoughts, add context, or connect with others in your community?

Create a free account

The Associated Press

Paul Newberry

The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world’s population sees AP journalism every day.

Related Articles