Texas holds off Clemson rally to advance to CFP quarterfinals

AUSTIN, Texas – Jaydon Blue ran for 146 yards and two touchdowns, the last a 77-yard burst in the fourth quarter, and Texas beat Clemson 38-24 on Saturday in the first round of the expanded College Football Playoff.

Blue’s fourth-quarter touchdown came after Clemson rallied from down 31-10 to 31-24 on Cade Klubnik’s third touchdown pass.

Texas (12-2) advanced to the Jan. 1 Peach Bowl to play Big 12 champion Arizona State. The Longhorns opened as a 13.5-point favorite, according to ESPN BET.

Blue also scored on a 38-yard cut-and-dash burst in the second quarter. On his second, he dove into the line, shook off a tackler and then drove three more into the end zone with just 11 minutes remaining.

Quintrevion Wisner added 110 yards rushing and two touchdowns in the first half for Texas. Quinn Ewers passed for 202 yards and a touchdown.

Klubnik, who grew up in Austin, passed for 336 yards and rallied the Tigers (10-4) in the second half against a Texas defense that had given up just four passing touchdowns all season.

Southeastern Conference runner-up Texas is the only one of last season’s four playoff teams to make the new 12-team field. Clemson won the ACC championship to make the playoffs. The Tigers were no. 12 in their first appearance since 2020 and was seventh overall.

Takeaways

Clemson: The Tigers had three big fourth-down chances in the fourth quarter. They turned the first into a touchdown when Klubnik threw to TJ Moore. But they fell short on the next two. Keith Adams Jr. was stuffed at the Texas 1 and Klubnik’s pass at the Texas 26 was incomplete with just over a minute left.

Texas: The Longhorns had some injury scares that could be concerning with more games ahead. Wisner, starting offensive tackle Cam Williams and center Jake Majors all left the field on two plays in the second quarter. Wisner limped off, but was able to return after a handful of drags in the second half. Williams needed help getting off the field, and he and Majors did not return.

Next

Clemson will try to defend its ACC title next season and earn its eighth playoff berth.

Texas advances to face Arizona State in the next round. The Longhorns left the Big 12 before Arizona State joined that league this season.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.