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The No. 5-seeded Texas Longhorns (12-2) hosted the No. 12-seeded Clemson Tigers (10-4) in the first round of the new 12-team format of the College Football Playoff. The two teams took the field in Austin, Texas, in the first-ever meeting between the two schools in a clash of powerhouses from the Atlantic Coast Conference and the Southeastern Conference. In a battle, the Longhorns stampeded their way to the next round of the playoff behind a dominant running game with a 38-24 victory over the Tigers.
Game Summary
Clemson received the opening kickoff and opened the scoring with a time-consuming 12-play drive that took almost seven minutes in the first quarter. The drive was highlighted by a 22-yard pass from quarterback Cade Klubnik to receiver Antonio Williams to make the score 7-0. The Longhorns answered with a 12-play drive of their own. Running back Quintrevion Wisner capped off the drive with a 3-yard touchdown run to tie the game at 7.
While the Longhorns' defense forced two punts and an interception on the Tigers' next three possessions, quarterback Quinn Ewers and the offense scored two touchdowns on runs of 1 and 16 yards by Wisner to jump to a 21-7 lead. The Tigers would add a 32-yard field goal by Nolan Hauser to make the score 21-10 in the second quarter. Ewers would find his tight end Gunnar Helm for a 19-yard touchdown to extend the lead to 28-10 as the teams headed to halftime.
Longhorns kicker Bert Auburn would be successful on a 22-yard field goal to extend the lead to 31-10. Following punts by both teams, the Tigers found the end zone again when Klubnik connected with running back Jarvis Green for 25 yards to make the score 31-17. After a turnover on downs, the Tigers would find the end zone again when Klubnik connected with receiver TJ Moore on a 7-yard touchdown reception to make the game close at 31-24. The final score for the Longhorns came when running back Jaydon Blue exploded for a 77-yard run to make the score 38-24.
Texas Longhorns Players of the Game
Jaydon Blue, Quintrevion Wisner
For the Longhorns, their running backs were seemingly unstoppable. Blue led the game with 146 yards to Wisner's 110 and both players had 2 touchdowns in the game. Blue also contributed as a receiver with 31 yards in the game. They both ran with power between the tackles and showcased their speed as they ran to the outside and away from defenders. With their combined efforts, the Longhorns ran away with the victory.
What Happens Next?
For the Longhorns it was a complete win, the offense trampled the Tigers' behind the efforts of Blue and Wisner and the defense disrupted the Tigers' offense behind the efforts of linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. and defensive lineman Bill Norton, and linebackers Ethan Burke and Barryn Sorrell. The group combined for 18 tackles, 3 sacks and 4.5 tackles for a loss. The team win propels the Longhorns and head coach Steve Sarkisian into the next round of the CFP. A game against the fourth-seed Arizona State Sun Devils (11-2) in the Peach Bowl on New Year's Day is next for the Longhorns.
For the Tigers, despite the loss in the first round of the playoff, they have a lot to build on next season and a young nucleus of players to build on and defend their ACC Championship next season.
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