The Texas football program continues its march toward its first national championship game since the 2009 season in a College Football Playoff quarterfinal game against Arizona State Wednesday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
Seeded fifth in the 12-team CFP bracket, the Longhorns entered the game as big favorites against fourth-seeded Arizona State, which won the Big 12 title. Texas boasts a veteran squad that’s especially seasoned on both lines of scrimmage as well as at quarterback with three-year starter Quinn Ewers. But the upstart Sun Devils hope to shock the nation by upsetting one of the CFP favorites behind All-American running back Cam Skattebo and an opportunistic defense.
Watch Texas football vs Arizona State live on ESPN+ (subscribe today)
Texas leads at halftime behind a stingy defense, but the Longhorns haven’t been able to sustain many offensive drives.
Follow along for updates:
More:Texas football’s 2024 championship chase is Steve Sarkisian’s big score | Golden
Texas vs Arizona State score updates
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F | |
| ARIZONA STATE | 3 | 0 | 5 | 16 | 0 |
| TEXAS | 14 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 0 |
2:00 4Q: Texas 24, Arizona State 24
Give Quinn Ewers credit, because the three-year starter at quarterback has calmly led Texas to the Arizona State 33-yard line while chewing up the clock. The Longhorns are in Bert Auburn’s range, but you know Texas coach Steve Sarkisian wants to get a lot closer considering the up-and-down season for Auburn.
5:00 4Q: Texas 24, Arizona State 24
Cam Skattebo, the 225-pound All-American running back for Arizona State, bulls in from the 2 yard line. and he ties the game with a 2-point conversion run after a defensive holding call gives the Sun Devil a second chance at the conversion.
5:07 4Q: Texas 24, Arizona State 16
Cam Skattebo, the 225-pound All-American running back for Arizona State, splits out wide and beats Texas safety Michael Taaffe for a 62-yard catch downfield. That helps set up a first-and-goal for Arizona State at the 2-yard line. Does Texas have another goal-line stand ready?
5:37 4Q: Texas 24, Arizona State 16
Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers throws deep into double coverage for the third time this game, and this time it costs him. Javan Robinson comes down with the interception and the first turnover of the game, and the Sun Devils have the ball at their own 21-yard line.
6:31 4Q: Texas 24, Arizona State 16
On fourth down at midfield, Arizona State reaches into its bag of tricks and Cam Skattebo throws a halfback pass to Malik McClain for a 42-yard touchdown pass. And the Sun Devils convert the two-point conversion to make it a one-score game. This CFP quarterfinal is certainly not over. Now, can Texas produce one of its patented long drives late in the game?
10:17 4Q: Texas 24, Arizona State 8
Where would Texas be without receiver Matthew Golden? The junior pulls down a 29-yard catch on third-and-10, which sets up the Longhorns in the red zone and leads to a 5-yard touchdown scramble by Quinn Ewers . Golden has four catches for 94 yards; the rest of the Texas receivers and tight ends have a total of two catches for 31 yards. With the way the Texas defense has played, could that score be enough?
End 3Q: Texas 17, Arizona State 8
What a strange game for Texas, especially on offense. The Longhorns’ offensive line can’t get any push against a small Arizona State defense. Texas has just 141 yards of offense compared to 303 for Arizona State. That punt return for a touchdown by Silas Bolden in the first quarter is looking more and more pivotal as this CFP quarterfinal game wears on.
:41 3Q: Texas 17, Arizona State 8
This Texas defense has been on the field for 68 plays, and it finally seems to be wearing down. ASU running back Cam Skattebo picked up steam on that drive and now has 110 yards rushing on 23 carries, but the Sun Devil offense again bogs down in the red zone after a third-down sack by Colin Simmons. This time, ASU coach Kenny Dillingham settles for a 36-yard field goal by Carsten Kieffer. If Dillingham had made that decision twice earlier, we’d have a 3-point game.
6:51 3Q: Texas 17, Arizona State 5
Now, Malik Muhammad is down for the Texas defense. The cornerback is in the midst of a stellar sophomore season, and he broke up a pass in the first half that prevented an ASU defense. The injuries are mounting for Texas, although safety Michael Taaffe and left tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. have both returned for Texas.
7:32 3Q: Texas 17, Arizona State 5
Ball security has been an issue for the Longhorns all season, and it costs Texas again. Quintrevion Wisner gets hammered in the end zone, the ball pops out, an alert Quinn Ewers catches it in the end zone to prevent an Arizona State touchdown, but he gets gang-tackled for a safety. And the Sun Devils get the ball back.
7:43 3Q: Texas 17, Arizona State 3
Wow, another fourth-down stand by Texas. After LB David Gbenda stuffs QB Sam Leavitt for no gain on third-and-goal from the 2-yard line, DT Vernon Broughton knocks down the ASU All-American Cam Skattebo for no gain on fourth down. That goal-line defense continues to be the story for the Longhorns. Oh, and Texas safety Michael Taaffe, the former walk-on who’s become an All-American, is back on the field.
10:23 3Q: Texas 17, Arizona State 3
Texas All-American left tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. limped off the field after staying on the turf for a few moments on the Longhorns’ first drive of the second half. Texas is already thin up front with right tackle Cameron Williams sidelined with a knee injury. Now, safety Michael Taaffe is on the turf as the Sun Devils drive into the red zone on their first piossession after the break.
Halftime: Texas 17, Arizona State 3
Carsten Kieffer tries a 36-yard field goal for ASU but Ethan Burke stretches out his 6-foot-6 frame and blocks the kick with just 15 seconds left in the first half. The Texas defense, which entered the game ranked No. 3 in the nation in total defense, has again played well despite spending almost 20 minutes on the field. Arizona State has 178 yards but needed 47 plays. But that Texas offense needs to get untracked; the Longhorns have just 19 yards rushing and six first downs while struggling to string together a drive.
2:00 2Q: Texas 17, Arizona State 3
The Texas special teams are again victimized by a fake punt. Georgia did it in the SEC championship game, and now Arizona State punter Canyon Floyd keeps a Sun Devil drive alive with a 32-yard pass to big Blazen Lono-Wong. ASU is set up at the Texas 47-yard line entering the 2-minute warning.
3:38 2Q: Texas 17, Arizona State 3
Texas QB Quinn Ewers went 2-for-2 for 77 yards and a touchdown on the Longhorns’ first drive. Since then, he’s 4-of-8 for 37 yards on three drives that have led to three points for Texas.
5:09 2Q: Texas 17, Arizona State 3
Give Arizona State QB Sam Leavitt credit, because he’s doing a nice job evading a relentless Texas pass rush. But Trey Moore gets to him on a fourth-and-10 from the Texas 34-yard line, and Texas gets the ball back. The Sun Devils are controlling the clock with 36 snaps compared to 17 for Texas but have just 117 yards.
8:54 2Q: Texas 17, Arizona State 3
See? Both coaches like to go for it. Texas HC Steve Sarkisian bypasses a 32-yard field goal try and the Longhorns convert a fourth-and-2 with a nice catch from Matthew Golden. But the team needs Bert Auburn anyway, and the all-time Texas leader in made field goals boots it home from 22 yards.
14:30 2Q: Texas 14, Arizona State 3
Both head coaches like to go for it on fourth down, and the Texas defense stands tall on the first fourth-down play of the game. Alfred Collins stuffs Cam Skattebo for a yard on fourth-and-2 from the Texas 25-yard line. Massive play by the fifth-year Texas senior.
End 1Q: Texas 14, Arizona State 3
The ground game for both squads is an interesting story. Cam Skattebo, the All-American running back for Arizona State, has just 25 yards on eight carries in the opening quarter. Texas has only one carry by a running back, a 4-yard gain by Quintrevion Wisner. But then again, Texas has run just five plays compared to 26 for the Sun Devils.
5:32 1Q: Texas 14, Arizona State 3
Texas defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski is in his bag with the blitz packages. Arizona State QB Sam Leavitt is under duress and the Sun Devils have their second straight three-and-out. Arizona State has 35 yards on its first three drives.
7:08 1Q: Texas 14, Arizona State 3
Special teams problems, you say? Don’t tell Silas Bolden, who rips off a 75-yard punt return for a touchdown. Great block by Ryan Niblett as Texas gets its first kick return of any sort for a touchdown this season.
8:14 1Q: Texas 7, Arizona State 3
Well, that didn’t take long. Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers hits Matthew Golden for a 54-yard pass and follows that with a 23-yard touchdown pass to DeAndre Moore Jr. Two plays, two passes, one touchdown for Texas.
8:59 1Q: Arizona State 3, Texas 0
Texas has struggled on special teams all season, and another mistake keeps Arizona State’s first drive alive and leads to a 39-yard field goal by Carston Keiffer. Mo Blackwell Jr. just missed blocking a Sun Devil punt, but he runs into the punter for a 5-yard penalty and a first down. A facemask by Texas linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. later on the drive doesn’t help, either.
Texas vs Arizona State kicks off
Texas will open the game on defense after the Longhorns win the toss and defer. The winner of this CFP quarterfinal game will play either Oregon or Ohio State in a CFP semifinal Jan. 10.
Report: RT Cameron Williams will miss game vs Arizona State
Per a report from ESPN’s Pete Thamel, Texas right tackle Cameron Williams is « unlikely » to play against Arizona State because of a right knee strain suffered in a first-round College Football Playoff win over Clemson Dec. 21. Redshirt freshman Trevor Goosby is expected to start for Williams after filling in at rigth tackle against Clemson.
What channel is Texas vs Arizona State game on today?
Texas’ game vs. Arizona State in a first-round game of the CFP will be broadcast on ESPN. Streaming options for the game include ESPN+ and Fubo streaming service.
Texas vs Arizona State history
- Series record: Texas leads 1-0
- Texas’ last win: Texas 52, Arizona State 34 (Dec. 27, 2007)
- Arizona State’s last win: N/A
More:How Texas football is handling the longest season in program history | Golden
Texas vs Arizona State predictions
Thomas Jones, Texas beat writer
Texas 35, Arizona State 13
TEXAS HOLDS THE LINES
The Sun Devils force turnovers and don’t give away the ball, two key factors for any upset. But the Longhorns’ overwhelming edge on both sides of the line of scrimmage won’t let that matter.
Cedric Golden, Columnist
Texas 34, Arizona State 20
HORNS GROUND SKATTEBO
Cam Skattebo is as good as advertised but so is the Texas Longhorn run defense which keeps him under wraps. Texas is hitting its stride at the perfect time of the season.
Danny Davis, Texas beat writer
Texas
MIDNIGHT STRIKES FOR CINDERELLA SUN DEVILS
Arizona State has enjoyed a fairytale season but it is midnight, Cinderella. Texas is the best team that Arizona State has faced this season, and this one shouldn’t be close. The Cotton Bowl calls for UT.
David Eckert, Texas insider
Texas 28, Arizona State 13
DEFENSE COOLS OFF SUN DEVILS
Cam Skattebo is special, but so is the Texas defense. Look for the Longhorns to push the Sun Devils around in the trenches on their way to the semis.
Peach Bowl betting odds
Game lines and odds from BetMGM as of Saturday:
- Spread: Texas by 13.5
- Over/under: 52.5
- Moneyline: Texas (-550), Arizona State (+400)
Texas vs Arizona State injury updates
Texas: RB CJ Baxter (out), RB Christian Clark (out), RB Velton Gardner (out), DB Derek Williams Jr. (out), OL Cam Williams (questionable), WR Isaiah Bond (probable).
Arizona State: WR Jordan Tyson (out), RB Raleek Brown (out), WR Zechariah Sample (out), TE Jayden Fourtier (out), WR Jake Smith (questionable), WR Malik McClain (questionable).
Texas vs Arizona State weather update
Weather will not be a factor as the game will be played indoors.
Texas football 2024 schedule
- Aug. 31: Texas 52, Colorado State 0
- Sept. 7: Texas 31, Michigan 12
- Sept. 14: Texas 56, UTSA 7
- Sept. 21: Texas 51, Louisiana Monroe 3
- Sept. 28: Texas 35, Mississippi State 13*
- Oct. 12: Texas 34, Oklahoma 3
- Oct. 19: Georgia 30, Texas 15
- Oct. 26: Texas 27, Vanderbilt 24
- Nov. 9: Texas 49, Florida 17
- Nov. 16: Texas 20, Arkansas 10
- Nov. 23: Texas 31, Kentucky 14
- Nov. 30: Texas 17, Texas A&M 9
- Dec. 7: Georgia 22, Texas 19 (OT), SEC title game
- Dec. 21: Texas 38, Clemson 24, CFP first round
Arizona State football 2024 schedule
Dec. 7: Arizona State 45, Iowa State 19, Big 12 title game
Aug. 31: Arizona State 48, Wyoming 7
Sept. 7: Arizona State 30, Mississippi State 23
Sept. 12: Arizona State 31, Texas State 28
Sept. 21: Texas Tech 30, Arizona State 22
Oct. 5: Arizona State 35, Kansas 31
Oct. 11: Arizona State 27, Utah 19
Oct. 19: Cincinnati 24, Arizona State 14
Nov. 2: Arizona State 42, Oklahoma State 21
Nov. 9: Arizona State 35, UCF 31
Nov. 16: Arizona State 24, Kansas State 14
Nov. 23: Arizona State 28, BYU 23
Nov. 30: Arizona State 49, Arizona 7
