The Texas Longhorns knocked off the Clemson Tigers 38-24 Saturday night, marking their advance to the next stage of the College Football Playoff. The playoff, which featured eight teams this year, showcased the Longhorns as formidable contenders as they prepared for their upcoming match against Arizona State.
At Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium, Texas displayed both resilience and tactical savvy. Coach Steve Sarkisian's game plan emphasized power running and quick reactions from his players, particularly evident when tight end Gunnar Helm made adjustments mid-play. Helm, who had previously received instructions to execute his route across the face of Clemson safety R.J. Mickens, reacted dynamically to the Clemson coverage, resulting in a 19-yard touchdown reception. This play was representative of the adaptability the Longhorns exemplified throughout the match.
Explaining the touchdown, Helm said, "So it was more of lean and then post route, just kind of selling the corner, and then when the safety bit down I just took (the route) high…" His touchdown reception was the sixth of the season, pushing the Longhorns to a dominant 28-10 lead by halftime.
Clemson's coach, Dabo Swinney, saw his team falter after starting strong, taking the lead early on with quarterback Cade Klubnik finding wide receiver Antonio Williams for the opening touchdown. Yet, Texas's powerful rushing attack quickly equalized and then surged past them. The Longhorns finished with nearly 300 yards on the ground, effectively overpowering Clemson's defense.
One pivotal moment came late in the game, when Texas executed a goal-line stand against Clemson. With less than eight minutes remaining and the Longhorns leading by two scores, Clemson found themselves facing fourth-and-goal at the Texas 1-yard line. Despite the mounting pressure, Texas's defensive line held firm, stopping the Tigers' Keith Adams Jr. and asserting their dominance.
Defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski reflected on the fourth-down stop, acknowledging it as a game-changing moment. "For us to get [that stop], to hold it to a two-score game was huge," he stated. Kwiatkowski lauded the mental toughness of his players as they continued to battle against Clemson's efforts to push back.
Klubnik, though talented, struggled against Texas's defense, which had allowed no more than 211 passing yards throughout the season prior to Saturday's game. He threw for 336 yards but had limited success on the ground, managing only five yards on 13 attempts. Kwiatkowski noted, "Today we put those corners in a lot of one-on-one situations, and (Clemson) made good plays on some 50/50 balls.... We'll go back to work and improve."
Meanwhile, Jahdae Barron, Texas's Thorpe Award winner, effectively curbed Clemson’s budding threats, allowing just 23 yards from eight targets directed at him.
The challenges persisted for the Longhorns, who lost two key offensive linemen during the game, yet the remaining players adapted remarkably well. Hayden Conner stepped up to play center, and the offensive line allowed quarterback Quinn Ewers ample time to establish rhythm, marking only 21.4% pressure on Ewers during dropbacks—Clemson's lowest rate since Week 7.
Much of Texas’s success can be attributed to the strong bond and trust between Ewers and Helm. Ewers, who surpassed previous records for tight-end receptions and yardage, connected multiple times with Helm, cementing their dynamic partnership. The Longhorns ended the game on solid footing with Helm’s performance symbolizing their resiliency and flexibility.
Looking forward, the Longhorns are set to face Arizona State at the Peach Bowl on New Year's Day, where they will aim to continue their momentum. Meanwhile, debate surrounds Clemson’s path forward, as analysts and fans question the effectiveness of their strategy as they navigate post-playoff discussions.
With the victory, Texas has emerged as the favorite to clinch the national title, boasting the shortest odds at +300 according to BetMGM. This victory appears to be just what Texas needed to prove they are legitimate national championship contenders.
The Longhorns’ performance not only showcased their explosive offense and staunch defense but also previewed what may come as the playoffs progress. Texas fans can be hopeful as they witness their team rise through the playoff ranks, demonstrating the skills and teamwork necessary to contend for college football's ultimate prize.
