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 Mukuba finally ended a Peach Bowl that will be remembered for years to come.
The game was a back-and-forth affair, with both teams trading blows and neither able to gain a decisive advantage. Texas seemed to be in control early, but Arizona State refused to back down, fighting their way back into the game with a series of big plays.
As the clock ticked down, it seemed as though Arizona State was poised to pull off the upset, but Texas had other plans. Facing a fourth-and-long with the game on the line, the Texas quarterback dropped back and launched a deep pass down the sideline, where it was somehow caught by a Texas receiver, keeping the game alive and sending it into overtime.
The first overtime period was a defensive struggle, with neither team able to score. But in the second overtime, Texas finally broke through, scoring a touchdown to take the lead. Arizona State tried to respond, but Andrew Mukuba had other plans, stepping in front of a pass and intercepting it to seal the win for Texas.
The interception was a fitting end to a game that was full of drama and excitement. Texas had come into the game as the favorite, but Arizona State had given them all they could handle, pushing them to the limit and beyond. In the end, it was Texas who emerged victorious, but Arizona State had earned a lot of respect with their performance.
The win was a huge relief for Texas, who had been looking to avoid the first big upset of the College Football Playoff. They had come close to losing, but in the end, they had managed to pull it out and keep their championship hopes alive.
For Arizona State, the loss was a tough one to swallow. They had come so close to pulling off the upset, but in the end, they had fallen just short. Still, they could hold their heads high, knowing that they had given it their all and left everything on the field.
The game was a thrilling conclusion to the Peach Bowl, and it set the stage for the rest of the College Football Playoff. Texas would move on to the next round, where they would face another tough opponent. But for now, they could celebrate their hard-fought win and look forward to the challenges ahead.