It was a long shot that No. 12 Arizona State’s Cinderella story would continue through the College Football Playoffs matched up against No. 3 Texas in the Chick-fil-a Peach Bowl. Just halfway through the first quarter, the Sun Devils (11-2,7-2) carriage had already turned into a pumpkin and their glass slippers shattered.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The Longhorns (12-2,7-1) had barely touched the ball and already held a 13-3 lead.
After ASU opened the game with a field goal, Texas showed the Sun Devils what the SEC is all about.
Following the ensuing kickoff, Texas junior quarterback Quinn Ewers found junior wide receiver Matthew Golden for a quick strike that Golden took for 54 yards before being dragged down. Ewers would take back to the air on the next play, finding sophomore wide receiver DeAndre Moore Jr. for a 23-yard score.
TWO-PLAY TUDDY ????#HookEm | #CFBPlayoff pic.twitter.com/4V6EpSJZp7
— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) January 1, 2025
It wouldn’t take long for the Longhorns to get back in the end zone.
After a quick Arizona State three-and-out, senior wide receiver Silas Bolden recovered the Sun Devils’ punt, parted the Red Sea and dashed 75 yards to pay dirt.
TOOOOO EASY ????????#HookEm | #CFBPlayoff pic.twitter.com/mnVhuBlzWE
— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) January 1, 2025
Don’t be fooled by the first Arizona State points — its been a rough start for head coach Kenny Dillingham and his team.
The only reason ASU has any points on the board is because of costly mistakes by the Texas’ defense, saving the Sun Devils opening drive.
A roughing the kicker call rescued Arizona State from switching possession after just four offensive plays. The drive would be extended four plays later after Sun Devils redshirt freshman quarterback Sam Leavitt was dragged down by his helmet, earning a face mask. Arizona State would be halted from scoring a touchdown, but did manage to put three points on the board thanks to a 38-yard boot by redshirt freshman kicker Carston Kieffer.
The Sun Devils were forced to punt again following another three-and-out; however, ASU was able to turn the tables. Dillingham regathered his team with a time out on 3 & 12 and froze Texas, forcing the Longhorns to point. ASU drove down the field through the remainder of the first quarter and seemed as if they were going to make a change, but opened the second quarter with a risky fourth down attempt that went for broke.
It’s not looking good for the Sun Devils. There is three quarters of ball left to play, but Arizona State’s fairytale dream is quickly turning into a nightmare.
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Reporter Jordyn Bennett covers the Arizona Cardinals, Arizona State, Phoenix area sports and sports related topics. You can follow him on his X account, @j_bennett_live
