FINAL: Texas tops Clemson, 38-24

Longhorns make a 4th down stop and will win

On to Atlanta.

Longhorns run time off the clock but fail to convert a fourth down that would have clinched it.

Texas gets to 4th and 1 at the Clemson 39 after they made the goal-line stuff thanks to a pass interference on Avieon Carter and moved the ball with Jerrick Gibson. Arch Manning takes the snap and fumbles it, and the Tigers will have 1:46 to score two touchdowns.

Clemson driving, Klubnik dropping dimes, Tigers stuffed

Klubnik showcased his deep passing ability and then some on this drive, finding TJ Moore twice and Adam Randall once, picking on Manny Muhammad each time. The Clemson offense gets a 1st and goal thanks to a Colin Simmons personal foul. One incompletion is followed by a Klubnik scramble that reaches the one. On 3rd and goal and on 4th and goal, the Texas defense holds and keeps Clemson out of the end zone.

Jaydon Blue runs it 77 yards to make it a two possession game

Jaydon Blue rushes 77 yards on second down and eludes every Clemson defender to take it to the end zone and put the Longhorns up 38-24.

Clemson makes it a one-score game

The Tigers drive 64 yards in 10 plays and 4:12 to make it a one-score game. Clemson faces a 4th and 6 and Klubnik rolls right to find TJ Moore wide open in the end zone. 31-24 Texas 11:43 Q4

After 3: Texas 31, Clemson 17

Texas drives into Clemson territory but turns it over on downs

Ewers starts the drive with a nice completion over the middle then guides the offense into Clemson territory thanks to a pass interference call on Clemson. The Longhorns eventually get to a 4th and 2, and Ewers’ pass intended for Matthew Golden is dropped due to an off-target throw and results in a turnover on downs.

Clemson responds with a touchdown

Cade Klubnik leads the Tigers 55 yards on 4 plays and in 1:01 to make it 31-17 Texas. The play that scored the touchdown looked alarmingly similar to the play that Texas used to score with Gunnar Helm at the end of the first half.

Texas goes three and out

The Longhorns can’t do anything from their own 22 and are forced punt, even despite Ewers almost converting a deep pass to Wingo that was broken up at the last second. Texas punts and it is returned to the -45.

Clemson’s ensuing drive goes nowhere

Clemson can barely do anything and almost gives the ball away when Cade Klubnik is pressured and fumbles on first down. Andrew Mukuba almost intercepts his old teammate. Clemson has to punt and the Longhorns will start on their own 22.

Texas drives to open the half, scores three points with an Auburn FG

Arch Manning picks up a first down on a scramble following some successful offense to put the Longhorns at midfield. A few plays that go nowhere set up a 3rd and 13, and a pass interference penalty moves the sticks for Texas. Inside the five, a poor rush attempt by Manning and a play for Gibson that goes nowhere leads to a Bert Auburn field goal attempt. It’s good. 31-10 Texas 8:10

Halftime: Texas 28, Clemson 10

Longhorns score a touchdown just before half

Texas drives from the -35, and picks up several first downs along the way. One was via a Ewers scramble. The Longhorns reach the Clemson 19, and Ewers finds Helm in the back of the end zone for a score just before halftime.

Clemson’s pick-six is negated by penalty, ends up in three points

Clemson drove into the red zone and faces a 3rd and 5 with 1:43 left. Klubnik can’t complete the pass and Clemson hits the field goal to make it 21-10 with 1:33 left in the half.

Longhorn defense posts a three-and-out after the fourth down stop, Ewers intercepted

Texas takes over on the -42. On the first down snap, Williams and Wisner get tangled up and both slowly leave the field. On the next snap, Ewers hits Gunnar Helm in the hands but it is bobbled then intercepted by RJ Mickens. An illegal block costs the Tigers points, and Clemson takes over on the -46 after the penalty. Multiple O-linemen are now dinged up as Majors was hurt by the illegal block. He retreats to the locker room at the two minute timeout.

Colin Simmons intercepts Cade Klubnik, Texas can’t do anything with it

On a 3rd and 7, Colin Simmons intercepts a pass that was tipped in the air by Barryn Sorrell. Texas takes over on the 26. The Longhorns are unable to do anything with the possession as a 4th and 2 attempt is stuffed by Sammy Brown.

Longhorns take 21-7 lead after another Wisner TD

Texas picks up the first down then Ewers finds Golden deep downfield for a 43 yard gain to quickly move into Clemson territory on a catch that required phenomenal concentration. Wisner moves the Horns into the red zone on the next play. Then when on the 16, Wisner takes a handoff to score his second touchdown of the day.

Clemson takes over on the 19, is forced to punt

On the Tigers’ first play, Adam Randall finds a crease and rushes 41 yards to flip the field and put Clemson on the 40. A meager gain is followed by a sack of Klubnik by fellow Westlake Chapparal Ethan Burke, and the Tigers can’t convert the 3rd and 16 thanks to a Barron PBU. Texas takes over on the 18 after a Clemson penalty.

Clemson punts, Texas takes over on the 35, scores

Texas runs with Wisner twice for big gains then gets another first down inside the Clemson 40 with a reverse by Ryan Wingo. The next play, Jaydon Blue takes the ball 38 yards to the house on a run play to make it 14-7 12:49.

After 1: Clemson 7, Texas 7

Texas evens the score with its own 75-yard drive

Texas responds with a 75 yard drive of its own. The Longhorns move the ball through the air and get into Clemson territory. Ewers is sacked, but the Longhorns pick up the 23 yards needed for the first in two plays. A third and short in the red zone requires Arch Manning, but the redshirt freshman can’t get the yardage needed. The very next snap, Jerrick Gibson does the job and a few plays later Wisner gets the three-yard score to tie the game at 7-7 with 2:04 left in the first.

Clemson takes a 7-0 lead on its first drive

Klubnik completes a few passes and rushes on 3rd and 2 to pick up enough yardage for a first down and to move into Texas territory. The Tigers call a timeout after driving 50 yards to the Texas 25 and begin their threat from the high red zone with a new set of downs. The Longhorns get Clemson into a 3rd and 7, but Texas’ man-to-man defense is countered by the perfect play call from Clemson and a crossing route from Antonio Williams finds the end zone to make it 7-0 Clemson with 8:14 left.

Clemson to start on offense

Texas won the toss and deferred. Clemson will move south to north on offense, or right to left on the TV screen.

Kelvin Banks takes first-string reps at left tackle in pregame warmups

After missing the Georgia game, the unanimous All-American will be protecting Quinn Ewers’ blind side.

Isaiah Bond in street clothes

Bond will not play in Saturday’s game versus Clemson.

Clemson injury update

Kelvin Banks going through warmups

Texas players warm-up in shorts and t-shirts when there is under two hours to game time. Texas left tackle Kelvin Banks is warming up, going through pregame calisthenics and the like. Our Eric Nahlin had an update on health here ($): https://www.on3.com/boards/threads/quick-note-on-health.1685442/

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