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The moments before The Moment: The plays against ASU which Texas fans shouldn't forget

by:RT Young•01/04/25
David Gbenda
David Gbenda (Will Gallagher/Inside Texas)

Texas rose like the Undertaker in Atlanta, mimicking the Dead Man—WWE icon and Longhorn faithful—with its refusal to surrender in overtime of the Peach Bowl and CFP Quarterfinals. After two missed field goals, a blown lead, and the season on the line, the Longhorns were staring at the sure death of their playoff hopes. But their inability to be killed by the Sun Devils was epitomized in two plays: Quinn Ewers to Matthew Golden on 4th-and-13 and Andrew Mukuba’s game-sealing interception. These moments will now be forever written in Longhorn lore—and their legend will only grow if Texas can summon two more playoff wins.

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Steve Sarkisian’s team needed incredible grit and fortitude to fight back when it felt like they were being teamed up against by the forces of Cinderella, capital-M Momentum, and especially college football folk hero Cam Skattebo. But before those unforgettable moments, there were a few special plays that deserve to be remembered. Here they are:

Silas Bolden’s Punt Return TD

Bolden’s lack of fear on punt returns is reminiscent of a death-defying stuntman who puts his life on the line just to “feel something.” While his return abilities had flashed earlier this season—most notably against Oklahoma and Georgia in the SEC title game—they had mostly been on the shelf. In the Peach Bowl, Bolden finally broke through, taking one to the house. His touchdown gave Texas a 14-3 cushion, a margin that proved critical as the Longhorns desperately tried to give the lead away later.

Manny Muhammad’s End Zone PBU

I hope sophomore cornerback Manny Muhammad hasn’t searched for his name on Twitter. Sheesh. After a rough game against Clemson and a tough second half against ASU, Muhammad has faced his fair share of criticism. But he delivered when it mattered, breaking up a near-touchdown pass before halftime. After Texas’ dominant first half, going into halftime only up seven points could have spelled disaster. Muhammad’s play ensured the Horns held onto control.

David Gbenda’s 3rd-Down Stuff

Strength coach Torre Becton called sixth-year linebacker David Gbenda the strongest player on the team—and now it makes sense. Gbenda delivered a massive hit, stuffing Sam Leavitt in the open field and flexing afterward like a man who knew exactly what he’d done. That tackle set up the 4th-down gang stop that kept Arizona State out of the end zone.

Ewers to Golden: The Preamble

Things were looking shaky for Texas even earlier in the game, but the Longhorns put together a scoring drive to make it 24-8 off a Ewers touchdown scramble on 3rd-and-goal. That drive doesn’t happen without a perfect sideline fade throw to Golden on 3rd-and-10. Coming off a rough interception, this throw—and the subsequent touchdown run—were the beginning of Texas fans collectively channeling the timeless words of our inner Harry to Ewers’ Lloyd: “You go and totally redeem yourself!”

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