Texas football dominated its first-round College Football Playoff game against Clemson, coming from behind to win 38-24 and advancing to the Peach Bowl. Here’s how the Longhorns graded out in Saturday’s victory.
The Longhorns’ offense was a force to be reckoned with, led by quarterback Quinn Ewers who threw for 202 yards and a touchdown on 17-of-24 passing. The ground game also excelled, with running backs Jaydon Blue and Quintrevion Wisner combining for 256 yards on 31 carries.
The receiving corps struggled, but tight end Gunnar Helm made the most of his six catches for 77 yards and a touchdown. However, the unit as a whole was held back by the absence of injured Isaiah Bond.
On offense, Texas’ line showed resilience despite losing two starters to injury, paving the way for 494 yards on 56 carries with just two sacks allowed.
The defensive front was the real star of the show, holding Clemson to just 76 yards rushing on 24 carries. Longhorns defenders Barryn Sorrell and Colin Simmons combined for two sacks and an interception, while senior reserve Bill Norton had a sack and forced fumble.
Despite some inconsistencies in the secondary and special teams units, Texas showed flashes of brilliance on defense, particularly with quarterback Cade Klubnik getting picked off by Malik Muhammad. Overall, the Longhorns’ performance earned them solid grades across the board.
Source: https://eu.statesman.com/story/sports/college/longhorns/football/2024/12/22/texas-football-report-card-grades-vs-clemson/77006404007