Texas Longhorns Advance After Beating Clemson

Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian expressed pride in advancing to the College Football Playoff quarterfinals after defeating Clemson 38-24, praising the performance of quarterback Quinn Ewers, who he noted made significant contributions despite scrutiny. Sarkisian highlighted the importance of their running game, which accounted for 292 rushing yards, and acknowledged the challenge posed by Arizona State and its head coach Kenny Dillingham, especially given their strong turnover margin. Ewers, facing pressure to maintain his starting position amid calls for backup Arch Manning, aims to lead Texas on a successful playoff run. Defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski discussed the team's ability to handle Clemson's dual-threat quarterback, Cade Klubnick, during the game. Sarkisian also credited safety Michael Taaffe for key plays that helped secure the victory, emphasizing the team's commitment to a balanced offensive strategy. Overall, the Longhorns are focused on overcoming past playoff disappointments as they prepare for their next opponent in Atlanta.