Matthew Golden Shines as Texas Survives Arizona State in Double Overtime Thriller to Reach Playoff Semis

Matthew Golden Shines as Texas Survives Arizona State in Double Overtime Thriller to Reach Playoff Semis

ATLANTA — The Texas Longhorns are headed to the College Football Playoff Semifinals after a thrilling, heart-stopping 39-31 victory over Arizona State in the Peach Bowl. What looked like a comfortable lead late in the fourth quarter quickly turned into a wild, double-overtime finish. In the end, it was Texas’ explosive offense and clutch plays from wide receiver Matthew Golden that propelled the Longhorns to the win.

Golden’s Electrifying Performance

The biggest star of the night was undoubtedly Matthew Golden. The sophomore wide receiver was a matchup nightmare for Arizona State, finishing with 7 catches for 149 yards, a touchdown, and a pivotal 2-point conversion. His performance was nothing short of spectacular, earning him the highest grade of any Longhorn player in the game. Golden’s standout effort came when the stakes were highest: in overtime, with Texas’ playoff hopes on the line, Golden made an incredible 28-yard touchdown grab from quarterback Quinn Ewers, giving the Longhorns a much-needed spark.

"It feels amazing to come through for my team in a moment like this," Golden said after the game. "We knew Arizona State wasn’t going to back down, but we stayed focused, and we executed when it mattered most."

Golden’s ability to shake free from defenders and make big plays in critical moments was a game-changer. His chemistry with Ewers, who threw for 322 yards and three touchdowns, was on full display, with Golden becoming Ewers' most trusted target throughout the game.

Ewers and the Late Drama

Texas seemed to be in control with a 24-8 lead midway through the fourth quarter, and the Longhorns appeared to be cruising toward a College Football Playoff Semifinal berth. That was until Arizona State made one of the most unlikely comebacks in recent memory.

After Quinn Ewers’ five-yard rushing touchdown stretched the Texas lead to 24-8, Arizona State refused to go quietly. The Sun Devils, on the brink of elimination, got creative. Running back Cam Skattebo took a toss-sweep to the right and launched a 42-yard touchdown pass to Malik McClain, cutting the deficit to 24-16. From that point forward, Arizona State’s offense was on fire, and the Longhorns were forced to regroup.

In overtime, the Sun Devils answered first with a Skattebo touchdown run. But Texas was unshaken. Ewers, with the game hanging in the balance, connected with Golden for the 28-yard TD strike on 4th and 13 that re-energized the Longhorns and gave them the lead. On the first play of the second overtime, Ewers hit Gunnar Helm for a 25yd TD and Golden’s 2-point conversion, which followed, further solidified Texas’ position as Arizona State was unable to match.

A Wild Finish

Despite the emotional rollercoaster, the Longhorns weren’t completely safe until the very end. The biggest drama of the night came courtesy of kicker Bert Auburn, who had missed a 48-yard field goal earlier in regulation and then clanged a 38-yard attempt off the left upright with just 1:39 left in the fourth quarter. Auburn’s miss had Texas fans on edge, wondering if this would be the mistake that haunted them.

But with the game in double overtime, it was up to Texas’ defense to seal the deal. Cornerback Andrew Mukuba rose to the occasion, intercepting a pass from Arizona State quarterback Sam Leavitt on third-and-10, ending the Sun Devils' final hopes for a comeback.

“It wasn’t pretty, but we did what we had to do to win,” said Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian. “Matthew Golden was phenomenal tonight, and Quinn [Ewers] showed the kind of leadership we expect from him. We’ve got some things to clean up, but this was a huge step for us.”

Next Up: Ohio State

With the win, Texas punches their ticket to the College Football Playoff Semifinals, where they’ll face the Ohio State Buckeyes in the Cotton Bowl. The Longhorns will need every bit of Golden’s playmaking ability, Ewers’ arm, and their defense’s resolve if they hope to advance to the National Championship.

For now, though, Texas can savor this hard-fought victory. And as for Matthew Golden? His performance in this high-stakes showdown proved he's a player who can thrive when the lights are brightest. With more challenges ahead, Longhorn fans can be sure that Golden will be a key factor in their team’s playoff run.

Game Notes:

• Quinn Ewers: 322 yards, 3 TDs

• Matthew Golden: 7 receptions, 149 yards, 1 TD, 1 2-point conversion

• Arizona State: Cam Skattebo threw for 42-yard TD, ran for 1 TD

• Bert Auburn: Missed 48-yard FG (1:39 left in regulation), hit 38-yard attempt off upright