Today’s final score and highlights from the College Football Playoffs between Texas and Clemson

Even better for the local supporters? In order to go to the CFP quarterfinals against Arizona State on January 1 in Atlanta, the Longhorns defeated Clemson at Royal-Memorial Stadium in the first round.

The victor advances to the national semifinals, where they will face Ohio State, Tennessee, or Oregon.

But first, the game on Saturday. After giving up the opening goal, Texas controlled the game’s middle. In the fourth quarter, Clemson managed to score 14 points, but the Longhorns’ fierce defense put an end to it.

The run game gained 292 yards on the ground, and Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers completed 17 of 24 passes for 202 yards, a touchdown, and an interception.

Texas Takeaways: Longhorns go to the Peach Bowl thanks to a strong defense and running game.

For  highlights, see below.

Texas vs Clemson score updates

Final: Texas 38, Clemson 24

Jaydon Blue ran for 146 yards and two touchdowns, Quintrevion Wisner added another 110 yards on the ground for Texas, and the Longhorn defense made just enough plays to slow down Austin native and Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik in the first-round CFP win. Up next? Arizona State in Atlanta.

7:24 4Q: Texas 38, Clemson 24

A goal-line stand for Texas, and that could prove the difference in the game. Big Bill Norton stuffs Keith Adams Jr. on a fourth-and-goal from the 1-yard line, and the Longhorns are sensing the second round.

10:48 4Q: Texas 38, Clemson 24

Jaydon Blue and Texas don’t take much time in answering the Clemson score. Blue explodes for his second touchdown run of the game, and this one goes 78 yards. When Blue gets in the open field, he won’t get caught. Credit left guard Cole Hutson for a nice block to spring Blue.

11:43 4Q: Clemson 24, Texas 31
Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik uses his feet to gain time on a fourth-and-six from the Texas 7-yard line before throwing a dart to TJ Moore for a score. In this game, the Tigers have managed to stay in the game and are currently within a point of tying it. You can feel the nerves in this stadium.

Final 3Q: Clemson 17, Texas 31
On a fourth-and-two at the Clemson 35-yard line, Texas attempted the first down, but Quinn Ewers’ pass went over Matthew Golden’s head and the ball struck the ground. There is still some life left in Clemson going into the fourth quarter.

3:29 3Q: Clemson 17, Texas 31
It still has some fight left, as Clemson demonstrates. Jarvis Green gets found on a wheel rouite by quarterback Cade Klubnik out of the backfield for a 16-yard touchdown pass. On that one, the Texas defense was duped by the Tigers.

4:34 3Q: Clemson 10, Texas 31
Texas just had their first 3-and-out and punt of the game. Clemson’s offensive yardage is 196, while the Longhorns’ is 345.

8:10 3Q: Clemson 10, Texas 31
Texas bogs down inside the Clemson 10-yard line after marching down the field on their first possession. Bert Auburn makes a field goal from 22 yards out. By the way, Steve Sarkisian doesn’t appear to be pleased with his three-point haul.

Texas 28, Clemson 10 at halftime
What’s good for Texas? With 289 offensive yards, the offense is booming. The negative? Due to injuries, right tackle Cam Williams and center Jake Majors have exited the game. The depth of the team will be put to the test right away. Trevor Goosby has taken over at right tackle, Cole Hutson has moved to left guard, and left guard Hayden Conner has moved to center.

Texas 28, Clemson 10 in 2Q
Quinn Ewers scores a 19-yard touchdown after hitting a wide-open Gunnar Helm. Texas must be pleased with the lead and the team’s performance, but offensive line problems are now a serious worry. Center Jake Majors returned to the locker room for additional testing, while right tackle Cam Williams returned for a single play but was forced to depart. After suffering a ban, running back Quintrevion Wisner is back in action.

1:43 2Q: Clemson 10, Texas 21
The Texas defense confines the Tigers to a 32-yard field goal by Nolan Hauser following the pick by RJ Mickens of Clemson, who was Quinn Ewers’ teammate at Southlake Carroll High School, incidentally.

2:40 2Q: Clemson 21, Texas 7.
Texas’s situation continues to deteriorate. A pass bounces off DeAndre Moore Jr.’s hands, and Quinn Ewers is picked off. The pick-six is negated by an illegal blindside block, but it is returned for a score. Jake Majors, a center for Texas, had to be assisted off the field after taking an illegal hit. Majors absorbed the hard impact and his head bounced off the turf, which suggests that he may have suffered a brain injury.

3:19 2Q: Clemson 7, Texas 21
After Quintrevion Wisner lost six yards on a one-man screen throw, two Texas players are down. Before Wisner hobbles away, he and right tackle Cam Williams remain down for some time. Williams needs assistance leaving the field because he appears to have rolled up on his right leg. Right tackle Trevor Goosby is currently in.

Texas 21, Clemson 7 at 4:09 2Q
On fourth-and-one, Sammy Brown tackles Jaydon Blue for a 1-yard loss, setting up a huge play at the Clemson defense’s own 18-yard line. The Tigers made it happen because they needed something positive to happen.

5:54 2Q: Clemson 7, Texas 21
Texas is positioned well inside Clemson territory after Barryn Sorrell bats a throw into the air and edge Colin Simmons intercepts it. The Tigers are about to lose this game.

7:26 2Q: Clemson 7, Texas 21
Things are going well in Texas at the moment. The Longhorns have 122 yards on the ground at an average of 7.6 yards per carry after Quintrevion Wisner tears through the Clemson defense for a 16-yard touchdown run. Even some Chap-on-Chap crime occurred when Texas edge Ethan Burke fired Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik, who had previously been a teammate at Austin’s Westlake High School.

12:49 2Q: Clemson 7, Texas 14.
They do punt, yes. Indeed, Texas scores on the ground once more. On a 38-yard score run, Jaydon Blue displays his game-changing speed as he bursts along the sidelines. Texas has already rushed for 92 yards.

Final 1Q: Texas 7, Clemson 7
With Clemson facing a fourth-and-one at the Tigers’ 34-yard line, head coach Dabo Swinney must make a decision quickly. Could Swinney bet so early? It appears to be a wager.

1Q at 2:04: Texas 7, Clemson 7.
Quinn Ewers, quarterback for Texas, provides a prompt response. Quintrevion Wisner drives in from the 3-yard line as the Longhorns march 75 yards in 12 plays. When Klubnik’s Westlake High School squad defeated Ewers and Southlake Carroll 52-34 in a state championship game in January 2021, Ewers went 5-for-5 for 48 yards on the drive, and the quarterbacks are having a great time.

8:14 1Q: Texas 0, Clemson 7.
The Westlake alumnus quarterback Cade Klubnik leads the Tigers on an outstanding first drive that culminates in a 22-yard touchdown throw from Klubnik to Antonio Williams. Although play appeared to be clean, Texas coaches wanted an offensive pass interference call on the crossing route that left Williams wide open. During that drive, Klubnik picked up one first down with his legs and went 6 of 7 for 60 yards.