Texas vs. Clemson Tigers CFP Live In-Game Updates: Longhorns Get Goal-Line Stop

The Texas Longhorns are hosting the Clemson Tigers in the first round of the College Football Playoff.

Dec 21, 2024; Austin, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns running back Jaydon Blue (23) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Clemson Tigers during the first half of the CFP National playoff first round at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Imagesn Images / Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

AUSTIN -- The Texas Longhorns are gearing up for their first-ever home game in the College Football Playoff on Saturday against the Clemson Tigers.

No. 5 Texas and No. 12 Clemson will play for the right to advance to the quarterfinals to face Arizona State on New Year's Day at the Peach Bowl in Atlanta. This marks the first meeting all-time between the two orange programs.

Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian said that there's a "bonus" with being able to play in the first round instead of getting a bye.

"This is one of the bonuses of playing in the first round, but yet having a home game, so we get another opportunity at DKR," he said. "School is just going to be wrapping up, looking forward to a great environment. Like I said yesterday, appreciate all of Longhorn nation their support in Atlanta yesterday, but we're going to need 105,000 strong a week from Saturday, 3 o'clock against Clemson, inaugural College Football Playoff game. And in round one, that's the beauty of this new format that you get a home game. And so we're looking forward to seeing everybody there as we build towards it and appreciate all that they do to support us."

He also delivered some major praise for Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik.

"Big fan of Cade," Sarkisian said. "We recruited him hard. Obviously a local kid. I thought he really possesses a great deal of competitive spirit, and you can see that when he was in high school at Weslake. He's a winner. He's going to do what it takes."

Texas and Clemson will kick off from DKR at 3 p.m. CT. The game will be broadcast live on TNT

Follow along below for live updates and highlights of the game:

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FIRST QUARTER

Clemson will receive the opening kick off.

The Clemson Tigers opened up the game with a steady drive, marching the ball all the way down the field for a touchdown to take an early 7-0 lead.

Change of possession

Texas marches the ball right down the field, answering the Clemson score with a touchdown of their own on a Quintrevion Wisner rushing score. We now have a tie game at 7-7.

Change of possession

Dec 21, 2024; Austin, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns running back Quintrevion Wisner (26) runs for a first down against the Clemson Tigers in the first quarter of the CFP National Playoff first round game at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images / Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

SECOND QUARTER

Texas was able to hold Clemson to a short drive, forcing a punt and taking over at their own 35.

Change of possession

Following the punt, Texas was on the move again offensively, running the ball right at Clemson and scoring off of a 38-yard Jaydon Blue touchdown run. Horns lead 14-7.

Change of possession

Clemson started out their next drive with a huge run by Adam Randall, setting themselves up at the Texas 40. After Texas knocked them back to third and long with an Ethan Burke sack, the Tigers were forced to punt.

Change of possession

The Longhorns once again put together an extremely dominant offensive drive, taking a 21-7 lead on a Wisner touchdown run. Play of the drive was a long completion from Ewers to Golden on a post route, putting Texas in Clemson Territory. Wisner took it from there, extending the Texas lead.

Change of possession

The next drive was a quick one for Clemson, with Collin Simmons interception Cade Klubnik on third down.

Change of possession

Texas was unable to make anything of the pick, turning it over on downs. Clemson takes over.

Change of possession

Texas forces a three and out on the next Tigers drive.

Change of possession

The Longhorns turn it over on a Quinn Ewers pick. The ball bounced right off DeAndre Moore's hands and into the arms of a Clemson defender.

Change of possession

The Texas defense is able to hold the Tigers to a field goal after the pick, making the score 21-10.

Change of possession

The Longhorns had 1:33 to work with on their next drive, and took full advantage of it, with Quinn Ewers guiding the Horns into scoring position with both his arm and his legs. The drive was capped off with a Ewers to Gunnar Helm touchdown pass, giving Texas a 28-10 lead.

Change of possession

Dec 21, 2024; Austin, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns running back Jaydon Blue (23) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Clemson Tigers during the first half of the CFP National playoff first round at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Imagesn Images / Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

HALFTIME

THIRD QUARTER

Texas comes out of the gates hot in the second half, moving the ball into Clemson territory quickly. However, the drive stalls at the two, and Texas settles for the FG. 31-10 Horns.

Change of possession

The Longhorns force Cade Klubnik and the Tigers into a long third down, followed by a near pick from Andrew Mukuba. Clemson punts, and Texas takes over at the Tigers' 22 yard line.

Change of possession

Three and out for the Longhorns.

Change of possession

Clemson puts together a drive and gets back into the game with a Klubnik touchdown pass. The score is now 31-17 Texas.

Change of possession

Texas had the ball in Clemson territory, but the drive stalls and the Horns turn it over on downs. Tigers take over at their own 36.

Change of possession

Dec 21, 2024; Austin, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns quarterback Quinn Ewers (3) runs the ball in the second quarter against the Clemson Tigers in the first round of the College Football Playoffs at Darrell K Royal Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sara Diggins-Imagn Images / Sara Diggins-USA Today Network via Imagn Images

FOURTH QUARTER

The Tigers move the ball down the field with relative ease, scoring on fourth down and short to cut the Texas lead to seven points.

change of possession

TOUCHDOWN TEXAS: After Clemson had gained all momentum, Blue broke free for a 77-yard touchdown,

Texas 38, Clemson 24

change of possession

The Tigers got down to the Texas one-yard line but were stopped short on 4th and goal, giving the ball back to the Longhorns.

change of possession

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