In the recent Peach Bowl, the Texas Longhorns narrowly defeated the Arizona State Sun Devils 39-31 in double overtime. Despite the victory, Texas’s offensive struggles on first down were evident and nearly cost them the game.
Throughout the matchup, Texas managed only 17 first downs compared to Arizona State’s 28. The Longhorns’ rushing attack was particularly ineffective, averaging just 1.8 yards per carry, which often left them in challenging second and third-down situations. This inefficiency on early downs hindered their ability to sustain drives and control the game’s tempo.
Quarterback Quinn Ewers faced significant pressure, being sacked multiple times on first down. These setbacks contributed to Texas averaging only 1.3 yards per rushing attempt after contact, further emphasizing their struggles to establish a consistent ground game.
Arizona State capitalized on Texas’s first-down woes, mounting a comeback that erased a 24-8 deficit to force overtime. The Sun Devils’ offense, led by running back Cam Skattebo’s 143 rushing yards, exploited the Longhorns’ inability to control possession, dominating time of possession with 37:54 compared to Texas’s 22:06.
While Texas ultimately secured the win, their first-down inefficiencies highlight an area requiring attention as they prepare for their upcoming Cotton Bowl semifinal against Ohio State. Improving early-down success will be crucial for the Longhorns to enhance offensive rhythm, sustain drives, and reduce pressure on Ewers. Addressing these issues could be pivotal in their pursuit of a national championship.
For a more in-depth analysis of Texas’s first-down performance and its implications for their offensive strategy, you can refer to the detailed breakdown provided by 247Sports.