The Texas Longhorns will face the Washington Huskies in the College Football Playoff semifinals on January 1. As we count down the days, here’s a look back at the top 20 moments.
Jerrin Thompson’s interception against Iowa State set up a crucial fourth-quarter touchdown.
Texas appeared to be sleepwalking through its game against Iowa State, which dominated the first half. The Cyclones then scored late in the third quarter to make it 15-9 (after a blocked PAT/Austin Jordan two-point return by T’Vondre Sweat).
With only a one-point lead, the Longhorns went three-and-out, handing the ball back to the Cyclones with less than two minutes remaining in the third quarter. The previous drive, Iowa State quarterback Rocco Becht burned the Longhorns on chunk passing plays to score the Cyclones’ first touchdown.
Jerrin Thompson took advantage of his knowledge. He jumped a route to intercept Becht’s first pass near the end of the third quarter, giving the Longhorns the ball on the Cyclone 43.
QB Quinn Ewers then started the fourth quarter with a 31-yard touchdown pass to tight end Gunnar Helm, and a 2-point conversion increased the Longhorns’ lead to 14 before the Longhorns won 26-16.
“We were in cover-three zone coverage and basically just the quarterback stared down the receiver…” Thompson told reporters. “I just broke on the ball based on instincts.” It was simple because the quarterback focused on the receiver.
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