The Texas Longhorns are one step closer to realizing their national championship dreams, once again proving why they boast one of the top defensive units in college football.
A big reason for Texas’ monumental 38-24 first-round win over Clemson was a tenacious Longhorns defense that hounded their ACC opponent all evening. By the time the clock hit triple zeroes, Texas had picked off Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik in the second quarter and made a crucial goal-line stand on 4th-and-goal when Clemson was threatening to make it a one-possession game late in the contest.
To take things a step further, former walk-on defensive back Michael Taffee, an old friend of Klubnik, left his mark late in the fourth quarter with a HUGE hit on Clemson wide receiver T.J. Moore.
On 4th-and-6, with just under two minutes to play in regulation, Taffee drove his shoulder into Moore, separating him from the football. The bone-crushing hit sealed Clemson’s fate, as the Tigers turned the ball over on downs and never got it back.