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Arizona State could test tough goal-line defense of Texas

AP photo by Eric Gay / Texas defensive lineman Alfred Collins (95) celebrates after the Longhorns made a stop during the second half of a home game against Clemson on Saturday in the first round of the College Football Playoff.
AP photo by Eric Gay / Texas defensive lineman Alfred Collins (95) celebrates after the Longhorns made a stop during the second half of a home game against Clemson on Saturday in the first round of the College Football Playoff. AP photo by Eric Gay / Texas defensive lineman Alfred Collins (95) celebrates after the Longhorns made a stop during the second half of a home game against Clemson on Saturday in the first round of the College Football Playoff.

By JIM VERTUNO / The Associated Press 4 min read

AUSTIN, Texas — The defense for the University of Texas seems to have built a big burnt orange wall at the goal line.

Late-game goal-line stands have helped keep the program moving toward a possible national championship. The latest happened Saturday night in the fifth-seeded Longhorns’ 34-28 home win over No. 12 seed Clemson in the first round of the College Football Playoff.

“We’ve got big people, and they know how to play a physical brand of football,” Texas coach Steve Sarkisian said. “When we get challenged like that … I think that’s part of our identity.”

So here comes Cam Skattebo, Arizona State’s 5-foot-11, 215-pound All-American wrecking ball of a running back to try to knock it down.

The weekend win over Clemson (10-4) sent the Longhorns (12-2) into a matchup with the fourth-seeded Sun Devils (11-2) in the Peach Bowl quarterfinal on New Year’s Day at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium.