Last updated Dec. 21, 2024 at 5:10 p.m. CT
Texas looked good in the first half of their first College Football Playoffs. As the Longhorns hosted the Clemson Tigers, Texas built up a 21-7 lead until disaster started to unfold in the final three minutes of the half.
In a broken play, quarterback Quinn Ewers scrambled to find anyone on the field to shove the ball out to. He found running back Quintrevion Wisner on a slant but the Longhorn couldn't find any extra yardage, losing six yards, as offensive lineman Cameron Williams tried to help him stay upright.
The next play, with Williams and Wisner sidelined, Ewers' next pass attempt was tipped and picked off by the Tigers. The next Longhorn down was center Jake Majors, a vital piece of Texas' offensive line.
Wisner, Williams, and Majors all walked off the field under their own power for the most part but Wisner looked extremely shaken up and Williams could barely put weight on his left knee as he limped off the field.
While Clemson's interception, which was originally called a pick-six, was called back due to an illegal blindside block, the Tigers had the ball again and were suddenly back in the win-or-go-home game.
Despite Texas' 14-point lead over Clemson, Texas fans weren't exactly over the moon with head coach Steve Sarkisian's play calling in the first half. The lead easily could have been 24-7 but Sarkisian opted to go for it on fourth-and-short during the second quarter which resulted in a turnover on downs.
Sure, Texas had a great first half at the end of the day, it was the best Ewers had looked in weeks, if not months. However, the possibility of losing Majors, Williams, and Wisner could spell disaster for the Longhorns' offense.
Running back Quintrevion Wisner returned to the game for the Texas offense in the second half. Center Jake Majors was seen on the sidelines in his uniform but without his helmet. Right tackle Cameron Williams had yet to return.