Sun Devils find out early why they're underdogs vs. Longhorns in Peach Bowl

Arizona State has been an underdog several times during its surprising run to the College Football Playoff, but the Sun Devils haven't looked the part until now.

Texas (12-2) overwhelmed ASU early in every aspect in the opening half of the Peach Bowl on Wednesday — making big plays on offense, defense and special teams — to take a 17-3 lead with about nine minutes left in the second quarter.

The Longhorns showed off their quick-strike offense and suffocating defense, twice stopping the Sun Devils on fourth down in the opening half. Texas also was terrific on special teams, returning a punt 75 yards for a touchdown and blocking an Arizona State field goal attempt just before halftime.

That failed field goal attempt was set up by a gutsy call from ASU coach Kenny Dillingham, who dialed up a fake punt on fourth and 9 at the Sun Devils' own 21-yard line.

Texas' stellar run defense limited Cam Scattebo to 45 yards on 13 carries (3.5 yards per carry), and the Sun Devils relied heavily on the passing and scrambling ability of redshirt freshman quarterback Sam Leavitt in the first half.

Leavitt completed 15 of 27 passes for 99 yards, though the Sun Devils' biggest offensive play came on the fake punt — a 32-yard pass from punter Kanyon Floyd to defensive lineman Blazen Lono-Wong.

The Sun Devils (11-2) put points on the board on the game's opening drive — a 39-yard-field goal from Carston Kieffer — thanks in part to a pair of Texas penalties.

ASU punted on fourth and 4 from its own 31-yard line before a 5-yard running into the punter penalty extended the drive. Later, on first down from Texas' 43-yard line, Leavitt was stopped for no gain but was brought down by the facemask, putting the Sun Devils in field goal range.

Then things went sideway for the Sun Devils.

Texas needed just 45 seconds and two plays to go 77 yards and take a 7-3 lead. Longhorns quarterback Quinn Ewers found receiver Matthew Golden wide open for a 54-yard gain, then hit DeAndre Moore Jr. for a 23-yard touchdown.

A disappointing three-and-out on ASU's next possession turned disastrous when Texas' Silas Bolden broke free for a 75-yard punt return touchdown, extending the Longhorns' lead to 14-3 midway through the first quarter.

The Sun Devils overcame the shaky start defensively to limit the Longhorns to just three points for the remainder of the first half.

ASU dominated time of possession, keeping its offense on the field for more than 20 minutes and twice as much as Texas.

The main difference between the teams in the first half was their respective play on special teams. The Sun Devils must cut down on the special teams miscues and find some success in their red zone offense if they hope to extend their season.