Clemson wide receiver Antonio Williams might be regretting his early-game antics after Saturday’s College Football Playoff showdown against Texas. Following an opening-drive touchdown, Williams mocked the Longhorns’ crowd with a bold “Night Night” celebration-but by the final whistle, it was Texas who had the last laugh, advancing to face Arizona State in the next round of the CFP.
The game couldn’t have started better for Clemson. The Tigers orchestrated a flawless 75-yard drive in just under seven minutes, capped by Williams crossing the goal line. The sophomore wide receiver turned to the Texas student section and mimicked falling asleep, a confident move for a team that entered the game as 9.5-point underdogs.
Texas Longhorns’ Quinn Ewers faced Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik in a state championship shootout and lost
However, Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers quickly made it clear that the Longhorns weren’t intimidated. Ewers responded with precision and composure, leading Texas to a commanding 28-10 halftime lead. The Clemson defense struggled to contain Ewers, who kept his team in control throughout the game with key completions and a dominant offensive presence.
The Tigers tried to tighten the gap but failed
Although the Tigers mounted a brief second-half comeback attempt, it was too little too late. Texas secured a decisive 38-24 victory, leaving Clemson to reflect on what went wrong. For Williams, his premature celebration became a talking point, with fans and commentators pointing out the irony as Texas effectively “put Clemson to sleep” in the second half.
The win propels the Longhorns into the next round of the College Football Playoff, where they will face Arizona State. Ewers’ performance continues to solidify his reputation as one of the sport’s top quarterbacks, and Texas will look to carry this momentum into the next matchup.
For Clemson, Saturday’s loss serves as a painful reminder: in football, celebrations are best saved for when the game is truly in hand. And for Texas, it’s another step closer to a national championship.