Texas Mascot Bevo to Be at CFP Semifinal vs. Ohio State After Peach Bowl Ban

The University of Texas announced Friday that its live mascot, Bevo, will be in attendance for the College Football Playoff semifinal game against Ohio State at the Cotton Bowl on Jan. 10.

Bevo, who is a type of cattle called a Texas longhorn, was not permitted to be on the sidelines for Wednesday's Peach Bowl against Arizona State at Mercedes Benz-Stadium in Atlanta.

The Peach Bowl released a statement in advance of the game, noting that there was "not enough room" for Bevo on the sidelines, and that the safety of Bevo, the players and everyone else involved with the game was being prioritized.

The original Bevo made his debut at a Texas football game on Thanksgiving Day in 1916, and the mascot has been a staple ever since.

Texas' current mascot is Bevo XV, who has served in his role since 2016.

Despite blowing a 16-point lead in the fourth quarter, Texas survived in the Peach Bowl, beating Arizona State 39-31 in double overtime to advance to the CFP semis.

Conversely, Ohio State was in firm control from start to finish when it beat No. 1-seeded and previously undefeated Oregon 41-21 in the Rose Bowl to set up a massive clash with the Longhorns in the Cotton Bowl.

The Cotton Bowl will take place at the Dallas Cowboys' AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, and the steps have apparently been taken to safely accommodate Bevo's presence.

Whoever wins the Cotton Bowl meeting between a pair of legendary college football programs will move on to the College Football Playoff National Championship Game on Jan. 20.

There, either Texas or Ohio State will face the winner of the Jan. 9 Orange Bowl between Notre Dame and Penn State.