Rapid Reaction: TCU holds off Michigan to win wild College Football Playoff semifinal
TCU has made a habit out of coming from behind to win this year. But on Saturday against No. 2 Michigan in the Fiesta Bowl, the Horned Frogs did something different.
After stopping a head-scratching Philly Special attempt from Michigan on the game’s opening possession, the Horned Frogs jumped out to a 14-0 lead through 1 quarter of play.
Here was the Michigan goal line play that failed miserably:
TCU STOPS MICHIGAN ON 4TH & GOAL FROM THE 2 YARD LINE!!!! FIESTA BOWL IS OFF TO AN ELECTRIC START! pic.twitter.com/yu3wLsxaKB
— ?????? @???????? (@FTBeard7) December 31, 2022
On Michigan’s ensuing possession, Bud Clark intercepted a JJ McCarthy pass and returned it 41 yards for a TCU touchdown:
?TCU PICK SIX!!!!? Bud Clark picks off JJ McCarthy and returns it for the 41 yard TD! #TCU #FiestaBowl pic.twitter.com/PGaQUp6fAi
— ?????? @???????? (@FTBeard7) December 31, 2022
QB Max Duggan scored on a keeper to extend TCU’s lead to 14-0 later in the quarter.
The second quarter was slower, but the Horned Frogs managed to score again and take a 21-6 lead into halftime:
MICHIGAN FUMBLES AT THE 1 YARD LINE, TCU RECOVERS!!! pic.twitter.com/ro8Hdjwr2g
— ?????? @???????? (@FTBeard7) December 31, 2022
That’s when the Fiesta Bowl went off the rails, though. The third quarter was wild. Before anyone could catch their breath, the score was 41-30 at the end of the third:
Michigan's scoring drive:
– JJ McCarthy 39 yard run
– JJ McCarthy 20 yard TD run
– TCU stops Michigan's 2 point attempt#FiestaBowl pic.twitter.com/k8aLyAYmvm— ?????? @???????? (@FTBeard7) December 31, 2022
TCU’s running attack had a great performance, led by Emari Demercado who was filling in after an injury to Kendre Miller:
TCU!! Emari Demercado 69 yard run, next play Max Duggan gets in for the 1 yard TD!! ? #FiestaBowl pic.twitter.com/kG3fyJf51z
— ?????? @???????? (@FTBeard7) December 31, 2022
JJ McCarthy and the Wolverines simply wouldn’t go away, though:
Now Michigan's in for the TD! pic.twitter.com/mDHfpQ5jrP
— ?????? @???????? (@FTBeard7) January 1, 2023
The third quarter set a College Football Playoff record with 44 points scored:
44 points scored in the third quarter ? pic.twitter.com/rCCP6Vq9SK
— PFF (@PFF) January 1, 2023
Some of the drives at the end of the third quarter and early in the fourth quarter took less than a minute:
The last 4 scoring drives at the Fiesta Bowl have been:
-58 seconds (Michigan)
-52 seconds (TCU)
-46 seconds (Michigan)
-47 seconds (Michigan)— David Brandt (@davidbrandtAP) January 1, 2023
Michigan cut the lead to 51-45 late in the fourth quarter and made TCU fans nervous with this touchdown:
JJ McCarthy to Roman Wilson for the 5 yard TD! #Michigan #FiestaBowl pic.twitter.com/AywAi3vXXc
— ?????? @???????? (@FTBeard7) January 1, 2023
Ultimately, though, the Horned Frogs were able to hold off the Wolverines, advancing to meet the winner of the Georgia-Ohio State Peach Bowl in the national title game in Los Angeles on Jan. 9.
What a crazy way to end the 2022 year for both teams!
Surprised at the outcome.
First that Michigan gave up 50 points. Doesn’t happen often.
Second that TCU did it. Sounds like the Heisman committee may have chosen wisely.
I guess The Big Game(tm) rematch won’t be happening this year.
I picked TCU to win, so I wasn’t surprised at all. Michigan always underachieves outside the B1G. TCU is a tough team with a gutty QB, two NFL cornerbacks, and a ton of speed. Congrats on their amazing season.
But they’ll be a greasy stain on the sidewalk when Georgia gets done curb-stomping them. I hate it, but that’s just the way it is.
I gotta believe that UM may have been looking beyond TCU to the Natty. Give TCU credit. They really wanted this game.
Horny Toads rock!
Big 10 is pitiful. Way to go TCU! Finish it off Georgia.
How was that not targeting? Any shred of credibility that the NCAA has left might have just gone out the window. They are now at the level of professional boxing and Don King.
Were those SEC refs?
There were plenty of bad calls to go around. Really tired of hearing about the goal line catch that was reversed. A lot of articles I’ve read want to insinuate that cost Mich the game. Oh puleeze…TCU may have prevented other Mich scores had the officials decided to call some holding penalties. Same with the OH ST game. All teams in all games had bad calls.
Yes it was SEC refs. The same crew that did the Alabama-Tennessee game where Alabama broke a 60 year old team record for penalties. So many bad calls in this game both against TCU and Michigan. Welcome to SEC officiating.
I’m no prognosticator by any stretch, but told a co-worker who’s a Michigan grad not to sleep on TCU when he asked about them.
They might make it interesting against Georgia in the finals.
TCU may do more than just make it interesting against GA. TCU is in the Title game and people are still sleeping on them.
100% agree.
Soooo many mistakes by The Wolverines, and their supposedly best in the country oline exposed again. Congrats to TCU and Coach Dykes. Taking his team to the National Title game in year 1!
Unlike billy !!!!!!
Way to coach billy
Wrong thread Bonehead
Soooo many mistakes by The Wolverines?
That is Harbaugh at his usual.
TCU!!!!!
Man, what an awesome story
Go frogs! Great game by both sides absolute garbage officiating
Impressive Froggys – exposed the pretentious Big (euphemistically speaking ) 10. Georgia will finish them off in a couple of hours.
Sonny Dykes is a straight legend. To go from SMU to TCU and it the first year go to the CFP championship while hanging 50 on UM to get there. Legend. Bottom line.
Billy couldn’t hang a shirt on a clothes line let alone hang 50 points on anyone
I guess you didn’t watch the Eastern Washington game?
TCU is a well coached team by Sonny Dykes. Max Duggan is a good player. What a great story for TCU.
Unlike Florida who hires Mr Lets See How Many We Can Lose Billy
Take a break. Nothing here is about Florida.
So gagator, were you wanting the Gators to hire Sonny?
Just more proof the Big 10 (er, 12) was overrated and in no way, shape or form did they deserve two teams in the CFP. The CFP committee did not even follow their own guidelines in selecting the ‘best’ four teams.
Way to blow it again Blue.
Why so many excuses for Michigan? The whole “so many mistakes by Michigan” stuff is bs. Let’s give TCU the credit they deserve. They were the more physical team from start to finish. They forced Michigan to make mistakes and were hosed on any number of calls and no calls.
Way to go TCU!
I hate to defend Michigan but you have to keep that in context because the eye test says Michigan was the more talented team that gave away this game. Take away the two pick-sixes Michigan gave away 10 points, one a touchdown that should have stood. Refs were bad all night but that no doubt was the most consequential call of the night
Also an obvious incomplete pass that wasn’t reviewed and allowed a drive time continue for a score for a Michigan. And then the phantom roughing the passer call on 3rd down that let yet another drive continue. 2 tipped passes that were good throws from Duggan turned into interceptions. It went both ways for sure.
The TD that was negated, followed by the fumble played a HUGE part in the outcome. It was an incredible momentum shift that took UM out of the game in the 1st half.
I’m not a UM apologist, and very far from it … but to suggest the refs were biased and favored UM is fake news nonsense. Just stop.
My friends are all Michigan fans and I really wanted them to win, but even they were saying Michigan was fortunate on a lot of calls. They just can’t perform in big games. 6 straight postseason losses.
I was actually rooting for them(I’m not an OSU homer but more of a college football fan) but I really don’t think those two teams have the talent to be the 4 best teams. They wouldn’t make the semis in an expanded playoff. I think Georgia wins comfortably
I agree that touchdown should have stood, but it never should have reached that point. The interception that set up that drive should not have stood because of a no-call pass interference. Go back and watch it. The officials were garbage. You’d have to unwind numerous bad calls that favored both Michigan and TCU at various points. The roughing call against TCU was total garbage.
Incredible game. Fun to watch. Congrats to the Frogs.
Great Game. I am always happy when Michigan loses. Please note that Blue does not show up for bowl games. They have lost 6 in a row. I guess that Big 10 schedule against Indiana, Purdue, and Illinois has them all tuckered out. So fun to see a new team in the Championship.
That was a hell of an entertaining game. And it was great to see TCU pull it off.
Congrats to the CFP Committee for eliminating the Little10 from a chance at a Natty.
(sarcasm button on)
Good 1. No way Little 10 deserved 2 teams in the Cfp.
This was an exciting game to watch, congratulations TCU! Should be a good game with Georgia.
Do they really pay that UM OC ? My 5 yr old could have called most of those ancient plays. And the review ref, another Bozo that can’t handle his job. Congrats to TCU.
The Big10 is a laughable two team conference. Michigan’s toughest regular season opponent …. was Illinois. Seriously, read that again. Anyone can put up great looking stats when you’re playing the Little Sisters of the Poor. Michigan was SO overrated as the supposed #2 team in the country. They didn’t belong in the final four – Alabama would have been a better participant. If they played anyone, Michigan would have had it handed to them weeks ago. I’m sick of these butt kissing “announcers” that would rather emphasize the point differential teams have rather than accurately identify that they’ve PLAYED NO ONE.