Rapid Reaction: TCU holds off Michigan to win wild College Football Playoff semifinal
By Adam Spencer
Published:
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:
https://twitter.com/FTBeard7/status/1609298988972507136
On Michigan’s ensuing possession, Bud Clark intercepted a JJ McCarthy pass and returned it 41 yards for a TCU touchdown:
https://twitter.com/FTBeard7/status/1609300775469211648
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:
https://twitter.com/FTBeard7/status/1609309264270745600
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:
https://twitter.com/FTBeard7/status/1609336847205040128
TCU’s running attack had a great performance, led by Emari Demercado who was filling in after an injury to Kendre Miller:
https://twitter.com/FTBeard7/status/1609337726498922497
JJ McCarthy and the Wolverines simply wouldn’t go away, though:
https://twitter.com/FTBeard7/status/1609338950883373057
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:
https://twitter.com/FTBeard7/status/1609349964290994176
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!
Adam is a daily fantasy sports (DFS) and sports betting expert. A 2012 graduate of the University of Missouri, Adam now covers all 16 SEC football teams. He is the director of DFS, evergreen and newsletter content across all Saturday Football brands.
