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TCU Horned Frogs

Rapid Reaction: TCU holds off Michigan to win wild College Football Playoff semifinal

Adam Spencer

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:

Some of the drives at the end of the third quarter and early in the fourth quarter took less than a minute:

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 Spencer

Adam is a daily fantasy sports (DFS) and sports betting expert. A 2012 graduate of the University of Missouri, Adam now covers all 14 SEC football teams. He is the director of DFS, evergreen and newsletter content across all Saturday Football brands.

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