TCU pulls off largest upset in CFP history with win over Michigan in Fiesta Bowl

No. 3 TCU entered Saturday’s Fiesta Bowl at eight-point underdogs – they by no means trailed within the sport.

The Horned Frogs are Nationwide Championship sure after taking down No. 2 Michigan, 51-45.

It was Michigan’s first lack of the season, and TCU is now the primary Large 12 staff to win a School Soccer Playoff sport.

Their victory can also be the most important upset in CFP historical past, surpassing the 2014 semifinal when No. 4 Ohio State beat No. 1 Alabama as seven-point canine.

Michigan failed twice in goal-to-go alternatives. 

The primary play from scrimmage was 54-yard run by Donovan Edwards to get the Wolverines in putting distance. Nonetheless, a Philly Particular gone mistaken on 4th and objective resulted in a turnover on downs. TCU’s first rating was a Bud Clark decide six, after which Max Duggan ran one in to take a 14-0 lead within the first quarter.

Shortly after getting on the board with a area objective, Michigan had 1st and objective from the one, however Kalel Mullings misplaced a fumble, and it was a touchback for TCU, who remained up 11. After each groups exchanged punts, Duggan led a 10-play, 83-yard landing drive to place TCU up 21-3 with 4:56 to go within the half, however Jake Moody did drill a 59-yard area objective on the finish of the half to chop the deficit to fifteen factors.

The third quarter, although, was an incredible back-and-forth. TCU punted on their first drive of the second half, and though Michigan acquired contained in the 10-yard line rapidly, the Frogs held them to a area objective. On their subsequent drive, Duggan threw a decide, and three performs later, the Wolverines scored on a flea flicker to make it 21-16. TCU made fast amends, going 75 yards in simply two minutes and taking a 28-16 lead after Emari Demercado’s one-yard rating. On a third and three, McCarthy threw his second pick-six of the day – this time, it was Dee Winters. 

Bud Clark #26 of the TCU Horned Frogs celebrates after returning an interception for a landing through the first quarter towards the Michigan Wolverines within the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium on December 31, 2022, in Glendale, Arizona.
(Christian Petersen/Getty Pictures)

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After McCarthy answered with a speeding landing, the Frogs scored once more simply 58 seconds later, taking a 41-22 lead with 49 seconds left within the third quarter – however Michigan discovered the tip zone earlier than the tip of the body, went for 2, and trailed 41-30 by way of three.

In all, there have been 44 factors scored within the third quarter – 24 by the Wolverines, and 20 by TCU. However a wild quarter wanted another wild play – TCU fumbled on the ultimate play of the interval, and it was recovered by Michigan on the TCU 27. As soon as once more, every time Michigan appeared useless, they had been revived.

It took simply two performs for Michigan to attain, as Wilson took an end-around into the tip zone. The following two-point conversion was good, and it was a 41-38 sport. Butin a sport of fast scores Duggan dumped one off to Quentin Johnson who took it 76 yards for a landing, and TCU was up 10 with 13:07 to go. After forcing a three-and-out, Derius Davis returned the punt to the Wolverine 16. TCU was held to a area objective and prolonged their result in, 51-38.

Michigan wasn’t useless but, as Wilson scored one other landing with 3:18 to go, and made it a six-point sport. Michigan pressured a TCU punt and had another probability, needing to go 75 yards in 52 seconds, however they had been caught of their tracks, and TCU held on to the victory.

Duggan accomplished 14 of his 29 passes for 225 yards and two scores whereas additionally speeding for 2 extra touchdowns. Demercado ran for 150 yards on 17 carries, one in all which was a landing, and Johnson had six catches for 163 yards and a landing.

As for Michigan, McCarthy went 20-for-34 for 343 yards and two touchdowns, however his two interceptions each had been returned for scores. Edwards ran for 119 yards on 23 carries, whereas Ronnie Bell and Wilson mixed for 239 receiving yards on 11 catches.

Emari Demercado #3 of the TCU Horned Frogs celebrates with teammates after speeding for a landing through the third quarter towards the Michigan Wolverines within the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium on December 31, 2022 in Glendale, Arizona. 
(Norm Corridor/Getty Pictures)

TCU will now look to change into the primary Large 12 staff to win the Nationwide Championship since Texas took down USC within the Rose Bowl on Jan. 4, 2006. They await the winner of the Peach Bowl between No. 1 Georgia and No. 4 Ohio State.