Funviralpark of college football playoffs The semifinals got off to a thrilling start, with No. 3 TCU beating No. 2 Michigan 51-45.
The total of 96 points was the highest point total in Fiesta Bowl history and the second highest point total in a College Football Playoff game.
TCU will face the winner of the Peach Bowl between No. 1 Georgia and No. 4 Ohio later Saturday in the US Championship game at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles on Jan. 9.
Fiesta Bowl highlights include:
Fiesta Bowl: TCU 51, Michigan 45
…and off we go!
On the first play from scrimmage, Michigan running back Donovan Edwards broke through the TCU defense with a 54-yard carry.
huge stand
Immediately after the big run, Michigan quarterback JJ McCarthy scrambled to the TCU 2-yard line with thirds and sevenths. Michigan he chose it on 4th down, but the trick play was denied by the TCU defense.
Pick Six!
TCU went three-and-out after the goal-line stand, but then disaster struck Michigan.
On the first play of the ensuing possession, McCarthy’s pass was intercepted by safety Bud Clarke, who ran the pick 41 yards back for a TCU touchdown.
bully ball
Michigan went three-and-out after pick six.
The Horned Frogs put together a 12-play touchdown drive that ended with three runs from quarterback Max Duggan, who threw for 38 yards on the drive. With TCU he led 14-0.
chaotic sequence
McCarthy hit tight ends Luke Schoonmaker and Colston Loveland for a combined 48 yards and set up a 42-yard field goal from kicker Jake Moody.
On the first play of TCU’s next possession, Duggan’s pass was overturned and intercepted by defensive back Rod Moore. McCarthy then hit wide receiver Roman Wilson, who was originally ruled for a 49-yard touchdown. However, after further consideration, Wilson was eliminated at the 1-yard line.
Linebacker Karel Mullings then came in for a carry and fumbled. TCU recovers a loose ball for a touchback.
TCU is running
After forcing Michigan to punt, TCU put together a 10-play touchdown drive that allowed Duggan to avoid a sack and deliver the ball to wide receiver Tabor Burr, who ran into the end zone. The score gave TCU a 21-3 lead.
Huge FG
A defensive pass interference gave Michigan the ball at the TCU 41-yard line with 5 seconds remaining in the first half. Michigan brought in Moody and attempted a 59-yard field goal.
TCU led 21-6 at halftime.
Kamala catches Wolverine
Michigan wanted to execute a screen pass on third down. , making the game 21-9 in the opening minutes of the second half.
Previous receiver grabs instead of INT.
After TCU’s Delius Davis bobbled the ball, Mike Seinlistille came up with it, giving Michigan an interception and the ball into TCU territory.
Flick your way home with a fleaTo game
Three plays after the interception, Michigan hit a home run. A perfectly executed flicker of fleas allowed Bell to go wide open and deep and pull with a 34-yard touchdown grab to make it 21-16.
TCU strikes back
Horned Frogs kept the Wolverines out of the ball by just 5 points. On the first play of his next drive, Duggan found his most reliable receiver and connected with Johnston for a 46-yard grab.
After five plays, Emali Demercado scored a 1-yarder to put the Horned Frogs up 28-16 for third with minutes remaining.
TCU Wins Pick Six Again!
Horned Frogs put the Wolverines on the ropes again after getting another pick 6. Dee Winters perfectly read his McCarthy eyes and got an interception and a score. TCU bobbled the snap on his PAT, but the Horned Frogs followed the score to put him up 34-16.
McCarthy on the move
McCarthy fought back immediately after throwing a pick six. First, he ran for his 39-yard gain, and on the next play he ran for a 20-yard touchdown. Michigan returned to McCarthy for the two-point conversion, but TCU stopped him then to keep the score at 34-22.
Explosion Emali
Demercado broke through a 69-yard run right after McCarthy’s touchdown run to get TCU to the 1-yard line. On the next play, Duggan kept the ball to himself for the score, putting the Horned Frogs up 41–22 in the final minute of the third.
Michigan keeps ringing the bell
The Michigan receiver made the third and final big play by pulling a 44-yard grab that was initially ruled a touchdown, but a review ruled him one yard short. rice field. On the next play, Mullings did not make the mistake he made earlier and held the ball as it fell into his zone in the end. McCarthy said he was able to make the two-point conversion and he was up the game 41-30 just before the end of the third quarter.
magic of miracles
Star defensive tackle Maji Smith returned the ball to the Wolverines at the end of the third quarter, forcing a fumble and putting Michigan into TCU territory.
What a wild third quarter!
Both teams scored a total of 44 points in the 15-minute frame, with all drives ending in scores or turnovers. In Atlanta, Ohio State fans were able to enjoy at least some frenzy.
elway shades
Wilson took an end-around and hit the bottom as he accelerated, spinning into the end zone. Michigan completed his two-point conversion on opening time in the 4th quarter to make it 41-38.
Johnston takes off for another TD
Michigan put pressure on third down and paid the price. Duggan barely escaped, dumping his pass to Johnston. As he turned upfield, there was no Wolverine to stop him as he ran 76 yards to give the Horned Toads a 48-38 lead.
Wilson, where are you?
McCarthy had to improvise on his second goal from the 5-yard line. Luckily for him, a TCU defender slipped and Wilson opened for a touchdown, securing his grab and cutting him into TCU’s lead with 3:18 left to put him at 51-45. Did.
TCU wins! …but not without some controversy
Michigan missed the snap at 4 and 10 and the game seemed over. However, after several lateral attempts from the Wolverines, Keyon Stewart may have committed a targeting penalty, giving Michigan a first down with 25 seconds remaining. It was determined that there was no targeting.
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