Michigan
13-1 , 10-0
TCU
13-1 , 9-1
Horned Frogs Derail Wolverines' Title Hopes in CFP Semifinal Barnburner
12/31/2022 8:42:00 PM | Football
Site: Glendale, Ariz. (State Farm Arena)
Score: #3 TCU 51, #2 Michigan 45
Records:U-M (13-1), TCU (13-1)
Attendance: 71,723
Next U-M Event: Season completed
GLENDALE, Ariz. -- The No. 2-ranked University of Michigan football team's magical season came to an end in the College Football Playoff Semifinal Saturday night, falling 51-45 to Texas Christian in a topsy-turvy affair in the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium.
The two teams combined for 96 points and 1,012 yards, including a record-breaking 44 points in the third quarter alone. When all was said and done, Michigan (13-1) totaled 528 yards, including 343 through the air.
Two costly turnovers, one in each half, proved to be the ultimate stumbling blocks for the Wolverines. The Horned Frogs returned two interceptions for touchdowns, one in the first quarter and one in the third, and Michigan was never able to fully recover.
Sophomore quarterback J.J. McCarthy completed 20-of-34 passes for 343 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions, while also adding 52 rushing yards and a touchdown on the ground. Fellow sophomore Donovan Edwards added 119 yards in the ground game, while junior Roman Wilson added 18 yards and a touchdown and junior Kalel Mullings punched in a touchdown as well.
Seven different receivers hauled in catches in the contest, with Ronnie Bell and Wilson both eclipsing the century mark. Bell caught six passes for 135 yards and a touchdown, and Wilson grabbed five passes for 104 yards and a score.
Kicker Jake Moody provided the first three scores for Michigan in the contest, knocking in a career-long and school-record 59-yard field goal to end the first half, setting a new high for the College Football Playoff as well.
Despite allowing a season-high 51 points, the defense forced three turnovers in the contest. Sophomore Rod Moore tallied a game-high 12 tackles to go along with his fourth interception of the season, while senior cornerback Mike Sainristil hauled in a pick of his own to go along with seven total tackles. Fellow senior Mazi Smith forced and recovered a fumble.
The Wolverines nearly pulled off the biggest comeback in the history of the College Football Playoff, erasing a 17-point first-half deficit thanks in part to a 24-point third quarter. Michigan had the ball and a chance to complete the miracle comeback, trailing by six with just under a minute to play. However, the TCU (13-1) defense stood firm and U-M turned the ball over on downs to end its season and title hopes.
Michigan finished the season as Big Ten Conference champions and a final record of 13-1, the first 13-win season in the history of the program.
Team Stats
TCU 7, UMI 0
TCU - Clark,Bud 41 yd interception (Kell,Griffin kick)
TCU 14, UMI 0
TCU - Duggan,Max 1 yd run (Kell,Griffin kick), 12 plays, 76 yards, TOP 05:19
TCU 14, UMI 3
UMI - Moody,Jake 42 yd field goal 8 plays, 51 yards, TOP 03:41
TCU 21, UMI 3
TCU - Barber,Taye 6 yd pass from Duggan,Max (Kell,Griffin kick) 10 plays, 83 yards, TOP 04:24
TCU 21, UMI 6
UMI - Moody,Jake 59 yd field goal 5 plays, 26 yards, TOP 00:47
TCU 21, UMI 9
UMI - Moody,Jake 21 yd field goal 7 plays, 63 yards, TOP 04:09
TCU 21, UMI 16
UMI - Bell,Ronnie 34 yd pass from McCarthy,J.J. (Moody,Jake kick) 3 plays, 45 yards, TOP 01:12
TCU 28, UMI 16
TCU - Demercado,Emari 1 yd run (Kell,Griffin kick), 6 plays, 75 yards, TOP 02:07
TCU 34, UMI 16
TCU - Winters,Dee 29 yd interception ()
TCU 34, UMI 22
UMI - McCarthy,J.J. 20 yd run (), 3 plays, 69 yards, TOP 00:58
TCU 41, UMI 22
TCU - Duggan,Max 1 yd run (Kell,Griffin kick), 3 plays, 78 yards, TOP 00:52
TCU 41, UMI 30
UMI - Mullings,Kalel 1 yd run (McCarthy,J.J. rush), 3 plays, 75 yards, TOP 00:46
TCU 41, UMI 38
UMI - Wilson,Roman 18 yd run (Bell,Ronnie pass), 2 plays, 27 yards, TOP 00:47
TCU 48, UMI 38
TCU - Johnston,Quentin 76 yd pass from Duggan,Max (Kell,Griffin kick) 3 plays, 79 yards, TOP 00:59
TCU 51, UMI 38
TCU - Kell,Griffin 33 yd field goal 4 plays, 1 yards, TOP 02:07
TCU 51, UMI 45
UMI - Wilson,Roman 5 yd pass from McCarthy,J.J. (Moody,Jake kick) 9 plays, 56 yards, TOP 03:28
