After a magical undefeated season, the Texas Christian University Horned Frogs could not seize the victory in the Big 12 Championship as Kansas State won in overtime.
TCU overcame an 11-point deficit in the second half to tie the game, but the offense could not punch the ball in for a score on two consecutive plays. Kansas State hit the walk-off field goal to take the title for the first time since 2003.
The result of the loss for TCU will not be known until Sunday when the College Football Playoff Selection Committee announces the National Championship finalists.
WHAT TO KNOW
TCU quarterback Max Duggan is likely headed to New York for the Heisman Trophy selection after yet another gutsy performance that saw the senior QB battered and beaten throughout the contest but never broken. On the final offensive drive of the game, Duggan took the team on his back and forced the ball into scoring position on a series of runs that left the player with numerous lacerations.
Kansas State’s offense leaned heavily on the running game in critical moments. They relied on backup quarterback-turned-starter Will Howard to make just enough plays to move the sticks continuously. The final drive saw a combination of runs by K-State to get into easy field goal range for the walk-off Championship Title win.
Kansas State allowed a TCU touchdown on the game’s opening drive, then stiffened to force three punts, a fumble recovery, and a missed 55-yard field goal attempt. TCU managed a field goal just before the half to close the Wildcats’ lead to 14-10.
Throughout the season, TCU has played its best ball in the second half, having won six games after trailing, but simply could not get the necessary breaks against a stout defensive effort by K-State.
BY THE NUMBERS
Duggan continued his impressive season with a 251-yard passing performance but was let down several times when wide-open receivers were unable to make plays.
Duggan’s one mistake came with just 0:13 remaining in the third quarter on a pass to the endzone that Julius Brent picked off. TCU trailed 21-17 at that point, but Howard was able to engineer a six-play, 80-yard drive to add a touchdown and go up 28-17 in the fourth quarter.
The final drive of regulation for the Horned Frogs was nothing less than Duggan exerting his will and determination, running for 13 yards, 15 yards, and then 40 yards to get the ball inside the one-yard line.
Duggan rushed for the touchdown to get within two points and had to be helped off the turf by his linesman, which allowed an uncharacteristic number of big hits on the QB. Duggan then hit Jared Wiley for the two-pointer to tie the game.
The most controversial call of the game came on the final two snaps of the only TCU possession in overtime. After Duggan got the ball nearly across the goal line, as determined by replay when the call on the field was a yard short, TCU elected to hand off on third and fourth down but was stopped short on both tries.
Whether Duggan should have been given an opportunity at a QB sneak or if the call to rush with Kendre Miller was the right call may haunt this team for years.
WHO SAID?
Kansas State head coach Chris Klieman said: “Rise up. Rise up. We talked about it all week long. We were destined to be here.”
NEXT UP
TCU will find out on Sunday what the final ranking by the Selection Committee will be, which will determine whether the Horned Frogs will play for a National Championship.
