At a Glance
- Ken Seals earns first start, leads TCU to a 30-27 overtime win over USC.
- Seals throws the game-ending touchdown to Jeremy Payne in the fourth OT.
- The game featured a 13-play, 59-yard drive that forced overtime, the first for TCU since 2000.
Why it matters: The win caps a season of resilience for TCU, gives Seals a memorable debut, and showcases the program’s offensive talent.
After a season of waiting, Ken Seals finally stepped onto the field as TCU’s starting quarterback and guided the Horned Frogs to a dramatic 30-27 overtime victory over the No. 16 Trojans in the Alamo Bowl.
Seals’ First Start and the Overtime Thriller
Seals, a sixth-year senior who grew up a Horned Frogs fan in Azle, 23 miles from campus, was named starter after Josh Hoover entered the transfer portal on Dec. 18. He completed 29 of 40 passes for 258 yards and the game-ending touchdown in OT.
The decisive play came after a 10-yard sack on second down. Facing third-and-20 from the 35, Seals found Jeremy Payne with a short toss. Payne broke tackles and sprinted to the end zone for the win.
Kaleb Elarms-Orr stated:
> I’m not really surprised… He was doing it all night… I knew he was gone.
Ken Seals added:
> It felt like a movie… I’m not even… I’m not processing it. This is just an unbelievable experience.
Key Players and Game Highlights
USC’s Jayden Maiava threw for 280 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions. The Trojans scored three field goals-40, 28, and 41 yards-and had a 21-14 lead at halftime thanks to Jaden Richardson’s 21-yard touchdown and Taniela Tupou’s two-point conversion.
| Team | Passing Yards | TDs | INTs | Field Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TCU | 258 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| USC | 280 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
Aftermath and Next Season
With the loss of offensive coordinator Kendal Briles to South Carolina and star receiver Eric McAlister heading to the NFL, TCU will rebuild next year. The Horned Frogs are slated to open the season against North Carolina on Aug. 29 in Dublin, Ireland. USC will host Fresno State on Sept. 5 in what could be the first game of Jayden Maiava’s Heisman campaign.
Key Takeaways
- Ken Seals earns a memorable first start with a 30-27 OT win over USC.
- Jeremy Payne’s game-winning touchdown highlights TCU’s offensive resilience.
- Both programs face significant offseason changes that will shape the next season.
Seals’ first start will be remembered as a cinematic moment that capped a resilient season for TCU, and the win sets a high bar for the program’s future.
