GAME RECAP AND TOP PHOTOS: Horned Frogs Stun the Trojans in Texas, as TCU wins the Alamo Bowl in OT

By Hannah Morrow

SAN ANTONIO, TX — The No. 16 USC Trojans (9-3) and TCU Horned Frogs (8-4) squared off in the Valero Alamo Bowl at the Alamodome, renewing a rivalry dormant since 1998. USC holds a 3-2 edge in the all-time series, but TCU claimed the last meeting with a 28-19 win in the Sun Bowl. Coaching ties add extra flavor: USC’s Lincoln Riley returns to the bowl where he orchestrated a high-powered Texas Tech offense in 2009, while TCU’s Sonny Dykes honors family legacy—his father, Spike, coached here in 1996.

Both teams bring explosive offenses to the table, with USC excelling in the passing game and TCU drawing energy from a near-home crowd, chasing a third straight Alamo Bowl victory.

TCU won the coin toss and deferred. USC’s opening drive marched steadily, capped by Ryon Sayeri’s successful 40-yard field goal at the 7:06 mark, putting the Trojans up 3-0.

TCU responded with a punt, but USC quarterback Jayden Maiava’s deep pass up the middle was intercepted by TCU’s Jamel Johnson at the 30-yard line. The Horned Frogs couldn’t capitalize, and the quarter ended with USC leading 3-0.

TCU opened the quarter with a false start penalty on Chase Curtis. Moments later, the Horned Frogs struck first on offense—a touchdown pass to Jon Denman, followed by Kyle Pat’s extra point, flipping the score to TCU 7, USC 3 with 13:36 remaining.

USC answered immediately. Running back King Miller powered in for a touchdown, and Sayeri’s PAT made it USC 10, TCU 7 at the 9:57 mark.

TCU’s next drive stalled when quarterback Ken Seals’ pass to Eric McAlister fell incomplete. On the following play, Jeremy Payne rushed up the middle for a 2-yard gain, but a pre-snap penalty was flagged. Just seconds after, Ken Seals scores TCU their 2nd touchdown of the half with 4:58 remaining. TCU 14 USC 10. With just 19 seconds left in the half, Ryon Sayeri completes a field goal attempt bringing the score to TCU 14 USC 13 at half.

The Trojans and Horned Frogs are trading blows in a tightly contested first half.

The third quarter opened with fireworks when TCU’s Christian Pierce intercepted a short pass from quarterback Ken Seals at the Horned Frogs’ 29-yard line. A personal foul facemask penalty on TCU’s defense gave USC prime field position, but the Trojans couldn’t capitalize—Jayden Maiava’s pass into the end zone was picked off by Channing Canada, intended for Corey Simms.

Maiava bounced back with a big play, connecting deep up the middle for a 46-yard completion to Tanook Hines as the clock hit 3:00 in the third. Still, no points were scored until late in the quarter. With just 49 seconds remaining, Maiava found Jaden Richardson for a touchdown pass and would attempt the 2 point try and convert on a Maiava pass to Taniela Tupou

Early in the final quarter, USC’s Miller King gashed the TCU defense with a 13-yard rush to the Horned Frogs’ 26. The Trojans burned their first timeout with 10:27 left, then extended the lead to 24-14 on a successful 41-yard field goal by Sayeri with 9:37 remaining.

TCU refused to fold. With 4:24 on the clock, Jeremy Payne powered in from 5 yards for a touchdown, narrowing the gap to 24-21. A false start penalty on USC’s Kaylon Miller (possibly an offensive lineman) followed, but the Trojans held on defense initially.

Late-game tension peaked as USC punted with 2:44 left—Sam Johnson’s 45-yard boot downed at the TCU 31 with a fair catch by Ed Small. TCU used their first timeout at 1:18, and the clock management frenzy ensued: USC called their second timeout at 28 seconds, then their third and final one at 19 seconds after no play had run. With time expiring in regulation, TCU’s Kyle Lemmermann drilled a 27-yard field goal to knot the score at 24-24, forcing overtime.

USC won the coin toss and went on offense first. An incomplete pass from Maiava to Tanook Hines stalled the drive, and Sayeri converted a 22-yard field goal to put the Trojans up 27-24.

On TCU’s possession, the Horned Frogs faced third-and-long but sealed the victory when Jeremy Payne caught a short pass, broke multiple tackles, and raced for a dramatic touchdown (reported as 35 yards in some accounts). Final score: TCU 30, USC 27.

The Horned Frogs’ resilience, led by backup QB Ken Seals and standout performances from Payne, spoiled USC’s bid for a 10-win season. Jayden Maiava showed flashes of brilliance for the Trojans, but turnovers and missed opportunities proved costly in this instant classic. TCU improves their bowl streak while USC heads into the offseason with momentum—and questions—to build on for 2026.