TCU rallies past No. 16 USC with overtime win as Jeremy Payne seals Alamo Bowl thriller
TOI GLOBAL DESK | TOI GLOBAL | Dec 31, 2025, 18:32 IST
TCU rallied past No. 16 USC with a thrilling 30–27 overtime win in the Alamo Bowl after scoring 10 unanswered points late in regulation. Jeremy Payne sealed the victory with a walk-off touchdown catch, while Ken Seals threw for 258 yards in his first career start and earned MVP honors. The win capped a 9–4 season for the Horned Frogs.
Texas Christian football pulled off a dramatic comeback and defeated No. 16-ranked University of Southern California 0–27 in overtime on Tuesday night in the Alamo Bowl.
Jeremy Payne sealed the win with a walk-off touchdown catch after the Horned Frogs scored 10 unanswered points in the fourth quarter.
After USC scored first in overtime with a field goal. TCU’s quarterback Ken Seal responded with a short pass to Payne, who ran 35 yards by breaking multiple tackles and staying in bounds to score the touchdown that helped the team win.
Seals, who is in his 6th year, is making his first career start in his final college game, threw for 258 yards and a touchdown while leading two late scoring drives. Seals previously spent three years with Vanderbilt, where he started 22 games. The quarterback was given the chance to start after Josh Booker entered the transfer portal. Seals was also named as the game’s MVP.
Speaking to the reported post-match, Seals said, “It felt like a movie,” he continued, “I just can’t even … I’m not processing it. This is just an unbelievable experience. The week leading up to it, the last 10 days, and then finishing it in this fashion is just more than any guy can dream.”
Payne had an all-around performance with 73 rushing yards, a rushing touchdown, six catches for 50 yards, and the winning score.
USC led 24-14 late in the fourth quarter before TCU stormed back with a touchdown and a last-second field goal to force overtime. The Trojans managed only a field goal in overtime despite reaching the 2-yard line.
The win capped a strong finish for TCU, which ended the season 9-4 and kept the Big 12 perfect in bowl games. USC finished 9-4 after missing chances in the red zone. This is the third time this season USC failed to win 10 games.
TCU will open next season on August 29 against North Carolina in Dublin, while USC opens at home against Fresno State on September 5.
Jeremy Payne sealed the win with a walk-off touchdown catch after the Horned Frogs scored 10 unanswered points in the fourth quarter.
After USC scored first in overtime with a field goal. TCU’s quarterback Ken Seal responded with a short pass to Payne, who ran 35 yards by breaking multiple tackles and staying in bounds to score the touchdown that helped the team win.
Seals, who is in his 6th year, is making his first career start in his final college game, threw for 258 yards and a touchdown while leading two late scoring drives. Seals previously spent three years with Vanderbilt, where he started 22 games. The quarterback was given the chance to start after Josh Booker entered the transfer portal. Seals was also named as the game’s MVP.
Speaking to the reported post-match, Seals said, “It felt like a movie,” he continued, “I just can’t even … I’m not processing it. This is just an unbelievable experience. The week leading up to it, the last 10 days, and then finishing it in this fashion is just more than any guy can dream.”
Payne had an all-around performance with 73 rushing yards, a rushing touchdown, six catches for 50 yards, and the winning score.
USC led 24-14 late in the fourth quarter before TCU stormed back with a touchdown and a last-second field goal to force overtime. The Trojans managed only a field goal in overtime despite reaching the 2-yard line.
The win capped a strong finish for TCU, which ended the season 9-4 and kept the Big 12 perfect in bowl games. USC finished 9-4 after missing chances in the red zone. This is the third time this season USC failed to win 10 games.
TCU will open next season on August 29 against North Carolina in Dublin, while USC opens at home against Fresno State on September 5.