In arguably the most exciting bowl game of the 2015-2016 bowl season, the University of Oregon and Texas Christian University did not fail. Both were ranked in the top ten to start the season and were thought to be favorites to make the College Football Playoff. Obviously that didn’t pan out for either team, but both finished in the top 15 in rankings and faced each other in the 2016 Valero Alamo Bowl.
Early Oregon Dominance
The game was a laugher early on. Oregon led 21-0 after the first quarter. The second quarter wasn’t good for TCU either, being outscored 10-0 as the Ducks took a 31-0 lead into halftime, thanks in part to the impressive play by Vernon Adams Jr. and the Oregon offense. Adams went 13/19 for 197 yards and a touchdown, but got hurt and would not return to the game. From there on, Oregon’s offense would completely hault.
The Start Of A Miracle
TCU lost starting quarterback Trevone Boykin prior to the game, as he was arrested after sneaking out of the team hotel and getting into a bar fight the night before. Backup QB and TCU’s now-starter Bram Kohlhausen came alive in the second half. He tossed for 351 yards and two touchdowns. Kohlhausen also had a rushing touchdown to help pull the Horned Frogs closer.
Oregon’s offense continued to struggle without Adams and gave the ball up to TCU with just over two minutes remaining in the game with TCU down by three. TCU’s offense drove down the field and added a field goal with 19 seconds remaining to incredibly tie the game at 31. The Horned Frogs kicked the ensuing kickoff deep and Oregon returned the ball to near midfield. Nine seconds remained on the clock, but QB Jeff Lockie was sacked to end regulation.
Triple-Overtime To Remember
In overtime, Oregon won the toss and elected to go on defense first. TCU drove down and scored on Kohlhausen’s touchdown pass to David Porter. On Oregon’s possession, they were faced with a 4th down play, but they converted to keep the drive going. Oregon then scored on a Royce Freeman rushing touchdown.
In the second overtime, the teams simply traded field goals, although neither attempts were easy. TCU’s field goal was from 46 yards and Oregon’s attempt from 44 yards. The score was nodded up at 41 heading into the third overtime.
TCU got the ball to start the third overtime period, and the Horned Frogs made it look easy. The Kohlhausen-led offense moved the ball effectively and reached paydirt on a Kohlhausen eight-yard touchdown run. TCU failed on their two-point conversion following the touchdown. Their counterpart Oregon struggled on their third overtime drive. QB Jeff Lockie was sacked on third down and Oregon faced a 4th & 8 at the 23-yard line. Lockie threw the ball to Darren Covington on the run, but he couldn’t come up with it as TCU took home the Alamo Bowl championship, winning 47-41. TCU also tied the all-time record for largest bowl comeback ever.
Bram Kohlhausen finished the game 28/45 for 351 yards and two touchdowns. He did throw an interception but also made plays on the ground, rushing 11 times for 45 yards and two touchdowns.
Oregon QB Jake Lockie wasn’t too hot once he stepped in for the injured Adams, as he went 7/15 for 36 yards. Oregon running back Royce Freeman rushed 26 times for 130 yards and three touchdowns. He was essentially Oregon’s best offensive threat after Adams went down. But Adams going down was the Achilles heel, as the Ducks didn’t score in the second half. They scored in overtime but were ousted by the Horned Frogs in one of the most exciting bowl games in recent memory.