San Antonio-TX—-Ken Seals waited more than two years for another chance to start, and when the opportunity finally arrived, he delivered a storybook ending.
Seals led a fourth-quarter comeback and Jeremy Payne finished it in overtime as TCU stunned No. 16 USC, 30–27, Tuesday night in the Valero Alamo Bowl. The victory marked the Horned Frogs’ final game of the season and unforgettably capped Seals’ college career.
The sixth-year quarterback was named the game’s Offensive MVP after guiding TCU back from a 10-point deficit in the fourth quarter and throwing the game-winning touchdown in overtime. Seals finished with 258 passing yards, one passing touchdown, and a rushing score, steadying the offense when it mattered most.
After TCU stalled on third down in overtime following a 10-yard sack, Seals delivered a short pass to Payne at the line of scrimmage. The sophomore running back made magic, shaking four defenders, breaking three tackles, and sprinting down the left sideline into the end zone to seal the win. The moment triggered a celebration as teammates, staff, and fans rushed the field.
“He be shaking me at practice sometimes too,” linebacker Kaleb Elarms-Orr said. “I’m not really surprised. Once he made that first guy miss, I knew he was gone.”
Payne finished with 123 all-purpose yards and played a pivotal role in TCU’s comeback, helping the Horned Frogs improve to a perfect 3–0 all-time record in the Valero Alamo Bowl.
“I was always taught to just beat one player,” Payne said. “Once I beat that one guy, I’m thinking first down. Then I broke another tackle and thought, ‘I could make it.’”
Elarms-Orr anchored the defensive effort and earned Defensive MVP honors after recording eight assisted tackles and three solo stops. Senior safety Bud Clark added two solo tackles and two pass breakups, including a near-interception in the red zone during the first half.
“It felt like a movie,” Seals said. “I’m not even processing it yet. It’s more than you can dream of.”
The Azle, Texas native transferred to TCU after a record-setting career at Vanderbilt, where he set program marks for completion percentage (60.5%) and passing yards by a freshman (1,928). After former starter Josh Hoover entered the transfer portal, Seals earned the starting role, and his teammates rallied behind him — a show of unity that paid off on the game’s biggest stage.
TCU (9–4, 5–4 Big 12) forced the fourth overtime game in Valero Bowl history in front of nearly 55,000 fans. The Horned Frogs were perfect in the red zone, going 4-for-4, while holding USC to field goals and forcing an interception on five red-zone trips.
Down 24–14 with 9:37 remaining in regulation, TCU began its rally. Payne burst up the middle for a 22-yard gain, then Seals connected with Major Everhart for 11 yards to set up a short touchdown run by Payne. The score cut the deficit to 24–21 with 4:24 left.
After the defense forced a USC punt, Seals led one final drive, setting up a 27-yard field goal as time expired to force overtime.
The Horned Frogs’ comeback echoed their last appearance in the Alamodome, when they erased a 31-point deficit to beat No. 15 Oregon in triple overtime a decade ago. With the win over USC, TCU also became the second-winningest program in Valero Alamo Bowl history.
USC quarterback Jordan Maiava threw for 280 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions. Freshman running back King Miller totaled 114 all-purpose yards in the loss.
Both head coaches reflected on the moment afterward. TCU’s Sonny Dykes said the program will take time to celebrate before quickly turning its attention to recruiting.
“We’ll enjoy this for the next 72 hours,” Dykes said, “and then it’s back to work.”
USC coach Lincoln Riley acknowledged the loss of senior leadership but expressed optimism about the future. He also addressed the departure of defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn, who accepted the same position at Penn State earlier in the week.
“None of that changes our standards or where we’re headed,” Riley said. “We’re excited about the future and continuing the work to bring USC football back to where it belongs.”
