USC Collapses Late in Alamo Bowl, Falls to TCU in Overtime Heartbreaker
SAN ANTONIO - For three quarters, USC looked like a team ready to close out its season with a statement win. But when the lights burned brightest in the fourth quarter and overtime, the Trojans couldn’t hold on - and it cost them.
USC let a 10-point lead slip away in the final frame, ultimately falling 30-27 to TCU in the Alamo Bowl after a gut-punch of a finish. The deciding blow? A third-and-20 screen pass in overtime that turned into a 35-yard walk-off touchdown for the Horned Frogs - a play that will haunt the Trojans all offseason.
Let’s break it down.
Missed Chances and a Painful Ending
This one wasn’t just about the final play. USC had multiple opportunities to shut the door - on offense, on defense, and in key moments that demanded execution. And they just didn’t get it done.
Quarterback Jayden Maiava had a solid outing statistically, completing 18-of-30 passes for 280 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions. He made some big throws throughout the night, but the turnovers proved costly. Running back King Miller nearly hit the century mark with 99 rushing yards and a score, while Tanook Hines was the breakout star of the night, torching TCU’s secondary for 163 receiving yards on six catches.
Still, for all the offensive production, USC couldn’t land the knockout punch. And when it came time for the defense to make a stand, they couldn’t hold the line.
After Ryon Sayeri knocked through a 22-yard field goal to give USC a 30-27 lead in overtime, the Trojans had TCU backed up to a third-and-20. The defense looked poised to force a field goal or even a turnover - but instead, they gave up the game.
TCU quarterback Kenny Seals dumped a screen pass to Jeremy Payne, and Payne did the rest. He weaved through traffic, broke multiple tackles, and sprinted down the left sideline for the game-winning touchdown. It was a stunning end to a game USC had controlled for long stretches.
Seals finished with 258 yards through the air, along with one touchdown and one interception, earning Player of the Game honors in the process.
Undermanned, But Not Without Chances
It’s worth noting that USC came into this game severely shorthanded. Between opt-outs, injuries, and transfer portal departures, the roster was thin - especially on defense. But even with those limitations, the Trojans had the game in their hands.
This wasn’t just about who wasn’t playing. It was about the guys who were on the field and the plays that weren’t made.
Missed tackles. Missed assignments.
Missed opportunities.
And now, a season that once held playoff aspirations ends at 9-4, with more questions than answers heading into the offseason.
A Pivotal Offseason Ahead
The loss also marks the beginning of another transition for the Trojans. With defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn departing for the same role at Penn State, USC will once again be searching for a new leader on that side of the ball - the third DC in as many years.
That search now takes on even more urgency. The defense has been the Achilles’ heel of this program for too long, and if USC wants to take the next step nationally, that side of the ball has to be fixed.
There’s talent on this roster. There’s offensive firepower. But until the Trojans can close games like this - and get key stops when it matters most - they’ll remain a team with potential, not one that fulfills it.
Tuesday night in San Antonio was a painful reminder of that.