TCU Football: Horned Frogs Keep Playoff Hopes Alive in Thriller Over Baylor

Griffin Kell delivered the game-winning field goal to knock off the Bears 29-28.

TCU went into its final offensive possession without their top three weapons: Quentin Johnston, Kendre Miller and Derius Davis. It all rode on the shoulders of Max Duggan to put this team in field position and win the game. He did just that.

The Horned Frogs moved to 11-0 thanks to a 40-yard field goal off the foot of Griffin Kell stunning Baylor 29-28. It was not an easy win for TCU on the road against a Baylor team that was seeking vengeance from last year's matchup. 

Baylor got off to a quick start running the ball effectively against this TCU defense. An 11-play, 76-yard touchdown drive capped off by a Qualan Jones 10-yard touchdown made it 7-0 Bears. 

The teams were locked at 14 when Baylor had an opportunity to take the lead before the half. However, Blake Shapen threw a costly interception to Bud Clark to keep the game tied. 

The Frogs took the lead when Duggan found a wide open Gunnar Henderson for a 26-yard score. Kell could not convert the PAT which changed the complexity of the game. Baylor took the lead 21-20 and would eventually extend its lead to 28-20.

TCU cut the lead to two after an Emari Demercado touchdown but the Frogs were unable to get the two-point conversion. The defense came up with a stop and Duggan drove the offense into field-goal range. 

After a bizzare call on third down to run the ball, the field goal unit had to hurry onto the field to convert the game winner. All of TCU nation held their breath as the ball went in the air, but Griffin Kell prevailed. 

Kell from 40… for the win!#GoFrogs pic.twitter.com/zupKUjyUeN

— TCU Athletics (@TCU_Athletics) November 19, 2022

Head Coach Sonny Dykes said, "We call it the Bazooka, we practice it every Thursday. We had faith that Griffin would be ready." It looked like they had practiced this moment because the players got set really fast and Kell delivered the most important kick of his career. 

Team Leaders	TCU	Baylor
Passing	Max Duggan: 24/35 327 yds, 1 TD 1 INT	Blake Shapen: 21/30 269 yds, 1 TD 1 INT
Rushing	Kendre Miller: 10 car, 41 yds 1 TD	Craig Williams: 19 car, 112 yds
Receiving	Taye Barber: 5 rec 108 yds	Monaray Baldwin: 6 rec 123 yds
Defense	Mark Perry: 7 tackles, 1 TFL	Devin Lemear: 9 tackles, 1 PD

It was an incredibly hard-fought game from both sides. The TCU defense struggled against the run and Baylor did a good job of keeping TCU's offense off the field. They never struggled to move the ball down the field and all hope seemed lost. But like so many times this season, TCU refuses to go away and another comeback secures their 11th consecutive win. 

The Frogs are 11-0 for the fourth time in its history. They will host one final home game against Iowa State next Saturday before playing in the Big 12 championship in Arlington. However, TCU's aspirations reach much higher and they moved one step closer to reaching the CFB playoff. 

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