Seals’ touchdown pass leads TCU Horned Frogs to Alamo Bowl win

December 31, 2025

SAN ANTONIO — Ken Shields’ Journey with TCU Horned Frogs

Ken Shields waited until his final college game to make his first start for TCU, but it turned out to be worth the wait.

In a thrilling conclusion, Shields directed two scoring drives in the last five minutes of regulation and threw the game-winning touchdown in overtime as TCU overcame No. 16 USC with a 30-27 victory in the Alamo Bowl on Tuesday night.

“It felt like a movie,” Shields reflected. “I’m still trying to process everything. This has been an incredible experience. The buildup over the last week, finishing this way—it’s more than anyone could dream of.”

Shields finished the game completing 29 of 40 passes for 258 yards, capped off by the decisive touchdown.

After suffering a 10-yard loss due to a sack in overtime, Shields faced a daunting third-and-20 from the 35-yard line. He connected with running back Jeremy Payne, who caught the ball just beyond the line of scrimmage. With remarkable agility, Payne maneuvered past multiple defenders and dashed down the sideline for the game-winning score.

“I’m not really surprised,” TCU linebacker and defensive MVP Caleb Ayarms-Orr said about Payne’s performance. “Sometimes he gives me a hard time in practice, and I knew he could make those guys miss. He did it all night. Once he made his first move, I knew he was gone.”

Payne had an impressive night, recording six receptions for 50 yards and rushing for 73 yards on 13 carries with a touchdown.

A sixth-year senior, Shields earned his starting role after TCU quarterback Josh Hoover decided to transfer on December 18. Having backed up Hoover for the past two seasons, Shields previously started 22 games at Vanderbilt before transferring.

Growing up in Azle, roughly 37 miles from the TCU campus, Shields always dreamed of playing for the Horned Frogs.

“I’m completely invested. This is my last shot,” Shields stated.

Shields also orchestrated a 13-play, 59-yard drive that ended with Kyle Lemmerman kicking a 27-yard field goal as time expired to send the game into overtime. This marked the fourth overtime game in the bowl’s 33-year history.

In overtime, TCU (9–4) held USC (9–4) to a 22-yard field goal on the Trojans’ first possession despite a pass interference call in the end zone that gave USC a first down at the 2-yard line.

USC’s freshman kicker Ryon Saeli also connected on field goals of 40, 28, and 41 yards during the game.

“We had some tricky calls that didn’t pan out,” Trojans coach Lincoln Riley pointed out. “But we just didn’t execute well enough in the red zone on either side.”

Although USC junior quarterback Jayden Maiava threw for 280 yards and a touchdown, he also threw two interceptions, which proved costly.

USC fell short in the third quarter after a Christian Pierce interception, with the following drive ending in another interception—this time in the end zone.

With 49 seconds left in the third quarter, Jaden Richardson made a spectacular one-handed catch in the end zone, securing a 21-yard touchdown from Maiava. His impressive display of skill extended USC’s lead to 21-14.

TCU managed to pull ahead 14-13 before halftime, thanks to two short rushing touchdowns after a 75-yard drive.

Analysis

For USC, this marked the third straight season without hitting the 10-win mark.

As for TCU, they had an explosive offensive season but will have to rebuild. In addition to Hoover’s transfer, TCU also lost offensive coordinator Kendall Briles to South Carolina, and top wide receiver Eric McAllister is heading to the NFL.