TCU Horned Frogs place kicker Cole Bunce (37) kicks the winning field goal during the 4th quarter of the Alamo Bowl NCAA football game between the TCU Horned Frogs and the Stanford Cardinal at the Alamodome in San Antonio, TX. TCU won the game 39 to 37…Trask Smith/CSM (Cal Sport Media via AP Images)

By Daniel Dullum
Sports Radio Service
Thursday, December 28, 2017

The Alamo Bowl matchup between Texas Christian and Stanford promised to be a good one, and Thursday’s game at San Antonio’s Alamodome didn’t disappoint.

Thanks to another big night for the Cardinal’s Bryce Love, Stanford led most of the game. But the Horned Frogs had the final say in a 39-37 come-from-behind victory, something they’ve done before in this bowl.

Two years ago, TCU edged Oregon 47-41 in overtime after trailing by 31 at the half. This time, the Horned Frogs overcame a 21-3 deficit in the second quarter, eventually winning on a late field goal by Cole Bunce.

Early in the fourth quarter, Texas Christian quarterback Kenny Hill connected with Jalen Reagor for a 93-yard touchdown pass, cutting the Stanford lead to two. The 2-point conversion pass attempt was incomplete.

The Cardinal punted on their next possession, and Desmon White returned it 76 yards for a touchdown, putting the Horned Frogs ahead at 36-30.

Stanford responded with J.J. Arcega-Whiteside’s third TD reception of the game on a pass from K.J. Costello with 6:42 to play in regulation. TCU surged ahead to stay on Bunce’s 33-yard field goal at 3:07 of the fourth quarter.

The Cardinal’s final drive stalled when Costello was intercepted with two minutes left. Conspicuously absent from that drive was Love, who left the game with a bloody right thumb. Love, who finished second in the Heisman Trophy voting, ran 26 times for 145 yards and two touchdowns, including a 69-yard scoring romp in the third quarter.

Hill finished 27 of 40 passing for 314 yards, two TDs, and two interceptions. He also ran for one touchdown and caught a scoring pass in the third quarter. It was the second time this season Hill figured in all three types of touchdowns in one game.

The victory ended the Horned Frogs season at 11-3, while Stanford wound up 9-5.