In one of the most dramatic games in Valero Alamo Bowl history, #11 TCU defeated #15 Oregon 47-41 in three overtimes. After heading into the locker room at halftime trailing 31-0, the Horned Frogs mounted a furious second half comeback, scoring 38 unanswered points to take the lead in the first overtime session. After an 8-yard touchdown run by TCU quarterback Bram Kohlhausen in the third overtime session, TCU safety Denzel Johnson swatted away a fourth down pass in the final series to win the game. TCU’s comeback was the largest in Valero Alamo Bowl history. Kohlhausen was named Offensive MVP, TCU linebacker Travin Howard was named Defensive MVP and Oregon linebacker Rodney Hardrick was given the Fred Jacoby Sportsmanship Award.
GAME NOTES:
Score: TCU 47, Oregon 41
Recap: TCU explodes in second half after biggest halftime deficit in Valero Alamo Bowl history, defeats Oregon in triple overtime to complete biggest comeback in bowl history
Coaches: Oregon: Mark Helfrich, TCU: Gary Patterson
Highlights: TCU quarterback Bram Kohlhausen shines in TCU’s second half scoring eruption; Horned Frog defense thwarts Oregon drive in triple overtime to secure one of the biggest comebacks in football history
TV Coverage: ESPN HD
Attendance: 64,569 (11th highest in Valero Alamo Bowl History)
Offensive MVP: Bram Kohlhausen, TCU
Defensive MVP: Travin Howard, TCU
Fred Jacoby Sportsmanship Award: Rodney Hardrick, Oregon
THE AMAZING CAN HAPPEN IN THE BLINK OF AN EYE
For the second consecutive year the Valero Alamo Bowl saw a furious second half comeback as TCU scored 31 consecutive points in the second half after a first half in which the Horned Frogs were the victim of a 31-0 onslaught at the hands of Oregon. The two teams traded scores in two overtime periods before the TCU quarterback Bram Kohlhausen and the Horned Frog defense secured a win in the third overtime period.
This game was just another in the line of showstopping finishes at the Valero Alamo Bowl, as eight of the last 10 Alamo Bowls has been decided in the final minutes.
Kohlhausen sparked the second half rally with 248 passing yards and two touchdowns, one through the air and one on the ground.
TCU drove the field with only minutes remaining before running back Aaron Green dove into the end zone for a two-yard score. The Horned Frogs added a two point conversion to cut the lead to three.
Oregon’s final drive stalled and the Ducks punted to TCU, giving the Horned Frogs a short field. TCU drove the ball to the one-yard line after 26 rushing yards from Green but threw an incomplete pass on third-down. TCU settled for a field goal and the game went into overtime knotted at 31.
The two teams traded touchdowns in the first overtime period as Kohlhausen found Emanuel Porter for a passing TD and Oregon running back Royce Freeman pounded in his third TD of the game. But the touchdowns ended there for Oregon as TCU and the Ducks held each other to field goals on their next overtime possession.
With the element of the extra point eliminated in the third overtime period the game had a new dynamic. Kohlhausen ran in another score to give TCU a 47-41 lead but could not add the two point conversion. That was no concern for the Horned Frogs as a bad snap on 3rd down led to a TCU sack and the Horned Frogs batted away a pass at the goal line on fourth down to finish the game victorious.
The first half had seen Freeman and Duck quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. lead an offensive charge that generated 31 first half points while the Oregon defense held TCU scoreless in a half for the first time this season.
In the 2005 MasterCard Alamo Bowl, Michigan lateraled the ball eight times on the final play and nearly found the end zone. Nebraska’s Titus Brothers did not give up on the play and sealed the 32-28 victory as he pushed Michigan’s Tyler Eckler out of bounds.
In 2006, Texas overcame a 14-0 deficit and held Iowa scoreless in its last two drives, including once as time expired, to defeat the Hawkeyes 26-24.
In 2007, Penn State overcame a two touchdown deficit to shut down a late Texas A&M drive on the two yard line in its 24-17 win against the Aggies.
In 2008, Missouri and Northwestern went to Overtime before deciding a winner. A short pass from quarterback Chase Daniel to wide receiver Jeremy Maclin proved to be the difference in the Tigers’ 30-23 win.
The January 2010 edition of the Valero Alamo Bowl saw Texas Tech trailing 31-27 with eight minutes remaining before Steven Sheffield led the Red Raiders to two late touchdowns and a 41-31 victory.
In 2011, Baylor outlasted Washington 67-56 in the highest scoring regulation bowl game in college football history. The two teams combined to set 15 Valero Alamo Bowl records. Baylor trailed Washington 56-53 with 9:40 to go, but Terance Ganaway provided two of his five touchdown runs in the final six minutes to help Baylor secure the win.
In 2012, Texas trailed Oregon State 27-17 before rallying back to win the game 31-27. Texas quarterback David Ash threw touchdown passes to Johnathan Gray and Marquise Goodwin to give the Longhorns the win.
In 2015, #14 UCLA withstood a furious second half comeback by #11 Kansas State and held on to win the 2015 Valero Alamo Bowl 40-35. Kansas State scored 15 unanswered points in the third quarter to overcome a 31-6 halftime deficit and the two teams traded scores before a failed onside kick at the one minute mark left the Wildcats trailing 40-35.
THIRD TIMES A CHARM
The Valero Alamo Bowl added an exciting new chapter to its history in the 2016 game as TCU and Oregon battled to a 47-41 finish in the a three-overtime game. Previously the Alamo Bowl had never experienced a more than one overtime period and the Ducks and Horned Frogs set a new benchmark for excitement with three overtime periods.
ALL-TIME ALAMO BOWL ATTENDANCE
A sellout crowd of 64,569 saw the #11 TCU Horned Frogs rally from the biggest first half deficit in Valero Alamo Bowl history to win, the 11th largest crowd in the Bowl’s 23-year history.
66,166 Valero Alamo Bowl, December 29, 2007 (Penn State vs. Texas A&M)
65,981 Valero Alamo Bowl, December 30, 2013 (Texas vs. Oregon)
65,875 Alamo Bowl, December 30, 2006 (Texas vs. Iowa)
65,380 SYLVANIA Alamo Bowl, Dec. 31, 1999 (Penn State vs. Texas A&M)
65,277 Valero Alamo Bowl, Dec. 29, 2012 (Texas vs. Oregon State)
65,265 MasterCard Alamo Bowl, Dec. 29, 2004 (Ohio State vs. Oklahoma State)
65,256 Valero Alamo Bowl, Dec. 29, 2011 (Washington vs. Baylor)
65,232 SYLVANIA Alamo Bowl, Dec. 29, 2001 (Texas Tech vs. Iowa)
64,757 Valero Alamo Bowl, Jan. 2, 2010 (Michigan State vs. Texas Tech)
64,597 Builders Square Alamo Bowl, Dec. 31, 1995 (Michigan vs. Texas A&M)
64,569 Valero Alamo Bowl, Jan. 2, 2016 (Oregon vs. TCU)
62,016 MasterCard Alamo Bowl, Dec. 31, 2005 (Michigan vs. Nebraska)
60,780 Builders Square Alamo Bowl, Dec. 29, 1998 (Kansas State vs. Purdue)
60,517 Valero Alamo Bowl, Jan. 2, 2015 (Kansas State vs. UCLA)
60,031 SYLVANIA Alamo Bowl, Dec. 30, 2000 (Nebraska vs. Northwestern)
57,595 Valero Alamo Bowl, Dec. 29, 2010 (Arizona vs. Oklahoma State)
56,229 MasterCard Alamo Bowl, Dec. 29, 2003 (Nebraska vs. Michigan State)
55,986 Valero Alamo Bowl, December 29, 2008 (Missouri vs. Northwestern)
55,677 Builders Square Alamo Bowl, Dec. 29, 1996 (Texas Tech vs. Iowa)
55,552 Builders Square Alamo Bowl, Dec. 30, 1997 (Oklahoma State vs. Purdue)
50,690 Alamo Bowl presented by MasterCard, Dec. 31, 2002 (Wisc. vs. Colorado)
45,716 Builders Square Alamo Bowl, Dec. 31, 1993 (California vs. Iowa)
44,106 Builders Square Alamo Bowl, Dec. 31, 1994 (Washington State vs. Baylor)
CAN I GET AN EXTENSION?
For only the third time in Valero Alamo Bowl history 60 minutes were not enough to declare a winner as TCU and Oregon went into overtime. The Horned Frogs secured the victory with a four touchdowns from quarterback Bram Kohlhausen and stellar performance by the TCU defense. This year’s game was the first overtime since the 2008 Valero Alamo Bowl when Chase Daniel and the Missouri Tigers bested Northwestern. The Alamo Bowl’s first overtime game was in 2002 as Barry Alvarez’ Wisconsin team outlasted Colorado 31-28.
HALVES AND HALVE NOTS
The Valero Alamo Bowl experienced its usual array of offensive yards and points as TCU and Oregon pushed the game into overtime knotted at 31. It was how the two teams got to 62 points that was unusual. Oregon scored 31 points while holding the Horned Frogs scoreless in the game’s opening half. TCU played the scoring aggressor in the second half leaping right back into the game with a 31 point scoring explosion, while holding the Ducks scoreless. It is the first time in Valero Alamo Bowl history that a team has been held scoreless at halftime and then held its opponent scoreless in the second half. The Frogs’ 31 unanswered points was also the most consecutive points score in bowl history.
BUCKING THE TREND
Oregon scored the first 31 points of the 2016 Valero Alamo Bowl but TCU score the most points as the Horned Frogs blew past the Ducks in the second half and won in triple overtime. Oregon came into the game 6-1 this season when scoring first and 23-1 under Coach Mark Helfrich when drawing first blood but the TCU was able to withstand the Ducks early surge and win in the end.
PERFECT PATTERSON
After TCU’s 47-41 triple-overtime win in the 2014 Valero Alamo Bowl, Gary Patterson is now 5-0 against Pac 12 opponents.
BRAM RAMS IT IN THE END ZONE
TCU quarterback Bram Kohlhausen scored his first career rushing touchdown on a 2-yard scramble late in the third quarter of the 2016 Valero Alamo Bowl. The fourth down play capped a 7-play drive and gave the Horned Frogs 17 unanswered points in the third quarter.
KICKING DOWN HISTORY’S DOOR
With a 24-yard field goal to open the second half, TCU’s senior place kicker Jaden Oberkrom set the Big 12 record for most field goals made with 76 total for his career. Oberkrom connected on two more field goals, one tying the game with 19 seconds remaining in regulation, and the other coming in the second overtime as his 44-yard kick knotted the score at 41 forcing a third and final overtime.
Going Out With A Bang
Bram Kohlhausen saved his best game for his last game as a Horned Frog in the 2016 Valero Alamo Bowl. The senior quarterback racked up 351 passing yards on 28-45 passing with two touchdowns through the air. He also added 45 yards and two scores on the ground. His 351 passing yards marked the 8th time in bowl game history a quarterback threw for 300 or more yards.
RUN HOME AARON
Senior TCU running back and San Antonio native Aaron Green rushed for 101 yards on 25 carries and one touchdown in the 2016 Valero Alamo Bowl. This was Green’s sixth 100-yard effort this season and the 10th of his career.
HOWARD HAULS IN TACKLES, HONORS
Travin Howard led the way for the Horned Frogs defense throughout the night, tallying 13 total tackles, one sack and 1.5 tackles for loss. Howard’s effort earned him 2016 Valero Alamo Bow Defensive MVP honors. His 13 tackles were his second highest total this season, only behind his 19-tackle performance against Baylor. His first half sack was the first of his career.
BEND BUT DON’T BREAK
The TCU defense surrendered 376 total yards and 31 points to Oregon’s offense in the first half. It was a different story, however, after halftime. The Frogs held Oregon to just 43 yards in the second half, and didn’t allow a score until the overtime periods.
RUNNING AWAY WITH IT
Oregon running back Royce Freeman moved to first place in Oregon single season rushing yards with his 130-yard rushing performance in Oregon’s 47-41 loss against TCU in the 2016 Valero Alamo Bowl. The sophomore runner passed Duck legends LaMichael James, Kenjon Barner and Jonathan Stewart to move into sole possession of first place. He now has 1,836 yards this season and 17 100-yard rushing games in his short career.
MR. EFFICIENCY
Before the leaving the game with an injury, Oregon quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. continued his trend of impressive passing performances with 197 yards and a touchdown, completing 13 of his 19 passes. Adams came into the 2016 Valero Alamo Bowl leading the nation in passing efficiency with a 179.57 rating.
MR. TOUCHDOWN
Royce Freeman scored three rushing touchdowns in the 2016 Valero Alamo Bowls to move into a tie for fifth place in Oregon history for single season rushing TDs. Freeman, who has 17 rushing touchdowns and two receiving TDs this season, also moved into a tie for fourth place in single season total TDs, equaling his own mark from one year ago.
DID I CATCH A NINER IN THERE?
Freshman do-it-all running back Shaun Nixon caught nine passes for 71 yards in TCU’s 47-41 win in the 2016 Valero Alamo Bowl. His nine receptions matched a career-high set against Oklahoma State earlier this season.
CAN’T SEE DEFOREST FOR THE SACKS
DeForest Buckner registered the 18th sack of his Duck career in the 2016 Valero Alamo Bowl to move into a tie for tenth place all-time in Oregon career sacks. The senior defensive end also ranks ninth in career tackles for a loss at Oregon.
AHMAD AIN’T MAD ATCHA
With his three rushing touchdowns in the 2016 Valero Alamo Bowl, Royce Freeman moved past Oregon and NFL legend Ahmad Rashad in career total touchdowns, placing him fifth on the Ducks all-time list. The sophomore running back now has 37 touchdowns in his Duck career.
A CITY SO NICE HE COACHED HERE TWICE
Mark Helfrich made his second appearance in the Valero Alamo Bowl as Oregon head coach in the Ducks’ 47-41 loss in the 2016 Valero Bowl. Helfrich joins coaching greats Joe Paterno, Hayden Fry, Bill Snyder, Lloyd Carr, R.C. Slocum, Frank Solich, Joe Tiller and Kirk Ferentz. Helfrich coached the Ducks to 30-7 win against the Texas Longhorns in his first appearance at the Valero Alamo Bowl, beating Texas coach Mack Brown, who leads all coaches with three Alamo Bowl appearances.
WE’RE GOING STREAKING!
The Oregon Ducks continued their streak of consecutive games with a passing touchdown when Vernon Adams connected with Darren Carrington for a 37-yard TD in the first quarter of the 2016 Valero Alamo Bowl. The Ducks have had a TD pass in 81 consecutive games dating back to September 4, 2010, when Darron Thomas threw two TD passes in a 72-0 win against New Mexico. The streak is the longest ever and broke a 69 consecutive game mark set by Texas Tech from Sept. 23, 2006 to Oct. 22, 2011.
WHY WAIT?
Oregon’s 31-0 first quarter lead against TCU in the 2016 Valero Alamo Bowl set a record for the largest first half deficit in Alamo Bowl history. The first quarter throttling bested UCLA’s 31-6 lead in last year’s Alamo Bowl. Oregon jumped to a 21-0 lead in the first quarter, also marking the largest first quarter deficit in Valero Alamo Bowl history. The first quarter scoring blast tied an Alamo Bowl record for most first quarter points, equaling the mark set by Baylor in its 67-56 win in the 2011 Valero Alamo Bowl.
HALFWAY TO NOWHERE
Oregon blanked TCU 31-0 in the first half of the 2016 Valero Alamo Bowl, marking the first time the Horned Frogs have been shut out in the first half of a game this season. Oregon jumped to a 21-0 lead in the first quarter, also marking the first time the Horned Frogs have been shut out in a quarter this season.
UNFAMILIAR TERRITORY
Oregon’s 31-0 first half lead against TCU in the 2016 Valero Alamo Bowl is the only first opening half shutout in the Alamo Bowl since Penn State’s 14-0 lead in the 1999 bowl.
FULL NELSON
Oregon wide receiver Charles Nelson moved to third in single season kick return yards with 14-yard return on the opening play of the 2016 Valero Alamo Bowl. Nelson, who had 120 return yards in Oregon’s 47-41 loss against TCU, passed Chris Oldham on the all-time list, trailing only Kenjon Barner and De’Anthony Thomas.
