USC’s choke job during Tuesday’s Alamo Bowl against TCU was one that fans from both sides will have a hard time forgetting anytime soon.
The No. 16 Trojans were a couple of stops away from fending off a furious Horned Frogs comeback at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. TCU remained outside field goal range, trailing 27-24 in overtime.
Facing 3rd-and-20 from USC’s 35, TCU quarterback Ken Seals opted for a checkdown to running back Jeremy Payne, seemingly content to give kicker Kyle Lemmermann a better shot at tying the game with a field goal.
Payne had other ideas. Rather than go for the safe play, the sophomore went for USC’s jugular, breaking multiple tackles for a game-ending touchdown to give TCU a 30-27 victory in overtime.
TCU BEATS USC ON AN UNBELIEVABLE PLAY IN OVERTIME.
— CFB Kings (@CFBKings) December 31, 2025
WHAT A FINISH ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/HqTMu5v24H
Fans were quick to pile on the Trojans for their team-wide inability to bring down Payne, who initially looked like he was going to be tackled just a few yards past the line of scrimmage.
USC fans : “it’s 3rd & 20 let’s get a stop”
— 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘯 (@xJahstin) December 31, 2025
USC defense trying to stop Jeremy Payne : pic.twitter.com/ia6dPQBQGL
3rd and 20 and you let this happen? Immediate cut.
— Brad Haines (@coachhaines22) December 31, 2025
USC choked double digit lead and then in OT go up the middle on the 2 multiple times and have their best player who had 200 yards on the sideline.
Coaching malpractice. pic.twitter.com/Yd1UDRk9TS
USC losses to TCU on a 3rd & 20 touchdown due to 1000 missed tackles. Embarrassing way to finish a season to say the least #FightOn✌🏽
— Su’a Kristopher Cravens (@SuaKCravens) December 31, 2025
This play is usc football the last 15 years in a nutshell. It’s comedy at this point. https://t.co/tPHXBUG4lR
— Kirk Langley Jr. (@KLangley_15) December 31, 2025
USC entered the game as the favorite and looked the part until about five minutes left in the contest. The Trojans led 24-14 at that point, but allowed a touchdown and a last-second field goal to send the game to an extra period.
The Texas-based team winning in dramatic fashion feels like a fitting end to this year’s Alamo Bowl.
