University Southern California Trojans
USC
9-4 , 7-2
TCU
9-4 , 5-4
No. 16 USC Football Falls To TCU In Overtime Thriller At Valero Alamo Bowl, 30-27
December 30, 2025 | Football
SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Ken Seals passed for 258 yards and the game-winning touchdown in overtime as TCU rallied to beat No. 16 USC Football 30-27 on Tuesday night in the Alamo Bowl.
After being sacked for a 10-yard loss on second down, Seals was facing third-and-20 from the 35 when he found running back Jeremy Payne with a short toss in the left flat. Payne caught the ball at the line of scrimmage and wriggled past four defenders, breaking multiple tackles as he bolted down the sideline into the end zone.
A sixth-year senior completing his collegiate career, Seals was named Offensive MVP for leading his hometown team to victory.
Payne had six catches for 50 yards and the game-ending touchdown. He also rushed for 73 yards and a TD on 13 carries.
Seals directed a 13-play, 59-yard drive in the final 2:44 of regulation to force overtime on a 27-yard field goal by Kyle Lemmermann as time expired.
It was the fourth overtime in the bowl's 33-year history.
TCU (9-4) limited USC (9-4) to a field goal on the opening possession of OT despite incurring a pass-interference call in the end zone that gave the Trojans a first down at the 2-yard line.
Trojans junior quarterback Jayden Maiava passed for 280 yards and a touchdown but threw two interceptions.
USC failed to score early in the third quarter following an interception by Christian Pierce. The drive ended when Maiava's pass was intercepted in the end zone.
Jaden Richardson scored on a one-handed grab for USC in the front left corner of the end zone with 49 seconds remaining in the third. Richardson reached back with his right arm as he was falling backward, pulling the ball into his chest and tapping his right foot inbounds for a 21-yard touchdown reception from Maiava.
ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED?!
— USC Football ✌️ (@uscfb) December 31, 2025
📺 ESPN pic.twitter.com/nPaPnZ0QTK
Taniela Tupou's two-point reception extended USC's lead to 21-14.
TCU grabbed a 14-13 lead in the first half on a pair of short rushing touchdowns that capped 75-yard drives.
Jon Denman opened the scoring with a 5-yard run with 13:36 remaining in the second quarter.
Seals added a second touchdown nine minutes later on a 1-yard run.
USC: The Trojans failed to win 10 games for the third straight season.
TCU: The Horned Frogs had a prolific offense this season but must start anew next year. TCU lost offensive coordinator Kendal Briles to South Carolina, starting quarterback Josh Hoover entered the transfer portal and top wide receiver Eric McAlister is headed to the NFL.
USC: Will host Fresno State on Sept. 5 next year in what could be the first game of Maiava's Heisman Trophy campaign.
Team Stats
USC 3, TCU 0
USC - Sayeri,Ryon 40 yd field goal 7 plays, 50 yards, TOP 03:46
USC 3, TCU 7
TCU - Denman,Jon 5 yd run (Lemmermann,Kyle kick), 9 plays, 69 yards, TOP 03:55
USC 10, TCU 7
USC - Miller,King 2 yd run (Sayeri,Ryon kick), 7 plays, 75 yards, TOP 03:39
USC 10, TCU 14
TCU - Seals,Ken 1 yd run (Lemmermann,Kyle kick), 13 plays, 75 yards, TOP 04:59
USC 13, TCU 14
USC - Sayeri,Ryon 28 yd field goal 10 plays, 64 yards, TOP 04:40
USC 21, TCU 14
USC - Richardson,Jaden 21 yd pass from Maiava,Jayden (Tupou,Taniela pass) 5 plays, 73 yards, TOP 03:02
USC 24, TCU 14
USC - Sayeri,Ryon 41 yd field goal 8 plays, 46 yards, TOP 05:05
USC 24, TCU 21
TCU - Payne,Jeremy 5 yd run (Lemmermann,Kyle kick), 11 plays, 75 yards, TOP 05:13
USC 24, TCU 24
TCU - Lemmermann,Kyle 27 yd field goal 13 plays, 59 yards, TOP 02:44
USC 27, TCU 24
USC - Sayeri,Ryon 22 yd field goal 6 plays, 20 yards, TOP 00:00
USC 27, TCU 30
TCU - Payne,Jeremy 35 yd pass from Seals,Ken () 3 plays, 25 yards, TOP 00:00
