Liberty Bowl, Georgia vs TCU: Highlights, score and recap
By John Buhler
The Georgia Bulldogs defeat the TCU Horned Frogs 31-23 in the 2016 AutoZone Liberty Bowl. Georgia improves to 8-5, while TCU stumbles to 6-7.
TCU would take a 16-14 lead over Georgia into halftime of the 2016 AutoZone Liberty Bowl. Georgia would get on the board first with a nice goal-line score from running back Sony Michel set up by a 77-yard reception from wide receiver Isaiah McKenzie.
From there, Georgia quarterback Jacob Eason would struggle with his accuracy for much of the first half. Georgia wouldn’t orchestrate a meaningful drive until late in the second quarter. Capped off by a Michel 33-yard touchdown reception to make it 16-14 TCU after the made PAT.
TCU leaned on quarterback Kenny Hill to make plays as a dual-threat passer to give the Horned Frogs the lead. He would take it in himself on a 10-yard scamper to give TCU the lead. Hill would extend it to 16-7 with a nice touchdown pass to wide receiver John Diarse.
Georgia would force a turnover on a strip sack by linebacker Lorenzo Carter on Hill. The Bulldogs would push to try to take the lead late in the first half, but would see Blankenship’s 53-yard field goal attempt blocked to keep it 16-14 heading into the second half.
TCU would take the opening kickoff in the second half. Near midfield, Horned Frogs running back Kyle Hicks would fumble on another strip from Carter and Georgia would recover.
While attempting a field goal, holder Brice Ramsey would convert the fourth and six on an 11-yard run. This set up a third-down touchdown pass from Eason to wide receiver Javon Wims to make it 21-16 Georgia after the Blankenship PAT.
TCU would get the ball back and put together a well-executed 11-play drive. The Horned Frogs went for it on fourth and one in the red zone. Shortly after converting the fourth and one, Hill would find Diarse for a crazy catch in the end zone to make it 23-21 TCU. Georgia would take the 24-23 lead on its next possession thanks to a Blankenship field goal set up by a 44-yard run by Nick Chubb.
The Horned Frogs would try to take the lead on another field goal attempt by Brandon Hatfield, but would miss the 47-yard attempt. Friday was not a good kicking day for Hatfield and the Horned Frogs.
Georgia would take over possession and would score the game-sealing touchdown on a 13-yard run by Chubb. TCU would get the ball back down 31-23, but would turn the ball over on downs near a minute remaining.
Overall, Georgia’s pass rush, ground game, and TCU’s inability to execute on special teams were the difference in this one score game down in Memphis. Georgia improves to 8-5, while TCU falls to 6-7 on the season.
Three Stars
- Nick Chubb: Chubb had a great game for the Bulldogs. He had 17 carries for 142 yards and a rushing touchdown.
- Sony Michel: Michel was the spark plug for the Georgia offense early. He had 15 carries for 87 yards and a touchdown. As a receiver, Michel had two catches for 39 yards and a touchdown.
- Kenny Hill: Hill was great for the TCU offense. He completed 18 of 27 passes for 146 yards and two passing touchdowns. As a runner, Hill carried the football 17 times for 72 yards and a touchdown.
Highlights
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