The TCU Horned Frogs defense had a terrible time against the Georgia Bulldogs offense early on in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game.
The TCU Horned Frogs shocked the college football world when they defeated the Michigan Wolverines in the Fiesta Bowl 51-45. With that win, the Horned Frogs advanced to the College Football Playoff National Championship Game. To win their first national championship, TCU would need to defeat the Georgia Bulldogs, the defending champions.
Well, TCU’s defense had a miserable time in the first half against Georgia’s offense. How badly? They trailed 38-7 at halftime. Tight end Brock Bowers bullied his way past multiple Horned Frogs defenders. Wide receiver Ladd McConkey had a walk-in touchdown. Quarterback Stetson Bennett ran for two touchdowns.
College football fans and media reacted to how poorly the first half has gone for the Horned Frogs defense.
CFB Twitter trolls TCU defense for getting cooked by Georgia offense in CFP National Championship Game
TCU's defense right now pic.twitter.com/4RClKyNoM2
— Mina Kimes (@minakimes) January 10, 2023
TCU finding out real quick they aren't playing a Big 10 team.
— Peter Burns (@PeterBurnsESPN) January 10, 2023
Gonna need to keep Georgia under 10 yards a play if this is gonna happen, TCU. pic.twitter.com/I9pPZT0E9A
— Sickos Committee (@SickosCommittee) January 10, 2023
TCU would have finished 5th in the SEC East this season
— SEC Mike (@MichaelWBratton) January 10, 2023
How to beat TCU 101 pic.twitter.com/zsmq4kxZ0D
— Josh Augdahl 〽️ (@UMFanAugdahl) January 10, 2023
TCU trying to figure out what's going on rn pic.twitter.com/QCbk3qHVEb
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) January 10, 2023
Minutes ago, TCU went into the portal and secured a commitment from TaDainian Lomlinson. Eligible immediately — like, now pic.twitter.com/7CdLW0FNxn
— Justin Toscano (@JustinCToscano) January 10, 2023
TCU’s defense trying to stop Georgia in the national championship: pic.twitter.com/T5egzlwz1j
— Legion Sports Management (@thelegionsm) January 10, 2023
TCU's defense in the 1st quarter
— PFF College (@PFF_College) January 10, 2023
pic.twitter.com/rShDogq5Dt
It was not a great time for TCU’s defense, which runs in a 3-3-5 scheme under coordinator Joe Gillespie.
Bowers feasted in the first half, catching five passes for 102 yards. As mentioned earlier, McConkey found himself wide open in the defensive backfield to pick up the 37-yard reception. Wide receiver Adonai Mitchell made a fantastic one-handed catch in the end zone for Georgia’s second receiving touchdown of the first half.
Bennett completed 13-of-17 pass attempts for 213 yards and two touchdowns while running for 39 yards and two touchdowns on just three carries.
Georgia picked up 354 yards of total offense and averaged 9.3 yards per play.
It was about as bad of a first half you could expect a team to have. The Horned Frogs need a miracle to overcome this large of a deficit.
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