TCU Grinds Out OT Victory vs. California in 2018 Cheez-It Bowl

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TCU salvaged a disappointing season with a 10-7 overtime win over California in the 2018 Cheez-It Bowl.

Sewo Olonilua rushed for 194 yards and a touchdown to lead the Horned Frogs to victory in a wild matchup Wednesday. The teams combined for nine interceptions and 15 punts, but Jonathan Song helped secure the win with a 27-yard field goal in the first overtime.

Those watching along were certainly enjoying the wildness throughout:

The bowl game, formerly known as the Cactus Bowl, was played at Chase Field in Phoenix as one of two games this postseason played at a baseball stadium (Pinstripe Bowl).

TCU (7-6) avoided a losing record on the season, something the team has only done three times in 19 years under Gary Patterson. California finished with a 7-6 record in the second year under Justin Wilcox.

Both teams came into the game with quality defenses but questionable offenses, neither averaging more than 25 points per game.

This lack of balance was obvious throughout the game, as both sides struggled to move the football consistently.

The turnovers were especially prevalent, starting with a miserable first half:

There was a stretch of interceptions on four straight possessions, with six total before halftime.

It didn’t get any worse than this failed trick play that became a turnover:

Jaylinn Hawkins had three interceptions as part of an impressive effort from the Golden Bears defense.

Third-string quarterback Grayson Muehlstein struggled mightily for TCU, finishing 7-of-20 for 27 yards and four picks. He had three interceptions and just four completions in the first half for only 10 yards and didn’t do much more in the second.

However, the team relied upon the rushing attack to move the football and eventually get onto the scoreboard.

After Cal scored the only touchdown in the first half on a four-yard run by quarterback Chase Garbers, the Horned Frogs were finally able to tie the game at the end of the third quarter with a one-yard run by Olonilua.

TCU ran the ball on all seven plays of the scoring drive, including a Wildcat run to convert a fourth down.

This production was enough to force overtime despite TCU having just 24 passing yards in regulation.

After Chase Forrest threw his second interception for California in overtime—giving the team five for the game when added to the three from Garbers—the Horned Frogs took advantage of the opportunity and never gave the ball back.

Neither team played well offensively, but Olonilua was the difference in the second half and overtime to help TCU secure its fourth bowl win in the last five years. After an injury-filled season, the squad will hope for more luck in 2019 while returning a lot of young talent.

Cal will also bring back several notable players on both sides of the ball, which could help make the team a legitimate contender in the Pac-12 next season.