There was no time for a New Year’s Eve siesta if you were watching the Fiesta Bowl between TCU and Michigan on Saturday.
Especially in the third quarter when 44 points were scored.
The schools scored 6 touchdowns — 6! — over 6:29 before the quarter lapsed.
Here is how wild 15 minutes went:
First, Ronnie Bell, a 34-yard pass from J.J. McCarthy off a flea-flicker.
MICHIGAN FLEA FLICKER!!! JJ McCarthy ➡️ Ronnie Bell for the 34 yard TD! #FiestaBowl pic.twitter.com/0tEuSmcPYP
— 𝗙𝗢𝗟𝗟𝗢𝗪 @𝗙𝗧𝗕𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗱𝟳 (@FTBeard7) December 31, 2022
Then, Emari Demarcado capped a long drive with a 1-yard run.
What a response by TCU!! Emari Demercado 1 yard TD run! #FiestaBowl pic.twitter.com/iGG0hlC8fl
— 𝗙𝗢𝗟𝗟𝗢𝗪 @𝗙𝗧𝗕𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗱𝟳 (@FTBeard7) December 31, 2022
McCarthy threw his second pick-six of the game, this one went to Dee Winters, who returned it 29 yards for the score.
🚨TCU WITH ANOTHER PICK SIX!!!🚨 Dee Winters makes a ridiculous play and returns it for the 29 yard TD! 🔥🔥🔥 #TCU #FiestaBowl pic.twitter.com/frlFlUUHSW
— 𝗙𝗢𝗟𝗟𝗢𝗪 @𝗙𝗧𝗕𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗱𝟳 (@FTBeard7) December 31, 2022
McCarthy bounced back from his gaffe with a 20-yard run to make it 34-22, TCU.
Michigan's scoring drive:
– JJ McCarthy 39 yard run
– JJ McCarthy 20 yard TD run
– TCU stops Michigan's 2 point attempt#FiestaBowl pic.twitter.com/k8aLyAYmvm— 𝗙𝗢𝗟𝗟𝗢𝗪 @𝗙𝗧𝗕𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗱𝟳 (@FTBeard7) December 31, 2022
Demercado broke a 69-yard run to set up Duggan’s 1-yard score.
TCU!! Emari Demercado 69 yard run, next play Max Duggan gets in for the 1 yard TD!! 🔥 #FiestaBowl pic.twitter.com/kG3fyJf51z
— 𝗙𝗢𝗟𝗟𝗢𝗪 @𝗙𝗧𝗕𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗱𝟳 (@FTBeard7) December 31, 2022
Michigan then went 75 yards in 3 plays with Kalel Mullings scoring from a yard out after a long pass to Ronnie Bell.
MICHIGAN! JJ McCarthy to Ronnie Bell for 44 yards!! It was originally ruled a TD, but they reviewed it and ruled he was down at the 1 yard line! #Michigan #FiestaBowl pic.twitter.com/zP0p7Yhc5k
— 𝗙𝗢𝗟𝗟𝗢𝗪 @𝗙𝗧𝗕𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗱𝟳 (@FTBeard7) December 31, 2022
And if that wasn’t enough, TCU lost a fumble on the final play of the third quarter and Michigan scored on an 18-yard run by Roman Wilson in the first minute of the final quarter.
A 2-point conversion had TCU with a tenuous 41-38 lead in the final quarter.
Whew.