GLENDALE, Ariz. (Michigan News Source) – The magical season for the University of Michigan came to an end on New Year’s Eve as the Wolverines fell short of their goal of playing in the national championship game. Having a chance in the final minute to go for the win, Texas Christian held off Michigan, 51-45, stopping the Wolverines on a fourth down with 25 seconds left.

Michigan ends 2022 at 13-1 holding the best single-season record in 143 years of football. Both teams combined for 96 points and 1,012 yards including a record-breaking third quarter of 44 points scored. Michigan finished the game with 528 yards of total offense as J.J. McCarthy threw for a career-high 343 yards.

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Donovan Edwards had his fifth 100-yard game of the year with 119 yards on 23 carries but no touchdowns. Ronnie Bell finished with 135 yards receiving on six receptions and Roman Wilson had 104 yards receiving on five catches as both recorded touchdowns. Rod Moore led the defense with 12 tackles and an interception. Mike Sainristil also had an interception and Makari Paige a sack.

The game came down to turnovers that were converted to points as TCU had two McCarthy interceptions returned for touchdowns. The Horned Frog defense then forced a fumble at their own one-yard line in the second quarter as Michigan was going in for a touchdown to keep it at 14-3.

TCU took a 14-0 lead in the first quarter and then extended it to 21-3 with 4:56 left in the second quarter. Jake Moody hit a career-long and program record 59-yard field goal to end the half as the Wolverines trailed, 21-6, at the half.

It was the third quarter that the defenses received no rest as 44 points were scored. TCU went up 34-16 with 2:52 remaining but Michigan scored twice in the final two minutes as the Horned Frogs did once for a 41-30 lead. McCarthy had a 20-yard run to pull within 12, 34-22, with 1:47 left. A minute later, TCU scored on a one-yard run to push the lead back to 19, 41-22. Kalel Mullings then had a one-yard run with three seconds left as McCarthy converted the two-point play making it an 11-point game, 41-30, going into the fourth quarter.

At the end of third quarter, Mazi Smith forced a fumble and recovered it at the TCU 25-yard line giving momentum back to Michigan. Two plays later, Wilson rushed in from 18-yards out and Ronnie Bell made the two-point conversion as the Wolverines were within a field goal, 41-38, with 14:13 left in the game. TCU scored on their next two possessions with a 76-yard touchdown pass and a 33-yard field goal making it 51-38 with 10:02 left.

After going three-and-out on the ensuing possession, Michigan’s defense stopped TCU’s offense with 6:46 to go in the game. McCarthy then took his team 56 yards in nine plays ending on a Wilson reception from five-yards out to pull within six, 51-45. With only 3:14 left in the game, TCU took over. They ran the clock down to 52 seconds left on a 50-yard punt to the Michigan 25-yard line. McCarthy took over for a five-yard rush. An incomplete pass and a false start set up a third-and-10 which led to an incomplete pass. A confused play on fourth-and-10 and a targeting review that was denied ended Michigan’s hope for a comeback win as they turned the ball over on downs ending the game.

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A storied career for Moody came to an end as the all-time points leader with 147 points breaking Desmond Howards record from 1991.

Michigan’s 2022 season will be one to remember with back-to-back Big Ten Championships and consecutive trips to the playoffs.