Arlington, Texas — no. 10 No. 1 Kansas 4 TCU won the 2022 Big 12 championship game 31-28 in overtime, marking the second loss for a team expected to make the College Football Playoff heading into conference championship weekend. The Wildcats kept the Horned Frogs out of the end zone in three straight games at the goal line and scored the game-winning goal in their overtime run to end TCU’s perfect season.
The Big 12 title belongs to Kansas State for the first time since 2012 and the Frogs’ first league title since 2003.
TCU quarterback Max Duggan brought the game to the goal line, with a possible lead in the opening stages of overtime. Running back Kend Miller appeared to drive the ball into the end zone on the third down, but the play was not reviewed despite the injury suspension. Kansas State then went down for the fourth time in the backfield, allowing the Wildcats to recover the ball and ensure that any score would win.
TCU trailed 28-20 with less than 3 minutes left, but Dugan almost single-handedly pushed the game into overtime with one of the best individual offenses of the college football season. Dugan fought hard in the third and 15th quarters and the second and 20th quarters, culminating in a touchdown run and a 2-point conversion pass to tie the game at 28 and into overtime. Dugan went for 95 yards on the 80-yard drive (thanks to free throws), though his effort ultimately fell short.
Dugan finished in the loss with 251 passing yards, 110 rushing yards and two total touchdowns. Kansas State RB Deuce Vaughn led the way with 130 rushing yards, 30 receiving yards and a key touchdown. TCU wide receiver Quentin Johnston finished with 139 yards.
TCU’s playoff status
According to CBS Sports Bowl expert Jerry Palm, the Horned Frogs all but locked in a CFP bid ahead of the Big 12 title game, one of three undefeated Big Five teams heading into the weekend. Despite their loss on Saturday, they are still expected to secure a place in the four-team competition once it is declared on Sunday. TCU is capped at No. 1 and it wins if Georgia and Michigan State lose. However, considering that TCU had already beaten top-10 Kansas opponents in the regular season, it was an overtime loss and the Froggers would likely go into the playoffs with a No. 1 finish. 3 ahead of Ohio State, which is projected to occupy the final spot.
CBS Sports will update this story with more from the Big 12 championship game.