TCU is heading back to San Antonio for its third berth in the Valero Alamo Bowl, a game that sparks incredible memories of comebacks and celebrations for Horned Frog fans. Adding to the narrative this time around is USC – the bluest of blue-blood opponents, whom TCU took down close to three decades ago in a game largely credited with being the turning point for TCU football.

A Bowl Game That Shifted the Trajectory

TCU’s appearance in the 1998 Sun Bowl was significant simply for the invitation, as it represented just the third bowl invitation the Frogs had received dating back to 1966. The Frogs hadn’t won a bowl game since 1957. TCU entered the contest as 19.5-point underdogs to the mighty USC Trojans, but came away as 28-19 winners.

Basil Mitchell rushed for 185 yards and a pair of touchdowns, while TCU’s defense held the Trojans to just 12 first downs and negative rushing yards. Quarterback Patrick Batteaux added two rushing touchdowns of his own.

“I think when we won, we knew we had done something big,” said Landry Burdine, a safety and captain on that 1998 team. “But we also knew that we had a lot of talent coming back, and for the first time it felt like we had a chance to continue building on our success.”

The Sun Bowl win started a streak of six consecutive bowl appearances, the second-longest stretch in program history. Since 1998, TCU has appeared in 23 postseason games, more than doubling the program’s total. 

 San Antonio Brings Out the Drama

Two of those bowl games since 1998 have come at the Alamodome, and both turned into instant classics. TCU’s 47-41 triple-overtime victory over No. 15 Oregon in the 2016 Alamo Bowl saw the Horned Frogs come back from a 31-0 halftime deficit.

In the only start of his career, quarterback Bram Kohlhausen orchestrated the largest comeback in college football bowl history, throwing for 351 yards and two touchdowns, while rushing for two more, en route to earning Alamo Bowl Offensive MVP honors.

It was fitting, in many ways, that an overlooked, backup quarterback navigated TCU to one of the more impressive, memorable victories of the decade.

“That’s kind of the TCU way,” said Brian Estridge, longtime broadcaster and voice of the Horned Frogs. “Just when you’ve counted them out, they find their way back.”

Two seasons later, the Frogs found themselves back in San Antonio, this time facing off against No. 15 Stanford. Trailing 21-3 in the second quarter, quarterback Kenny Hill brought the Frogs back while recording a passing, receiving and rushing touchdown, becoming one of the few players ever to score a touchdown in three different ways in the same game.

TCU went on to beat Standford, 39-38.

Why This USC Game Feels Different

Nearly three decades after the Sun Bowl, TCU and USC meet again. A lot has changed since then. USC is now a member of the Big Ten, making one of the biggest realignment moves in college athletics ahead of the 2024 season. TCU is now one of the longest-tenured members of the Big 12, long departed, but not detached, from its journey through the WAC, Conference USA and Mountain West.  

And yet, the Trojans remain one of college football’s premier national brands, while TCU looks to build on a strong finish to the regular season and put another feather in its proverbial cap. 

 “The Alamo Bowl will be a tremendous experience for our student-athletes and fans,” said Mike Buddie, TCU’s director of intercollegiate athletics. “San Antonio brings out something special in TCU, and our fans help turn it into an atmosphere no one wants to miss.”

Don’t Miss This Moment in TCU’s Next Chapter

Some of TCU’s biggest postseason moments have happened right here in Texas — and this one has all the makings of another. Join the Frogs in San Antonio, and be a part of the next great TCU memory.

Get your Alamo Bowl tickets here.