Best TCU Moments Bracket: Pebley Region Round of 32

My apologies for the delay in getting this last round of 32 region out. Holy Week has really brought it this year.

Let’s see who we’ve lost in this region already.

[Fire and Rain by James Taylor starts playing]

#7 Berry Tip-In vs. UT

#8 “I’m That Guy”

#11 Carraway Fumble TD

#12 Kenny Hill Trifecta

#13 Reagor Hail Mary vs. SMU

#14 Oberkrom FG vs. WVU

#15 Ryan Merrill Walk-Off vs. A&M

#16 Boise State missed FG seals TCU win

Rest In Peace. Let’s move on to the Round of 32.

#1 Coming Home vs. #9 Barzilli Walk-Off vs. NC State

Coming Home - TCU Joins Big 12

When TCU was shunted to the side after the Southwest Conference dissolved, it started a desert-like wandering that took the Frogs through Conference USA, the WAC, and the Mountain West.

A brief period of dating the Big East gave Frog Fans hope that things like an “automatic BCS bid” was there for the taking, but the dream call finally came when the Big 12 extended an invitation for TCU to come home.

Chris Del Conte’s work to get the Frogs where they are today cannot be understated, and the day they announced TCU was joining the Big 12 is absolutely a premier moment in the history of TCU Athletics.

Elliott Barzilli’s Walk-Off vs. NC State (2015)

This game was absolutely insane. The Frogs trailed North Carolina State 8-1 in the eighth inning. Then the Wolfpack completely collapsed. Two RBI singles, plus a walk, a balk, and a passed ball brought the Frogs to within 8-7. In the ninth another passed ball allowed Derek Odell to score and tie the game.

Which sets us up for this moment. A runner on third and the infield playing in, Barzilli stepped up to the plate. He slapped a ball into right field, the run came home to score, and TCU’s comeback was complete.

Adding to the weight of Barzilli’s hit - without this comeback TCU would not have hosted Texas A&M in the 2015 Super Regionals. They would not have had a Game 3 walkout (another moment in this region), and they would not have gone to the College World Series.

#4 TCU Walks-Off A&M (2015) vs. #5 Jet Breaks UT’s Ankles

TCU walks-off Texas A&M in 2015 Super Regional

There are several things at play in this moment. First, there’s a pretty clear understanding that Evan Skoug should have ended the game two innings earlier. He absolutely roped a ball, and had it not deflected off of the Aggie pitcher, that might be the moment in this bracket instead of this one.

But two innings later Skoug got another chance. With two runners on and two outs, Skoug hit a hard, bouncing grounder down the third base line. A&M’s third baseman ranged back to field it, but it bounced a few feet away from him.

Garrett Crain boldly (and probably unadvisedly) rounded third and headed for home. The third baseman recovered, and fired the ball toward home plate. If the catcher snags it, Cain is out by several feet. But the ball skipped away to the backstop, and TCU advanced to the College World Series.

Darius Anderson jukes Texas safety, scores TD

TCU came into this game 7-1, ranked No. 8 in the country, and looking to bounce back from a rough 14-7 loss to Iowa State the week before. The defense looked strong out of the gate as it had all season, holding Texas to just seven points in the first half. TCU’s offense struggled, though, looking inconsistent on the night.

Leading by 10 late in the fourth quarter, TCU faced a 4th and 1 in Texas’ territory. Rather than attempting a field goal, the Frogs went for it. Darius Anderson took the handoff, broke through the line, and then absolutely put a Texas safety on skates - zipping past him and into the end zone.

The touchdown would be the final score of TCU’s 24-7 victory.

#3 Paul Dawson Pick-6 vs. OU vs. #6 McFarland Peach Bowl Pick-6

Paul Dawson’s Pick-6 vs. Oklahoma

When No. 4 Oklahoma came to Fort Worth in 2014, we were all still discovering just how good that 2014 Frog team was. They broke into the Top 25 the week prior, following a 56-0 win over SMU, but the Sooners were the first major test of the year.

With the game knotted at 31 early in the fourth quarter, the Frogs turned to one of their defensive leaders to make a play. And he did. Paul Dawson’s touchdown was the game winning score for the Frogs in the end.

James McFarland End Zone Interception

In a game full of crazy plays, TCU’s rout of Ole Miss in the 2014 Peach Bowl had it all. Double passes, Boykin Jukes, defensive stands. And there was James McFarland, taking full advantage of his teammates destroying Bo Wallace by catching Wallace’s desperation floater for a pick six.

#2 Bram’s Alamo Bowl OT TD vs. #10 Morrison’s 88-pitch complete game

Bram mixes it up with TD run vs. Oregon

The TCU-Oregon Alamo Bowl has been talked about by Frog fans so much, there’s almost nothing left to say about it. Bram Kohlhausen will always be a legend because of his performance in this one, and his third overtime touchdown run was TCU’s winning score.

Preston Morrison’s 88-pitch complete game shutout

Preston Morrison is arguably one of TCU’s most dominant pitchers of all time. He threw five complete game shutouts in his career, but his effort against Arizona State in 2015 stands above the others. It took him just 88 pitches (read: less than ten pitches per inning) to dispose of the top-10 ranked Sun Devils. He retired 27 of the last 25 batters he faced.

It was a phenomenal effort from an extraordinary pitcher