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USC Trojans to face TCU Horned Frogs in Alamo Bowl to finish 2025 season

Erik-McKinneyby: Erik McKinney15 hours agoErikTMcKinney

The USC Trojans will take on the TCU Horned Frogs in the Valero Alamo Bowl on December 30, according to On3’s Brett McMurphy.

This will be USC’s first-ever trip to the Alamo Bowl. TCU played in back-to-back Alamo Bowls in the 2016 and 2017 seasons, beating former Pac-12 programs Oregon and Stanford by posting furious second-half rallies in both. The Horned Frogs trailed the Ducks 31-0 at halftime before winning 47-41. They trailed Stanford 21-10 at half before coming back for a 39-37 win.

USC and TCU have played five times before this, with the Horned Frogs holding a 3-2 advantage. But the programs have only played twice since 1960. The last was a 28-19 win for TCU in the 1998 Sun Bowl, when the Horned Frogs were in the WAC and USC was in the Pac-10.

TCU was 8-4 this season, dropping three-point games at Arizona State and against Iowa State. The Horned Frogs were also blown out at BYU, 44-13, and lost to Kansas State 41-28. They’re led by quarterback Josh Hoover, who completed 65.9% of his passes for 3,472 yards and 29 touchdowns against 13 interceptions this season. Wide receiver Eric McAlister is the skill player to watch. He finished the regular season with 64 receptions for 1,121 yards and 10 touchdowns. Former USC Trojan Joseph Manjack is also an option at receiver. He had 41 receptions for 551 yards and three scores.

Defensively, linebacker and Cal transfer Kaleb Elarms-Orr leads the way with 119 tackles, including four sacks.

USC will be looking for its third bowl win in a row under head coach Lincoln Riley. The Trojans beat Louisville in the Holiday Bowl to finish the 2023 season and posted an impressive comeback win over Texas A&M in last year’s Las Vegas Bowl.

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Garry Paskwietz (1966-2019)

Garry Paskwietz was a pioneer in bringing team-specific sports coverage to the internet. He founded WeAreSC in 1998 and was an Emmy winner for his work with Fox Sports West. Always generous with his time, knowledge, and compassion, he touched the lives of countless USC and high school football fans.

Garry Paskwietz