TCU outlasts Cal in Cheez-It Bowl interception fest
Dec 26, 2018, 11:43 PM | Updated: Dec 27, 2018, 12:17 am
(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
PHOENIX — Two top-25 defenses combined for nine interceptions, including three by California’s Jaylinn Hawkins, in the 2018 Cheez-It Bowl played at Chase Field.
Both were record-setting numbers, smashing the record of six in the 1997 matchup between Arizona and New Mexico. Hawkins’ three interceptions broke a record set in 2009.
TCU would outlast Cal 10-7 in overtime to capture the win, despite throwing for just 28 yards on the night.
Five players recorded interceptions for TCU including Jawuan Johnson, Niko Small, Vernon Scott, Jeff Gladney and Julius Lewis.
“One of the coverages that really helped us we put in this morning, and it really helped us in their trip sets,” TCU head coach Gary Patterson said.
Although the Horned Frogs struggled through the air, they were able to run the ball with some success, racking up 262 yards rushing behind Cheez-It Bowl MVP Sewo Olonilua.
Olonilua rushed for 194 yards on 32 carries including a touchdown run in the third quarter to help tie the game.
“We were down to three (defensive) ends and three (defensive) tackles,” Patterson said. “It was one of those deals where, fortunately for us, the offense was able to control the ball and we were able to get some rest.”
Cal got on the board in the first quarter following Hawkins’ first interception on the night. Two plays later, quarterback Chase Garbers was able to sneak around the left tackle for a four-yard touchdown run.
Hawkins was named the Defensive MVP of the game, but credited his team after the game.
“It was just my defense, man, just the front seven. It was the communication, everybody communicating, everybody being on point,” Hawkins said. “That’s when big plays come, when everybody’s doing their job and everybody’s playing for each other.”
TCU had a chance to win the game in regulation but a 44-yard field goal by Cole Bunce sailed wide left as time expired.
Fittingly, on the first possession of overtime, Johnson picked off an errant pass by Cal backup quarterback Chase Forrest and nearly scored after an 84-yard return, which would have ended the game.
TCU’s other kicker, Jonathan Song drilled a 27-yard field goal in overtime to seal the win for the Horned Frogs.
Along with the nine interceptions, the defensive battle featured seven sacks and 15 punts.
Jordan Kunaszyk also recorded an interception for the Golden Bears. Christopher Brown Jr. led Cal with 57 yards rushing on 14 carries as their offense was held to just 264 total yards on the night.
It was the last game at Chase Field to be played on real grass. The stadium is planning to install artificial turf ahead of the upcoming Arizona Diamondbacks season.
The Pac-12 was hoping for a more successful postseason than last year when they went 1-7 in the bowl games. The loss by Cal in the Cheez-It Bowl coupled with the loss by Arizona State in the Las Vegas Bowl moves the conference to 0-2 with five games left on the bowl slate.
