Valero Alamo Bowl 2016: Game Grades, Analysis for Oregon vs. TCU

Ranked No. 11, TCU Football clipped No. 15 Oregon in the 2016 Valero Alamo Bowl on Saturday. It was a tale-of-two-halves matchup as backup quarterback Bram Kohlhausen and the Horned Frogs manufactured an incredible 31-point comeback and secured a 47-41 victory in a triple overtime thriller.

In a dismal first half the Horned Frogs failed to find the board, and Oregon racked up 31 points. However, TCU clawed its way back into the game with three touchdowns, three field goals and one well-called two-point conversion. The Ducks attempted to steal the win back in overtime, but TCU's momentum and overwhelming home crowd carried the Horned Frogs past a reeling Oregon football team.

	First Half	Second Half	Overtime
Rush Offense	C	A+	A-
Pass Offense	C-	A	B+
Rush Defense	D+	A+	B
Pass Defense	D	A	B+
Special Teams	C+	A	A-
Coaching	D-	A+	A

TCU Rush Offense: Led by running back Aaron Green, the Horned Frogs backfield overcame an embarrassing 46-yard first half to consistently wear down the Ducks defense. TCU put together 128 yards with three touchdowns in the second half and overtime. Quarterback Bram Kohlhausen proved essential on the ground as well, scoring the game-winning touchdown on an option play.

TCU Pass Offense: The TCU offensive line was incapable of defending its quarterback in the first half, as Kohlhausen was under pressure from the first snap. However, over 250 yards through the air and two scores in the second half helped overcome the initial downfall.

TCU Rush Defense: The first-half Horned Frogs defense watched Oregon running back Royce Freeman and Co. run for 163 yards and three touchdowns. The second half and overtime differed, however, as the Ducks found only 23 ground yards and one score. Enough said.

TCU Pass Defense: Oregon quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. was a one-man wrecking crew as he worked throughout the first half, compiling 197 yards in the air with one score. However, an injury sidelined the stud QB and forced Jeff Lockie to run the second half and overtime. Lockie put together just 36 yards and no touchdowns.

The TCU defense played a major part in the overall shift in the Ducks' fortunes, as constant pressure destroyed most of Lockie's opportunities.

TCU Special Teams: After not even a blocked punt helped TCU in the first half, place-kicker Jaden Oberkrom made four field goals in the second half and overtime, two of which knotted the score and forced overtime.

TCU Coaching: The absence of quarterback Trevone Boykin due to suspension (h/t ESPN.com's Mark Schlabach) may have reared its ugly head in the first half, but the coaching staff found a way to convince the Horned Frogs a second half remained to be played. And play they did, as head coach Gary Patterson and his assistant coaches inspired TCU to a stunning comeback. Or perhaps it was just the magic of the purple shirt...

	First Half	Second Half	Overtime
Rush Offense	A+	F	B-
Pass Offense	A	D-	C-
Rush Defense	A-	D+	C
Pass Defense	A	D	D+
Special Teams	B+	C	C+
Coaching	A	D-	C

Oregon Rush Offense: A deadly combination of speed and power—led by running back Royce Freeman—was highlighted by 163 first-half yards and three scores. He was quietly limited to just 23 yards in the second half and overtime. Honestly, it begs the question: Did Oregon even received the ball after halftime?

Oregon Pass Offense: The obvious difference in the change in passing production from the first to the second half was the forced substitution of Jeff Lockie for starter Vernon Adams Jr. due to injury. However, Adams' 13-of-19 performance for 197 yards and a score versus Lockie's 7-of-15 for 36 yards is night and day. It is the reason for the outcome of the game for the Ducks.

Oregon Rush Defense: Allowing just 46 yards to a potent TCU rush attack was a first-half success, but Aaron Green and Co. made a 128 yard, three-score comeback in the second half. The Oregon defense's lack of aggressiveness and physicality in the second half was a difference-maker, especially as the Horned Frogs wore down any resistance as the game slugged on.

Oregon Pass Defense: A fantastic pass rush and tight-knit coverage scheme led to backup quarterback Kohlhausen struggling to just 96 yards and an interception. But the second half went much differently. TCU receivers found open spots to make receptions while Kohlhausen was well-protected and accurate. The TCU signal-caller put together over 250 yards through the air with two touchdowns.

Oregon Special Teams: Place-kicker Aidan Schneider nailed both of his long-range field goals for a solid day in special teams. Oregon's DeForest Buckner also made an incredible recovery on a blocked punt. Buckner turned a fourth down into a first down. However, watching TCU kicker Jaden Oberkrom drill four field goals of his own with little or no pressure did not help in the Ducks' attempt to seal the win during the second half.

Oregon Coaching: The Oregon coaching staff, led by head coach Mark Helfrich, may have been abducted during halftime and replaced with incapable clones. After a first half full of aggressive play-calling, fast-paced offensive possessions and a defense playing lights out, the second featured a timid staff, hoping just not to lose. In my experience, that's exactly how games are lost.