Max Duggan says TCU 'wanted to be the tougher team' in Fiesta Bowl win over Michigan

TCU pulled off an upset in the Fiesta Bowl, toppling Michigan and winning a College Football Playoff semifinal to advance to the National Championship Game. And after hearing all about Michigan being a physical, grinding team, TCU quarterback Max Duggan said the Horned Frogs made it a point of pride to be the tougher outfit.

And despite the 51-45 final score and the up-and-down nature of the game, there was not lack of hitting, blocks being finished or contact downfield in coverage.

“I think our boys kinda took it to the chin,” Duggan said to ESPN sideline reporter Molly McGrath, “especially our defense, guys up front, receivers, running backs. Doing their thing. Because we wanted to be the tougher team. That’s what we kind of take our chest and our pride to be, is tough and gritty and continuing to fight and I think that’s we showed today.”

Despite TCU never trailing in the game, there were moments when it felt like Michigan was poised to take a lead and begin to lean on the Horned Frogs. Michigan brought the margin to three points in the second half and TCU didn’t flinch.

And when things were going right — big plays to wideout Quentin Johnston and a pair of pick sixes on defense — the Horned Frogs didn’t get too high.

“Yeah, momentum’s huge — especially in college football,” Duggan said. “Whoever has it is probably going to be pretty successful. And I think our guys did a great job of staying neutral. Not getting too high, not getting too low. Just continuing to fight. Continuing to stay grounded. And I think you saw our guys fighting until the very end.”

But even in the euphoria of pulling off the upset, winning a College Football Playoff semifinal against Michigan, the TCU quarterback had his eyes on the bigger prize.

After not winning the Big 12 Championship game, Duggan was out to get TCU a championship.

“This — it’s so exciting. We’re going to celebrate this one but, we got a bigger one coming up and that’s the one that we want,” Duggan said. “So that’s the one we’re looking forward too.”