Game balls from Michigan's Fiesta Bowl loss to TCU

Michigan football’s season came to an unfortunate end in the College Football Playoff, losing the Fiesta Bowl semifinal 51-45 to TCU. There were plenty of standout performers on both sides, but the Horned Frogs made more plays to secure the victory.

Anthony Broome, Clayton Sayfie and Chris Balas select a player each week for Michigan after the game concludes. Here are the players that get the biggest nod from our staff following a Game 14 loss against TCU.

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Anthony Broome: TCU EDGE Dylan Horton

Michigan’s loss on Saturday was a program loss. The coaches and players both have to wear what happened in the Fiesta Bowl, and for that reason, it is hard to single out a particular Wolverine even with plenty of guys that fought their hearts out until the end.

Giving credit where credit is due, the other squad’s effort and plays that were made to win the game deserve to be shouted out. TCU pass rusher Dylan Horton, one of the team’s few NFL prospects, was all over the field on Saturday. He had all 4 TCU sacks in the game, and Michigan was unable to block him, leading to too many derailed drives in big moments.

Clayton Sayfie: Michigan DBs Rod Moore and Mike Sainristil

You never want a pair of defensive backs to lead the team in tackles, but that was what happened on Saturday evening. Sophomore Rod Moore and senior Mike Sainristil combined for 19 total tackles on the game and each had an interception that aided a potential Michigan comeback.

Both Moore and Sainristil displayed a savviness all season that made them fixtures on the Michigan defense. The fact that both will return next season is a massive development for a Wolverine group that now has a chip on its shoulder and something to prove after too many big plays allowed.

Chris Balas: Michigan WR Ronnie Bell

Ronnie Bell saved one of his best games for last in a Michigan uniform, hauling in 6 catches for 135 yards and a touchdown. During a season where the Wolverine wideouts were inconsistent, Bell returned to be a calming and productive presence. It hurts that he has to go out this way after all he went through coming back from a torn ACL.

Such is life. In a year with some turbulence with Michigan’s captainship, Bell displayed the traits that made him such a favorite in the locker room and with the fanbase. He will be missed.

Other top Michigan vs. TCU performers

The quarterbacks: TCU’s Max Duggan was every bit the warrior that he was promised to be coming into this game. His stat line was not that impressive (14-for-29, 225 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs with 15 carries for 57 yards and 2 rushing TDs), but every time TCU needed a big throw, he delivered. Michigan’s pressure never got to him, and he stepped up and made them pay.

We saw the best and worst of J.J. McCarthy in this game. He threw for 343 yards with 2 touchdowns but had a pair of very costly interceptions returned for touchdowns. Michigan also discovered it could use him as a runner with 10 carries for 52 yards and a touchdown. He will be kicking himself over the mistakes he made, but he was also one of the reasons it was still a competitive game late.

TCU WR junior Quentin Johnston: The top wide receiver prospect in the 2023 NFL Draft finished the day with 6 catches for 163 yards and a touchdown, a 76-yard strike on a third-and-7 play in the fourth quarter.

Michigan junior WR Roman Wilson: If there is a silver lining performance from this game, it might be the return of Wilson to productivity after a lull since the first month of the season. Michigan’s wide receiver room will look a bit different next year with a wide-open race for the top spot. Wilson staked his claim on Saturday with 5 catches for 104 yards and a receiving touchdown, along with an 18-yard touchdown rush. He should have had a second touchdown that was wiped out by officiating, which will be a tough pill to swallow for a long time.

Michigan graduate kicker Jake Moody: Michigan settled for too many field goals in this game, but Moody came up big when he was needed. He hit a career-long 59-yarder and was 3 for 3 on his attempts and hit his lone extra point attempt.