TCU led from start to finish in its thrilling 51-45 win over Michigan in the College Football Playoff at the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl in Glendale, Ariz.

The Horned Frogs will face Georgia on Monday, Jan. 9, in the CFP National Championship Game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif.

TCU became the first Big 12 member to win a CFP contest and set a program record for points scored in a bowl game.

Leading 51-45 with 52 seconds to play, TCU's defense forced a 3-and-out to preserve the win.

Led by that defense, TCU started fast by making an impact on Michigan's opening two series. Facing a 4th-and-goal at the 2 on the game's first possession, the Wolverines went for it and the play resulted in a sack by Dylan Horton for a loss of 8 yards. It was the first of four sacks in the game by Horton.
 
The Horned Frogs' defense came up big again on Michigan's next series. On the first snap, Bud Clark had a 41-yard interception return for a touchdown to give TCU a 7-0 lead. Dee Winters later added another Pick 6 for the Horned Frogs. Winters also totaled 3.0 tackles for loss in being selected the Defensive Most Valuable Player.
 
TCU's defense again made an impact in the second quarter. With Michigan having a 1st-and-goal at the 1, a fumbled handoff was recovered in the end zone by Clark for a touchback.
 
The Horned Frogs took their largest lead of the game at 41-22 on a Max Duggan 1-yard run with 49 seconds left in the third quarter. Duggan totaled 282 yards of offense and four touchdowns, while Emari Demercado rushed for a career-high 150 yards.

Quentin Johnston earned Offensive Most Valuable Player honors after totaling six catches for 163 yards, including a 76-yard touchdown.