Tag: TCU Horned Frogs

Oct 26, 2024; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Cincinnati Bearcats running back Corey Kiner (21) carries the ball in the fourth quarter against the Colorado Buffaloes at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

TCU visit is last chance for skidding Cincinnati

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The task is straightforward for Cincinnati in Saturday night’s Big 12 Conference clash with visiting TCU.

“We need that one win,” said Bearcats running back Corey Kiner. “We’re trying to send the seniors out right. The underclassmen understand that, the older guys understand that, everybody understands that.”

Understanding and doing are two different things, though, as Cincinnati (5-6, 3-5) has learned during a four-game losing streak that has brought the team to the brink of elimination from bowl eligibility.

The Bearcats were never in last week’s 41-15 loss at Kansas State, trailing 27-3 at halftime. They allowed 281 yards on the ground and couldn’t get Kiner going until it was too late.

Kiner, the first Cincinnati player with back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons since Michael Warren in 2018-19, eventually ran for 140 yards. But with the defense getting gashed constantly on the ground, his contributions weren’t close to being enough.

Meanwhile, the Horned Frogs (7-4, 5-3) improved their bowl standing last week by stomping Arizona 49-28 on their Senior Day. It was the fourth win in the last five games for TCU, which scored touchdowns on five straight drives to break the game open.

One key to the Horned Frogs’ recent success has been an increased deployment of wide receiver Savion Williams in the backfield. He rushed for 80 yards and two touchdowns against Arizona and now has 312 yards on the ground, good for second on the team.

“There was one play against Utah and it was supposed to be a one-off,” TCU coach Sonny Dykes said of the strategy. “And then it was like, ‘That was really good, let’s do that again.’ I think this has helped his draft status unbelievably.”

In addition to his rushing total, Williams is also second on the team with 57 receptions for 596 yards and six TDs.

This will be the first meeting of the teams since 2004, when Cincinnati earned a 21-10 home win.

–Field Level Media

Nov 9, 2024; Fort Worth, Texas, USA; TCU Horned Frogs wide receiver Savion Williams (3) dives for a touchdown as Oklahoma State Cowboys linebacker Justin Wright (44) defends during the second quarter at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

TCU stacks up touchdowns in routing Oklahoma State

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Savion Williams and Cam Cook each scored two touchdowns as TCU became bowl eligible with a 38-13 win over Oklahoma State on Saturday in the Big 12 Conference matchup in Fort Worth, Texas.

The Horned Frogs (6-4, 4-3 Big 12) scored touchdowns on five consecutive drives from the first to fourth quarters, including a pair of scores following turnovers by the Cowboys.

Josh Hoover passed for 286 yards and a touchdown for TCU, while JP Richardson racked up seven catches for 100 yards.

Alan Bowman threw for 141 yards with a touchdown and an interception for Oklahoma State (3-7, 0-7), which has lost seven straight games and will not play in a bowl game for the first time since the 2005 season. Ollie Gordon II ran for 121 yards and a touchdown for the Cowboys, while De’Zhaun Stribling caught seven passes for 101 yards and a score.

TCU began the game with a 10-play, 61-yard drive that ended with Kyle Lemmermann’s 32-yard field goal. Oklahoma State punted on its first possession, but the Horned Frogs were unable to cash in as Lemmermann missed a 44-yard kick.

However, the hosts got another opportunity not long thereafter as Gordon fumbled and Abe Camara recovered at the TCU 37. Seven plays later, Cook slipped through defenders on his way to an 18-yard touchdown run.

The next Cowboys possession also ended with a turnover — this one an interception by Bud Clark — and TCU was back in the end zone 11 plays later. Williams punctuated the drive with a 1-yard touchdown run with 6:30 left in the second quarter.

The Horned Frogs squeezed in one final touchdown before the end of the half, as Hoover connected with Williams on a 6-yard slant to make it 24-0 with seven seconds remaining.

The Cowboys scored a pair of touchdowns in the second half, but they simply could not stop TCU.

The Horned Frogs had one possession in the third quarter and marched 69 yards in 11 plays, capped by Cook’s 4-yard scoring run. Then in the fourth, their first offensive play was a 16-yard run by Williams, followed immediately by Jordyn Bailey’s electric 59-yard touchdown burst on an end-around.

–Field Level Media

Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy watches warm ups before the first half the college football game between the Oklahoma State Cowboys and the Arizona State Sun Devils at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Nov., 2, 2024.

Oklahoma State continues quest for elusive league win in clash vs. TCU

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Oklahoma State is running out of chances to earn its first Big 12 win this season.

The Cowboys hope to pick up their initial conference victory — and avoid a seventh straight loss overall — when they visit TCU on Saturday night in Fort Worth, Texas.

This weekend likely marks the best remaining chance for Oklahoma State (3-6, 0-6) to earn a league win. The Cowboys’ final two games will be against Texas Tech and Colorado, and both of those schools are in the top half of the league standings.

That said, TCU (5-4, 3-3) is no slouch. The Horned Frogs had won three of four games before dropping a 37-34 decision to Baylor last week on the final play of the game.

Josh Hoover passed for 333 yards for the Horned Frogs, connecting with Jack Bech five times for 98 yards and two scores in a losing effort.

“We played a clean game,” TCU coach Sonny Dykes said. “We didn’t turn the football over. We didn’t capitalize on every opportunity that we should have, clearly. It’s frustrating.”

Meanwhile, Oklahoma State’s six-game skid surprisingly has featured tight losses to ranked foes Utah and BYU and blowouts at the hands of unranked opponents West Virginia and Arizona State.

In last weekend’s 42-21 loss to the Sun Devils, the Cowboys managed just 270 yards. Ollie Gordon ran for a season-low 25 yards on 11 carries, while Alan Bowman (175 passing yards) was held under 200 yards for the third time in four games.

“I have a good idea of what’s going on. I’m aware of where we’re at as a team,” Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy said. “I’m aware of where we’re at (from a) personnel standpoint on offense, defense and special teams. This is my job. This is what I do. … It’s a very common day-to-day for me to look at where everything’s at and to continue to try to work toward the goal, which is try to find a way to win on Saturday.”

The Cowboys must win their final three games to become bowl eligible for the 19th straight season.

TCU has won four of the last six meetings, including 43-40 in double overtime in the most recent matchup on Oct. 15, 2022.

–Field Level Media

Oct 26, 2024; Waco, Texas, USA; Baylor Bears quarterback Sawyer Robertson (13) celebrates after scoring a 41 yard touchdown against the Oklahoma State Cowboys during the second half at McLane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Chris Jones-Imagn Images

Sawyer Robertson, Baylor bid to subdue TCU

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Something has to give when longtime rivals Baylor and TCU square off on Saturday evening in a Big 12 Conference game in Waco, Texas.

Both the Bears (4-4, 2-3) and Horned Frogs (5-3, 3-2) carry two-game winning streaks into the clash.

Saturday’s meeting will be the 120th all-time in the series, making it the most-played rivalry game in the state of Texas.

Both teams are stocked with talent.

Baylor’s most recent contest was a 38-28 victory at home over Oklahoma State last Saturday. Sawyer Robertson threw for 222 yards and three touchdowns and ran for 73 yards for another score to lead the Bears.

Dawson Pendergrass added 142 yards rushing on just six carries, highlighted by 55-yard touchdown with 3:06 remaining that sealed the win. Baylor amassed 565 total yards — marking its second straight game eclipsing the 500-yard barrier — and rushed for a season-high 343 yards.

Baylor already has bested last season’s win total of three.

“(Different) skilled players have really emerged these last couple weeks, and it’s led to the ball getting split in various ways,” Baylor coach Dave Aranda said Monday. “When it is the way it is right now, everyone feels they’ve got a piece and a part of scoring points and winning games. So it’s more positive and probably better environment.”

TCU will roar into Waco on the heels of a thrilling 35-34 comeback win at home over Texas Tech last Saturday.

The Horned Frogs trailed by 17 points late in the third quarter but took the lead on an 84-yard scoring pass from Josh Hoover to Eric McAlister with 5:10 to play. TCU forced a fumble on its own 27-yard-line and held on for the win.

“I think we’re playing hard,” Horned Frogs coach Sonny Dykes said. “It’s still not great football, but they’re starting to gain some confidence from grinding out some tough wins. I really love this team; the guys are invested in each other. You don’t win a game like we did against Tech if that’s not the case.”

Hoover passed for 344 yards and three TDs in the victory. His scoring pass to McAlister was TCU’s longest scoring play of the season, supplanting a 75-yard touchdown connection from Hoover to Savion Williams earlier in the game.

–Field Level Media

Oct 26, 2024; Fort Worth, Texas, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders running back Tahj Brooks (28) runs for a touchdown against the TCU Horned Frogs in the second quarter at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-Imagn Images

TCU overcomes 13-point 4th-quarter deficit, hangs on to beat Texas Tech

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Texas Tech freshman quarterback Will Hammond, who replaced injured starter Behren Morton in the second half, fumbled the ball away on a potential game-winning possession late in the Red Raiders’ 35-34 loss to TCU Saturday in a Big 12 matchup in Fort Worth, Texas.

Morton, who completed 13 of 22 pass attempts for 137 yards in the first half, did not play in the second half because of a shoulder injury.

Hammond fumbled while scrambling when he was tackled by Hakeem Ajijolaiya at the TCU 27 with 1:38 left. Markis Deal recovered the fumble for the Horned Frogs (5-3, 3-2 Big 12).

Hammond completed his first nine pass attempts then went five straight without a completion, finishing 10 of 15 for 121 yards with a touchdown and no interceptions.

Texas Tech (5-3, 3-2) had all three of its timeouts at the time of Hammond’s fumble.

TCU was able to get one first down but was forced to punt with 35 seconds left from its 40.

Texas Tech began its final possession at its 23 with 29 seconds left but was unable to advance the ball.

Texas Tech took a 34-21 lead with 11:13 left following a 24-yard field goal by Gino Garcia.

TCU drove 75 yards on eight plays in 2:31 to cut the lead to 34-28 on Josh Hoover’s 8-yard touchdown pass to DJ Rogers.

Hoover threw for 344 yards while completing 21 of 32 pass attempts. He had three touchdown passes and two interceptions.

After Texas Tech was forced to punt, Hoover connected with Eric McAlister for an 84-yard scoring strike.

The longest play from scrimmage this season for the Horned Frogs gave them a 35-34 lead with 5:10 left.

When Texas Tech was faced with a fourth-and-2 at the TCU 45 with 2:44 remaining, Hammond scrambled five yards for the first down.

His fumble occurred five plays later.

The Red Raiders rallied from trailing 14-3 in the first quarter after the Horned Frogs’ Savion Williams rushed for a 35-yard touchdown and Hoover connected with Williams for a 75-yard score.

Texas Tech scored two touchdowns in the second quarter to take a 17-14 lead at halftime.

One of the touchdowns was a 4-yard touchdown run by placekicker Reese Burkhardt in which the holder Jack Burgess flipped the ball behind his head to Burkhardt, who was already on the run.

–Field Level Media

Sep 28, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; TCU Horned Frogs quarterback Josh Hoover (10) hands off to running back Cam Cook (4) against the Kansas Jayhawks during the first half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images

Houston hoping to snap scoring drought at TCU

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TCU looks to build on its best performance of the year when it hosts reeling Houston on Friday evening in a Big 12 Conference clash in Fort Worth, Texas.

The Horned Frogs (3-2, 1-1 Big 12) head home after a rousing 38-27 win at Kansas on Saturday that snapped a two-game losing skid. Josh Hoover passed for 356 yards and three TDs with 10 of his completions hauled in by Jack Bech for 131 yards and two touchdowns.

J.P. Richardson’s 89-yard score on a punt return late in the third quarter put TCU in the lead for good.

“Our guys just got tougher — tougher and grittier,” TCU coach Sonny Dykes said. “Sometimes teams that lose two games in a row don’t react that way. It says a lot about our players — who they are, their character, the way they work.”

Hoover has thrown for at least two scores in eight consecutive games while Bech’s 10 catches in the win over Kansas were a career high. Bech has had 100-plus yards in four of five games this season.

The Cougars (1-4, 0-2) head north after a 20-0 loss at home to then-No. 18 Iowa State on Saturday. The defeat was Houston’s second straight and followed on the heels of a 34-0 setback in Cincinnati on Sept. 21. It’s the first time the Cougars have been shut out in consecutive games since 1994.

Houston rotated quarterbacks throughout the game, with Donovan Smith (8 of 12 for 71 yards and an interception) and Zeon Chriss (1 of 4 for 1 yard and a pick) each seeing significant playing time but amassing only a combined 72 yards through the air.

“We’re looking for a guy to step up and be ‘the guy,’” Houston coach Willie Fritz said. “We’re giving two players the opportunity. If one guy shows it, then he will be the guy. Until that happens, we’re probably going to keep rotating.”

The Cougars rank last in scoring offense among the 134 teams in FBS, producing a total of 52 points, an average of 10.4 per contest. Thirty-three of those points came in a Sept. 14 win over Rice.

The Horned Frogs have swept the last nine meetings with Houston, including a 36-13 victory in Houston in 2023 that evened the all-time series at 13-13.

–Field Level Media

Oct 8, 2022; Lawrence, Kansas, USA; TCU Horned Frogs head coach Sonny Dykes shakes hands with Kansas Jayhawks head coach Lance Leipold after a game at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

Host Kansas, TCU clash in critical early conference game

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Kansas and TCU both really need a win when they meet in Saturday’s conference game in Kansas City.

The loser drops to 0-2 in the 16-team Big 12 and would have to stack wins in the second half of their schedule to ensure postseason bowl eligibility.

With Kansas’ home stadium under construction, the teams are playing at Arrowhead Stadium. It’s the first time since 2011 the Jayhawks will play at the home of the Kansas City Chiefs.

“They’re in a spot kind of like we are,” Kansas coach Lance Leipold said. “It’s tough to win on the road in this conference. There are a lot of close games.”

Last week, the Jayhawks (1-3, 0-1 Big 12) blew an 11-point, fourth-quarter lead in a 32-28 loss at West Virginia. Devin Neal rushed for 110 yards, the fourth straight game he’s surpassed the century mark, and had a touchdown, Jalon Daniels passed for 184 yards, a touchdown and an interception.

TCU coach Sonny Dykes said the Horned Frogs need to control the Jayhawks’ running game and force third-and-long situations.

“I would run the ball until we stop them,” Dykes said. “And they are very good at doing it. I’ve never seen a team run the ball as well as they do in third and medium.”

Kansas has a three-game losing streak and in each game had had a fourth-quarter lead. All three losses were by one score and Leipold said the Jayhawks have to improve their four-minute offense and make plays as time drips from the clock.

“We haven’t played our best football at the time it is needed,” Leipold said. “There’s moments when we’ve played good football, but there are times, especially late in the game where we need to be at our best and we are not.”

The Horned Frogs (2-2, 0-1) lost the Iron Skillet last week, their annual trophy game with SMU, 66-42. The Mustangs held a 17-0 first-quarter lead and Josh Hoover, who was 28-for-43 passing for 396 yards, three passing touchdowns, a rushing touchdown and two interceptions, was forced to try and throw TCU back into the game.

Jack Bech leads the Big 12 with 516 receiving yards and had eight catches for 166 yards and two TDs against SMU.

“This will be the best quarterback and receiving corps we’ve gone up against,” Leipold said.

–Field Level Media

Sep 23, 2023; Fort Worth, Texas, USA; TCU Horned Frogs running back Trey Sanders (2) runs through the SMU Mustangs defensive line during the second half at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Rivals TCU, SMU square off for Iron Skillet

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Longtime rivals and neighbors TCU and SMU will look to get back on the winning track when they meet Saturday afternoon in Dallas in the Battle for the Iron Skillet.

The schools, separated by 40 miles in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, will play for the 103rd time. TCU owns a 53-42-7 edge and has captured 13 of the past 16 contests, including the last two.

Both teams come into the game after home losses, with the Mustangs falling to BYU 18-15 on Sept. 7 and the Horned Frogs succumbing to UCF, 35-34, on Sept. 14 in their Big 12 Conference opener.

SMU (2-1) won its first two games before stumbling against BYU. The Mustangs managed just 261 yards of total offense in the loss and never reached the end zone, relying on Collin Rogers’ five field goals for all their points.

Kevin Jennings passed for 140 yards with an interception for the Mustangs. Starting quarterback Preston Stone played just three series and passed for 4 yards while being sacked three times. Jennings will start on Saturday.

“This game is important to a lot of people but when it kicks off, it’s another game,” SMU coach Rhett Lashlee said. “Fortunately, it’s our fourth game and it’s an opportunity for us go and play good football. We’re gonna go out compete and try to play our best game of the year.”

The Horned Frogs (2-1) led 28-7 over UCF early in the third quarter but could not stem a rousing comeback from the visiting Knights. UCF took the lead for good on a TD pass with 36 seconds to play, allowing TCU a final chance. But Kyle Lemmerman’s 58-yard field-goal attempt drifted wide right.

Josh Hoover passed for 402 yards and four TDs against UCF, with Jack Beck catching nine passes for a career-high 200 yards and a touchdown.

TCU coach Sonny Dykes said the first half of the loss was the best his team has played all year.

“We didn’t finish the game out, and I’m disappointed, but we will learn from that,” Dykes said. “That game doesn’t define who we are and who we are going to be. We have to look ahead and be at our best against SMU.”

–Field Level Media

Sep 7, 2024; Orlando, Florida, USA; UCF Knights running back RJ Harvey (7) runs the ball during the second quarter against the Sam Houston State Bearkats at FBC Mortgage Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-Imagn Images

TCU looks to contain UCF star RJ Harvey in Big 12 opener

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Running back RJ Harvey leads UCF into hostile territory on Saturday night when the Knights take on TCU in Fort Worth, Texas.

Through two games, Harvey is second in the nation in rushing touchdowns (six) and eighth in rushing yards (268).

UCF (2-0) also leads the Big 12 in scoring with 51 points a game heading into the conference opener for both teams.

This will be the first meeting of the two schools. In fact, it’s the first time TCU has played any school from Florida since 1992. The Horned Frogs (2-0) are coming off their first shutout since 2017 after beating LIU 45-0 last week.

“Overall, this is a good challenge for our team. We’re really looking forward to playing these guys,” said UCF coach Gus Malzahn. “Real impressed with their quarterback, he can really throw it, but he can also make plays with his feet.”

TCU quarterback Josh Hoover took over the starting job midway through the 2023 season. He has thrown for 620 yards and four scores this season. Cam Cook has 139 rushing yards in two games.

“I thought our guys played clean and well in the first half,” said Horned Frogs coach Sonny Dykes after the LIU win. “It’s really difficult to get a shutout in college football.”

Johnny Hodges leads the Horned Frogs defense with 16 tackles. Namdi Obiazor has 1.5 sacks and four tackles for loss.

UCF went 1-4 in Big 12 road games last season. This is an early test for both teams looking to make a statement in the conference.

“Their head coach is one of the best in the country,” Malzahn said. “This is a big test for us. And we’re looking forward to seeing where we’re at on the road for the first conference game. We’ll see what happens at the end with how everything unfolds conference-wise, but I think this is one of the more talented teams in our conference, just big picture-wise, and we have to go on the road to their place.”

UCF quarterback KJ Jefferson, a former starter at Arkansas, has thrown for 333 yards and two scores.

–Field Level Media

Jul 9, 2024; Las Vegas, NV, USA; TCU Horned Frogs head coach Sonny Dykes speaks to the media during the Big 12 Media Days at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Candice Ward-USA TODAY Sports

TCU chasing sunnier outlook in Dykes’ reconnection with Stanford

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TCU coach Sonny Dykes takes another swing at Stanford in the season opener for both teams on Friday night in Palo Alto, Calif., a team he failed to knock out in four seasons at Cal.

The Cardinal are also going for a first in this edition of Friday night lights: a home win. Stanford was 0-7 at home in 2023, coach Troy Taylor’s first season.

“They’re really well-coached, I’ve known Sonny Dykes for a long time,” Taylor said. “They’re going to have great, challenging schemes. They know how to do it. There’s also the element of what they’re going to do a little bit different. We’ll be ready to roll.”

Stanford went 4-0 against Dykes from 2013-16, including a 50-point win in his first season guiding the Bears. Dykes was never within 14 points of Cal in the Big Game.

TCU finished runner-up for the national championship in Dykes’ first season in Fort Worth, but went 5-7 last season, failing to qualify for a bowl game.

Hopes for a rebound start with one of the top wide receivers in the Big 12 Conference.

Savion Williams led the Horned Frogs with 573 receiving yards last season.

“He showed me consistency, which hasn’t always been there in the past,” Dykes said. “I think everybody understands you have a uniquely talented guy, just from size and ability to make plays, and strength and speed. He did at times, but the great ones do it every day.”

Williams, who’s listed at 6-foot-5, 225 pounds, thought about entering the NFL draft after last season, but knew he needed more experience.

“I just know I needed another year,” he said. “I felt like last year at the beginning of the season, I wasn’t getting as many targets as I needed, so I felt like me coming back would’ve been better.”

Josh Hoover will be throwing the ball to Williams and he’s shown he can produce big games. Hoover threw for more than 300 yards in his final four starts last season, including 412 yards in a 42-17 win against Baylor on Nov. 18.

Stanford begins its first season as a member of the ACC after finishing 3-9 in each of its last three seasons competing in the conference formerly known as the Pac-12.

The Cardinal still had not decided on a starting quarterback when they broke fall camp.

Ashton Daniels, Justin Lamson and freshman Elijah Brown are all vying for playing time behind center, and Taylor could end up using all three against TCU.

“Ashton’s a really good runner, had a really good camp,” said Taylor, who is also the quarterbacks coach. “Justin’s had a great fall camp, and Elijah’s had a fantastic camp, too. Competition in our program is going to be at every single position.

“We have three quarterbacks we feel really good about.”

Daniels passed for 2,247 yards and 11 touchdowns with eight interceptions as a first-year starter last season, completing 58.8 percent of his throws. He also rushed for 292 yards, second-most by a Pac-12 quarterback behind Lamson (334).

–Field Level Media