TCU Topples Texas 33-31

It’s no secret that the Texas Longhorns (2-1, 1-1) haven’t fared well against the TCU Horned Frogs (1-1, 1-1) in recent years. And Saturday’s contest made sense of the old saying “some things never change.” After a slow first quarter riddled with penalties, poor officiating and unproductive offenses, it looked like Texas might manage just enough in the remaining three quarters to stay perfect on the season and in Big 12 play.  Keaontay Ingram’s fumble at the TCU one yard line with 2:32 remaining in the game erased those hopes, propelling Gary Patterson’s Horned Frogs to a 33-31 victory. TCU’s dominance over Texas continued, while the program improved its impressive head-to-head record over the Longhorns to 7-2 since joining the Big 12.

Sam Ehlinger threw for 236 yards and four touchdowns with one interception on the day.  The senior quarterback continued his surge in the record books, becoming the first quarterback to pass for 14 touchdowns through the first three games of a season.  Tight end Jared Wiley led the Longhorns in receiving with two receptions for 63 yards and Roschon Johnson led the team in rushing on 5 carries for 63 yards.

TCU quarterback Max Duggan improved his record against Texas to 2-0, throwing for 230 yards and rushing for 105 yards and two touchdowns. Quentin Johnston led all Horned Frogs in receiving catching three passes for 70 yards.

The Longhorns gave up 457 yards of total offense to TCU.

The loss is a significant blow to the team’s preseason goal of competing in the College Football Playoff, but the conference race is still wide open.

“I told our guys that the cool thing about the Big 12 is that the teams with the two best records at the end of the season are going to play for the Championship. We’ve still got a long way to go, hopefully, in this season. We’ll lick our wounds tonight and get back to the drawing board,” said head coach Tom Herman.

Texas will face the Oklahoma Sooners next Saturday (10/10/2020) at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas.

GAME SUMMARY

TCU won the coin toss and deferred to the second half.  After three kicks, two of which were re-kicks after penalties were called on both teams, the game got underway.  TCU struck first on Darwin Barlow’s 1-yard rushing touchdown with 4:01 left in the first quarter.  Texas managed to put a touchdown on the scoreboard just before the quarter expired, with Sam Ehinger finding Jake Smith for a five-yard touchdown to even the score at 7-7.  The quarter was a poor showing by both teams, and the 13 total penalties set a Big 12 record for penalties in the first quarter.

The Horned Frogs went to work quickly in the second quarter, with quarterback Max Duggan capping a 75 yard, 4 play drive with a 5 yard touchdown run. TCU led Texas 14-7 at that point.  Texas answered quickly, using 4 plays to score a touchdown of their own.  Brennan Eagles caught a 45 yard pass from Sam Ehlinger to tie the score at 14-14.

The Texas defense put together an impressive stand, holding TCU to a field goal with 1:38 left on the clock before halftime.  On the ensuing possession by Texas, Sam Ehlinger’s pass intended for Josh Moore was picked off by TCU’s La’Kendrick Van Zandt. Texas would hold Max Duggan and the Horned Frog offense to another Griffin Kell field goal, this time from 32 yards out.

At the half, TCU led Texas 20-14.

TCU’s 49 yard field goal from Griffin Kell, on the opening drive of the third quarter, increased the Horned Frogs’ lead over Texas to 23-14.

On the next drive, Sam Ehlinger’s 36 yard run, coupled with an offsides penalty on TCU, set up a Texas score.  On 4th and 3 from the TCU 7 yard line, Ehlinger hit Roschon Johnson, who muscled his way into the end zone for a touchdown.  The Longhorns cut the Horned Frogs’ lead to 23-21 at the 9:55 mark.

TCU kicker Griffin Kell made good on his 4th field goal of the day with 13:36 left in the fourth quarter to extend TCU’s lead over Texas to 26-21.

The Longhorns regained the lead when Sam Ehlinger threw his 4th passing touchdown of the day to tight end Malcolm Epps. Texas went for two and converted, courtesy of Keaontay Ingram’s three yard rush.  At that point Texas held a 29-26 lead over TCU, but the Horned Frogs would answer at the 4:01 mark.  Max Duggan’s 26 yard rushing touchdown gave the TCU the lead again, 33-29.

Keaontay Ingram’s fumble on the TCU 1 yard line proved to be the dagger for the Longhorns.  TCU recovered, ate clock and gave up a safety to Texas as the game clock expired.

FINAL: TCU 33, TEXAS 31