AUSTIN —  Behind a daunting rush attack and forcing three first-half David Ash turnovers, TCU defeated Texas 20-13 at DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium on Thursday. The Horned Frogs spent their Thanksgiving holiday hanging out in Austin, and squashing any good vibes the Texas Longhorns football program had behind two Matthew Tucker touchdowns, and an opportunistic defense.
Ash threw two red-zone interceptions, that would cripple the Texas (8-3) offense in the first half. Long, sustained drives crushed by a bad throw and a bad decision. And his second-half effort isn’t worth mentioning.
TCU (7-4) Redshirt freshman QB Treyvone Boykin and the three-headed monster at tailback; Tucker, Aundre Dean, and BJ Catalon, would give the Texas front seven fits all night. The offense totaled 298 yards, while running the ball 46 times, as Boykin had 77 on 10 touches to lead the way.
TCU’s defense played outstanding, forcing four turnovers and Frogs coach Gary Patterson seemed to have the upper hand all night.
“Your turn the ball over that much, you lose 100% of the time,” said Texas coach Mack Brown. You couldn’t be more correct, coach.
On TCU’s second drive, the Frogs went 14 plays, with Tucker scoring on a two-yard jaunt at the 5:38 mark in the first quarter, giving TCU a 7-0 lead. Texas’ kicker Nick Jordan nailed a 25-yard field goal with :21 seconds left in the first quarter to make it 7-3, but the ineptness of the Horns offense was obvious early.
TCU would score again when Tucker punched it in from 3 yards out with 1:40 left in the first half. That field position was setup by an Ash fumble and Stanley Maponga recovery. Tucker finished with 57 yards on 14 carries.
On their opening-drive of the second half, Â Horned Frogs signal-caller Boykin was intercepted by Adrian Phillips, on a critical third-down play, after a Josh Boyce kickoff return gave them the ball at midfield. But a Texas drive to the red-zone only resulted in a Jordan 25-yard field goal at the 8:53 mark, and a 14-6 TCU margin.
TCU quickly answered. After long runs by Dean and Boykin, the Horn Frogs settled for a Jaden Oberkrom 18-yard field goal and a 17-6 lead after getting stuffed on three attempts from the 4-yard line.
Oberkrum would also hit a 35-yard field goal at the beginning of the fourth quarter, giving TCU their biggest lead of the night, 20-6.
Texas kept it close on with a 82-yard nine-play drive, when senior Jeremy Hills scored his first career touchdown with under four minutes left, making it 20-13 Horned Frogs.
But after a TCU punt, Case McCoy would be intercepted by TCU safety Sam Carter ending any Texas comeback.
Texas goes on the road next Saturday to a familiar place, Manhattan, KS. It’s been the thorn in the side of Mack Brown for his duration on the Forty Acres. Bill Snyder’s Kansas State Wildcats are coming off a soul-crushing loss to Baylor last weekend, and still have the Big 12 title in their sights. Texas will need to regroup or they’ll spend another winter vacation in San Diego for the Holiday Bowl.
Some things never change.
