Texas Christian University climbed back from a 17-point deficit to beat No. 8 Oklahoma State University in double overtime by a final score of 43-40. TCU is now 6-0 under new head coach Sonny Dykes and has beaten undefeated teams in back-to-back games.
The Cowboys got off to a solid start by forcing a three-and-out on TCU’s opening possession, then scored back-to-back touchdowns to open up a 14-0 lead in the first quarter. Then, on their third possession, quarterback Max Duggan connected with receiver Quentin Johnson for 44 yards, ultimately setting up a 1-yard Duggan touchdown run.
Duggan struggled against the zone defense scheme run by Oklahoma State, forcing the prolific passer to try and find short routes to complete passes, many of which he did not see. Duggan ultimately threw for 286 yards on 23 of 40 pass attempts. He hit two touchdowns through the air and another on the ground.
TCU found itself down 24-7 only five minutes into the second quarter. Looking for an offensive spark, Dykes called for a run on fourth-and-four from the Oklahoma 12, but running back Derius Davis was denied the first down. It was the only rush Davis would have. The majority of the running game fell once again to Kendre Miller who is establishing himself as the identity of the ground game.
Miller had 104 yards on the day and scored two touchdowns including the eventual game-winner in double overtime. Emari Demercado added 62 yards and Duggan another 57 as the TCU offense found room to run in the second half.
TCU trailed 30-16 in the fourth quarter before Duggan and the offense found opportunities to extend the game. Miller’s first score closed the gap to 14 points and the TCU defense came up big on the ensuing drive, with Bud Clark picking off a deep shot by quarterback Spencer Sanders. The interception ended a promising drive for Oklahoma State but TCU was only able to gain one yard on the ensuing three plays before punting back to Oklahoma State.
The TCU defense then stepped up again, shutting down Sanders with two incompletions and a one-yard Dee Winters sack. The ensuing drive went 94 yards and was capped off with a 10-yard touchdown pass to Jared Wiley that tied the score at 30, ultimately forcing overtime.
In the first overtime period, TCU received the ball and scored a touchdown on a 25-yard pass to Johnson. Oklahoma State answered with a touchdown of their own on a one-yard run from running back Dominic Richardson that ended the first overtime with a tie at 37.
Oklahoma State then got the ball to start the second overtime period but was unable to advance after a holding penalty on first down set them back 10 yards. The Cowboys settled for the field goal to go up 40-37.
Duggan then took the game into his hands, engineering a gutsy six-play scoring drive that featured the quarterback dashing for 12 yards and coming up just short of the goal line on second-and-11. Miller punched the ball in on the next play, sending TCU fans streaming onto the field to celebrate the massive win.
TCU is now 3-0 in the Big 12 and has beaten Oklahoma, Kansas, and Oklahoma State. The Horned Frogs will face No. 17 Kansas State next week.
