Texas Christian University overcame early struggles against a tough Texas Tech team to take the West Texas Championship Saddle with a dominating second-half performance to earn the team’s ninth consecutive win and remain undefeated.
The Horned Frogs closed out the game in victory formation with a 34-24 final score after being down 17-13 to the Red Raiders with less than 18 minutes to play.
TCU took an early lead after forcing a three-and-out on Texas Tech’s first possession. Corralling the punt at the 18-yard line, speedster Darius Davis earned his fifth kick return touchdown to break KaVontae Turpin’s TCU record. Turpin is now a receiver and kick returner for the Dallas Cowboys.
After the early special team’s score, TCU quarterback Max Duggan struggled to find a rhythm in connecting with receivers. On the first series, top target Quentin Johnson aggravated an injury he suffered last week and was relegated to the sidelines for the remainder of the game, leaving Duggan with smaller receivers against the lengthy corners and safeties fielded by Texas Tech.
With Johnson out, head coach Sonny Dykes brought the running game into play, ultimately resulting in a total of 234 yards on 51 rushes, but managed to punch in only one rushing touchdown – a two-yarder by Kendre Miller that showed off his power running ability as he refused to go down. The score gave TCU the lead early in the fourth quarter, 20-17.
Texas Tech started strong behind QB Behren Morton, who went 7-for-10 passing for 79 yards, including an impressive three-play drive that resulted in the Red Raiders’ first score of the day, a 47-yard dart to Jerand Bradley that tied the game at 7-7. Morton ultimately suffered a lower-body injury in the second quarter that forced him out of action for the remainder of the game. Tyler Shough took over and finished the day, only 9-of-22 passing for 78 yards and one touchdown.
The Horned Frogs’ defense was tested repeatedly throughout the contest, particularly after tackling leader Dee Winters was ejected for targeting when the fearsome defender collided with the head of Bradley on a crossing pass in the third quarter. Under CFB rules, the illegal hit resulted in disqualification, a rule meant to encourage safer tackling.
The Frogs eventually took control of the game midway through the second half as the offensive line took control and the combination of Miller and Emari Demercado began to collect yards and first downs. After taking a three-point lead, the TCU defense stepped up and forced back-to-back turnovers on downs before Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson recorded his second interception of the season.
Texas Tech would ultimately get a stop on fourth down on the ensuing drive and respond by going 96 yards in only seven plays to add a touchdown, but the effort would be too little, too late. Duggan and the Horned Frogs’ offense were able to close out the game in the victory formation to secure the win.
Head coach Sonny Dykes is now the first TCU coach to start his career 9-0 and has the Frogs off the best start since before the team began competing in Big 12. Currently ranked at No.7, TCU will likely need an undefeated season to make it into the College Football Playoffs, but Dykes has found ways to get this team into the win column despite various challenges.
TCU has a demanding schedule, facing Texas, Baylor, and Iowa State to close out the 2022 season.