Texas Christian University kept the good times going on October 29 with a 41-31 victory over West Virginia, remaining undefeated in first place in the Big 12. Horned Frogs quarterback Max Duggan had a monstrous day against a suspect Mountaineers defense that allowed the TCU offense to uncork for 494 yards.
The Mountaineers started the game by getting a stop against the Frogs with a 12-yard sack on second down that Duggan could not overcome.
The first offensive drive for West Virginia went 80 yards in eight plays, aided by a facemask penalty against TCU and a 36-yard pass from quarterback JT Daniels.
The Frogs answered right back with Duggan hitting Taye Barber on a deep shot for 71 yards and a touchdown. It would be the first of many big plays for Duggan and the offense. Duggan finished the day completing 16-of-28 for 341 yards and three touchdowns. Duggan threw only his second interception of the season, a mistake that did not hurt the Frogs.
The same cannot be said for a fumble caused by Tre’vius Hodges-Tomlinson, who got around a block and hit Daniels just before his arm began moving forward. The ball traveled 20 yards forward, leading Mountaineers players to believe it was an incomplete pass, but the TCU defense smartly played the ball until the whistle, creating a turnover in the second quarter.
On the first play after the fumble recovery, Kendre Miller got loose on a rush, cruising 51 yards for a TCU touchdown. Miller had a 120-yard day on 12 carries to lead the Horned Frogs’ rushing attack as the primary back. Emani Bailey had just one carry, but made it count, busting through tackles en route to a 30-yard touchdown score just before halftime that gave the Frogs a 28-21 lead at the halftime.
After the half, West Virginia received the kick but was unable to escape from self-inflicted wounds and was forced to punt after committing an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on fourth down. The ensuing punt kick was dropped by TCU’s Noah Daniels, giving West Virginia a new chance. The Mountaineers would score a field goal on the turnover.
Ultimately, West Virginia could not prevent the high-powered Horned Frogs’ offense from getting a lead and putting the game away. The final play for West Virginia was an ill-placed pass attempt picked off by Bud Clark, who held on and stayed in bounds long enough to allow the clock to run out.
TCU is off to one of the best starts in team history under head coach Sonny Dykes who took over this season. Dykes has installed an air raid offense that takes full advantage of Duggan’s arm strength and the speed of the team’s receivers.
The TCU Horned Frogs are at home against Texas Tech on November 5. Fox’s Big Noon Kickoff will be in attendance to bring even more attention to this pivotal matchup.
