60-second recap: What to know about TCU’s win over Stanford

TCU opened its 2024 football season with a 34-27 win at Stanford on Friday night. Here are 10 things you should know about the Horned Frogs’ season-opening win.

Turning point

After Stanford 24-20 lead with 6:57 left, the Horned Frogs quickly put together an 8-play, 74-yard drive that culminated with a Josh Hoover 4-yard touchdown pass to Jack Bech for a 27-20 lead with 3:13 left.

Game MVP

Quarterback Josh Hoover had a big opener, completing 28 of 42 passes for 353 yards and two touchdowns. He also rushed for a one-yard touchdown.

Costly first-half turnovers

TCU had two big turnovers in the first half, the most costly a fumble at the Stanford 5-yard line with 13 seconds remaining. Instead of punching in a touchdown to tie the game at halftime, Stanford held a 17-10 lead.

The Horned Frogs also lost a fumble earlier in the half at the TCU 20 that the Cardinal converted into their second touchdown of the game.

Bad penalties

Those three penalties were only the beginning. The Horned Frogs finished with seven penalties for 100 yards.

Stat leaders

PASSING

TCU: Hoover 28-42 353 yards, 2 TD

S: Daniels 17-35 163 yards, 1 TD , Lamson 1-1 2 yards 1 TD

RUSHING

TCU: Cook 20-81 1 TD, Bech 0-14, Sanders 2-11, Williams 1-7, Hejny 2-7, D. Johnson 1-2, Hoover 5 (-3) 1 TD

S: Daniels 17-87, Irvin 5-24, Fored 10-20, Lamson 2-3, Cisse 2-(-10).

RECEIVING

TCU: Bech 6-139 1 TD, Richardson 6-107, S. Williams 11-85 1 TD, Rogers 1-8, Dabney 1-5, Everhart 1-4, Cook 1-3, Nowell 1-2.

S: Ayomanor 7-102, Cisse 3-17 1 TD, Harris 2-14 1 TD, Roush 2-11, Bachmeier 2-11, Ford 2-10

The scoring plays

FIRST QUARTER

S: Jackson Harris, 3-yard pass from Ashton Daniels (Emmet Kenney kick). 7:57. Stanford leads 7-0

TCU: Savion Williams, 5-yard pass from Josh Hoover (Kyle Lemmermann kick). 1:16. Tied 7-7

SECOND QUARTER

S: Ismael Cisse, 2-yard pass from Juston Lamson (Emmet Kenney kick). 9:19. Stanford leads 14-7.

TCU: Kyle Lemmermann, 22-yard field goal. 4:09. Stanford leads 14-10

S: Emmet Kenney, 35-yard field goal. 1:37. Stanford leads 17-10.

THIRD QUARTER

TCU: Kyle Lemmermann, 42-yard field goal. 9:11. Stanford leads 17-13

TCU: Josh Hoover, 1-yard run (Kyle Lemmermann kick). 2:22. TCU leads 20-17

FOURTH QUARTER

S: Juston Lamson, 1-yard run (Emmet Keeney kick). 6:57. Stanford leads 24-20

TCU: Jack Bech, 4-yard pass from Josh Hoover (Kyle Lemmermann kick). 3:13. TCU leads 27-24.

TCU: Cam Cook, 7-yard run (Kyle Lemmermann kick). 1:51. TCU leads 34-24.

S: Emmet Keeney, 45-yard field goal. 0:36. TCU leads 34-27.

Savion Williams show comes early

The TCU talented receiver showed quickly how he will be one of the most important parts of the Horned Frogs’ offense. He had five catches for 39 yards in the first drive of the game, capping the first possession with a 5-yard touchdown catch from Josh Hoover.

Opening penalties hurt

The Horned Frogs aided Stanford on the Cardinal first drive of the game. Instead of forcing Stanford to punt deep in their own territory, the Horned Frogs committed three 15-yard penalties: pass interference, unnecessary roughness and a facemask. All three penalties extended Stanford’s opening drive as the Cardinal overcame several third down-and-long situations to complete a 89-yard drive and score on an Ashton Austin 3-yard touchdown pass to Jackson Harris.

Bounce-back opener

A season ago, the Horned Frogs lost their season opener. Colorado beat the Horned Frogs, 45-42, in Fort Worth.

Up next: Home opener

The Horned Frogs play their first home game of the season on Sept. 7 against Long Island. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Amon G. Carter Stadium. The game will not be broadcast on traditional outlets. It is available on streaming service ESPN+.

The Blackbirds play their season opener at Albany on Aug. 31.