How TCU used big plays to beat Kansas and win its first Big 12 game of the season

The Horned Frogs snapped their two-game losing streak in style with big play after big play in a 38-27 win against Kansas at Arrowhead Stadium Saturday.

TCU scored three touchdowns of at least 35 yards and none were bigger than JP Richardson’s 89-yard punt return in the third quarter. Trailing 24-21, The Horned Frogs’ offense was struggling after their two previous series ended with an interception and a missed field goal.

Richardson got a key block by freshman Kaden McFadden at the start of the return and then he did the rest as he raced to the endzone to put TCU ahead for good. The Jayhawks cut the ead to 28-27 with 12:07 remaining in the game, but the Horned Frogs responded with a 59-yard touchdown by Eric McAlister less than a minute later to extend the lead.

The defense forced a stop and then Kyle Lemmerman added a 29-yard field with 3:02 remaining to put the Horned Frogs ahead by the eventual final 38-27 margin.

It was a must-win game for TCU if the Horned Frogs (3-2 overall, 1-1 in Big 12) want to contend for more than a bowl berth. With their season hanging in the balance, TCU was able to make enough plays in all three phases to outlast the Jayhawks (1-4, 0-2).

Hoover overcomes errors

Josh Hoover mostly played excellent football, but he had a couple of costly mistakes against Kansas. His first interception late in the second quarter led to a Jayhawks field goal. Then with TCU trailing 24-21, Hoover had another pick in the second half when TCU was driving deep into Kansas territory.

Hoover tried to fit a pass into double coverage to Savion Williams running up the seam of the defense, but it was picked off by Mello Dotson. It didn’t lead to points as TCU’s defense rose up to make a stop, but Hoover nearly had another turnover on TCU’s next drive as he took a hard hit and fumbled the ball. The ruling was eventually overturned as Hoover’s arm was moving forward, but it was still costly.

Facing a 3rd-and-10, TCU went conservative and called a designed quarterback draw that gained just a yard. Kyle Lemmerman then missed the 41-yard field goal attempt as TCU’s conservative approach didn’t pay off. After Richardson’s punt return touchdown, Hoover took the field with a 28-27 lead and immediately made up for the costly mistakes.

On the touchdown pass to McAlister, Hoover eluded the rush just long enough to hit McAlister on the right sideline. McAlister stiff armed a Jayhawk defender and then strolled into the endzone for a 59-yard touchdown that made it 35-27 with over 11 minutes remaining. Hoover finished the day 28-of-37 for 356 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions.

Hectic half

The first half featured plenty of twists and turns as TCU’s high-powered passing offense went head to head with Kansas’ versatile running game. The Jayhawks struck first after Cam Cook fumbled on the Horned Frogs’ first series when the offense had moved into Kansas territory. Kansas got another boost when JaTravis Broughton was flagged for a defensive pass interference. A ew plays later, Daniels connected with Luke Grimm for a Kansas touchdown.

The Horned Frogs answered back quickly as Hoover completed three passes for 81 yards including a 35-yard touchdown to Jack Bech. The game wouldn’t be tied for long as Kansas marched 71 yards down the field with its rushing attack to take a 14-7 lead. A Cook touchdown would tie it back at 14 to start the second quarter and it was after that point that the two defenses started to finally settle in.

TCU’s defense forced back-to-back punts after allowing opponents to go 14 straight drives without one. However, Hoover made a costly mistake as he left a pass floating in the air too long and it was picked off by X, who returned inside the TCU 10. The Horned Frogs’ defense came up with clutch stops to make Kansas settle for a field goal and give the offense one more chance at the end of the half to tie or take the lead.

Hoover made up for the interception as he connected with Bech for a seven yard touchdown with just 12 seconds remaining in the half to give TCU its first lead, 21-17, of the day.