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| (photos above and below) TCU's 44-11 victory over BYU on Homecoming Saturday, October 14, was an amazing finale to TCU's Sesquicentennial celebration, which included the announcement that the university had surpassed its "Lead On" fundraising goal of $1 billion. Learn more: here |
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| (photos above and below) The Midnite Madness Tailgate of TCU alums and TCU fans was held on Homecoming Saturday prior to TCU's 44-11 victory over BYU. |
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| TCU fan Todd Laska (left) receives the Midnite Madness Tailgate Golden Frog Award from TCU alum Barry Johnson. Laska was honored with the Golden Frog for hosting the tailgate in the absence of long-time tailgate hosts Tom (Midnite) and Mary Burke, who are TCU alums. |
Highlights: here
Final Stats: here
TCU head coach Sonny Dykes discusses the win: here
TCU quarterback Josh Hoover discusses the win: here
TCU linebacker Namdi Obiazor discusses the win: here
TCU wide receiver JP Richardson discusses the
win: here
BYU head coach Kalani
Sitake discusses the loss: here
BYU quarterback Kedon Slovis and linebacker AJ
Vongphachanh discuss the loss: here
By Tom C. “Midnite” Burke
Well, that was a spectacular ending to TCU’s Sesquicentennial celebration.
Not only did TCU announce that in honor of its 150th year the school’s “Lead On” fundraising campaign exceeded its $1 billion goal, but on Homecoming Saturday, October 14, the Horned Frogs defeated Brigham Young 44-11 before an announced crowd of 44,599 in Amon G Carter Stadium on a picture-perfect fall afternoon.
Over 57,000 individual donors contributed to TCU’s “Lead On” campaign, which will strengthen the university’s endowment, support student scholarships and help expand the university through additional faculty and staff (learn more: here)
A couple of hours before kickoff of the football game, tailgaters and stargazers across North Texas were treated to the heavenly phenomenon of an annular eclipse.
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| Tom C. "Midnite" Burke |
As if the Lead On campaign result, Homecoming, a football win and an annular eclipse were not more than enough enjoyment for one Saturday afternoon, in TCU’s victory over BYU, redshirt freshman quarterback Josh Hoover treated Horned Frogs fans to one of the best performances by a quarterback in TCU football history.
Against the Cougars, Hoover made his first career start because TCU starting quarterback Chandler Morris suffered a knee injury in the Frogs’ prior game, a 27-14 loss to Iowa State in Ames, Iowa, on October 7.
Hoover did not look like a freshman making his first career start. He completed 37 of 58 passes for 439 yards and four touchdowns, and he added 26 rushing yards. He was not sacked, however, he threw two interceptions. But, hey, nobody’s perfect.
Hoover’s 439 passing yards tied for 10th-most
in a game at TCU and ranks 10th nationally this season.
The 439 passing yards were the most by a TCU quarterback in his first career
start since Chandler Morris threw for 461 yards in a 30-28 win over Baylor in
2021.
The four touchdown passes by Hoover were the
best by a Horned Frog in his first start since Casey Pachall’s four passing
touchdowns at Baylor in 2011
The 37 pass completions and 58 pass attempts by Hoover were the highest totals
by a TCU quarterback since Pachall was 40-of-58 passing against West Virginia
in 2013.
Hoover’s four touchdown passes were the most since Max Duggan had four against Tarleton last season. It also was the most for a TCU quarterback versus an FBS opponent since Duggan had four scoring tosses at Oklahoma in 2021.
Hoover’s 439 passing yards is tied for the 10th-most in a single game in TCU history. It is tied with Kenny Hill, who also recorded 439 passing yards in his first start as a Horned Frog.
Only three times in TCU history has a quarterback thrown more passes than Hoover did against BYU: Max Vogler had 79 pass attempts in 1990 against Houston, and 72 pass attempts in 1990 against Texas Tech; Max Knake attempted 59 passes against Oklahoma State in 1993.
Hoover became the first Power Five quarterback with 400 yards passing and four touchdowns in his first career start since Anthony Gordon for Washington State against New Mexico State in 2019. He is the first Big 12 signal caller to accomplish the feat since 2014 (Baylor's Seth Russell versus Northwestern State).
The Big 12 Conference named Hoover as its Co-Offensive Player of the Week for his performance against BYU. Hoover shared the honor with Oklahoma State running back Ollie Gordon II.
The Maxwell Football Club honored Hoover as
the Shaun Alexander Award Freshman of the Week for his play against BYU. The Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award is presented annually to the nation's top
freshman. Alexander was an All-America running back at Alabama before
being selected the 2005 National Football League Most Valuable Player
for the Seattle Seahawks.
Hoover also was named to the Davey O’Brien Great 8 list, he was named Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Player of the Week Honorable Mention, and he was the highest-graded week 7 Pro Football Focus (PFF) Power 5 collegiate quarterback with a 93.6 grade. South Carolina quarterback Spencer Rattler was second, with a 90.1 grade.
“I thought Josh played incredibly well, but I am not surprised because he is the most prepared player on our team,” said TCU head football coach Sonny Dykes. "BYU kind of forced us to play that way (throwing so much). I thought that Josh responded incredibly well. Good decision-making, but he missed a couple of deep balls that we've got to be able to hit, but for his first start, to throw for 439 yards, I think is a good performance."
The win over BYU snapped a TCU two-game losing streak (to West Virginia and Iowa State) and improved the Horned Frogs’ overall record to 4-3. TCU is 2-2 in the Big 12, which Oklahoma leads, at 3-0.
TCU, which, of course, made the College Football Playoffs last year and advanced to the 2023 National Championship Game, is this season two wins away from being bowl eligible (a minimum of six wins).
Since the College Football Playoff started in 2014, only two teams have made the playoff one year and missed a bowl game the next season. In 2020, LSU went 5-5 during the COVID-impacted season. In 2016, Michigan State went 3-9, after going 12-2 the previous season.
Beginning with the 2022 Big 12 Conference Championship Game, the Frogs are 5-5 over their past 10 games, after going 12-0 during the 2022 regular season.
With the loss to the Horned Frogs, BYU fell to 4-2 (1-2 in Big 12). The Cougars, who are playing their inaugural season in the Big 12, are seeking first Big 12 win against one of the established conference teams. BYU’s lone conference win was against conference-newcomer Cincinnati.
Saturday’s TCU win was the first game between the two teams since 2011, and the Horned Frogs recorded their largest victory margin over the Cougars in the series history.
TCU has a 7-5 series lead over BYU, with a five-game winning streak. All of the five wins have been by double-digits, with four of the five by at least 25 points, and with a cumulative score of 183 to 56, in favor of TCU.
In other week seven Big 12 Conference games:
- Houston (4-3, 2-2 Big 12) defeated West Virginia (4-3, 2-2) 41-29 on a 49-yard Hail Mary pass completion as time expired, after West Virginia had taken a 39-35 lead with 12 seconds remaining. It was conference-newcomer Houston’s first conference win over an established Big 12 team, and it was a win for Houston head coach Dana Holgerson over his former Mountaineers.
- Iowa State (4-3, 3-1 Big 12) defeated Cincinnati (2-4, 0-3, Big 12) 30-10.
- Oklahoma State (4-2, 2-1 Big 12) defeated Kansas (5-2, 2-2 Big 12) 39-32.
- Kansas State (4-2, 3-1 Big 12) defeated Texas Tech (3-4, 2-2 Big 12) 38-21.
- Texas, Oklahoma, Baylor and UCF enjoyed byes.
Against BYU, Hoover and TCU’s offense weren’t the only stars. The Frogs’ defense, which at times featured a five-man front and various blitzes, also had a strong game. In fact, the defense scored first against the Cougars.
On BYU’s opening possession, senior safety Millard Bradford intercepted a pass from BYU quarterback Kedon Slovis and returned it for a touchdown. With just 90 seconds gone in the game, TCU had a 7-0 lead.
TCU’s offense then got in on the action, scoring 17 points to give the Frogs a 24-0 lead midway through the second quarter.
Hoover connected with wide receiver JP Richardson on a 42-yard touchdown play and tight end Jared Wiley caught a seven-yard touchdown pass. After having a couple of rough weeks, kicker Griffin Kell righted himself and kicked a 40-yard field goal, the first of his three field goals in the game.
BYU scored its only touchdown of the game on a three-yard touchdown run by running back Keelan Marion with 3:15 remaining in the first half. A two-point conversion cut the Frogs’ lead to 24-8.
With seconds remaining before halftime, TCU increased its lead to 31-8, on a seven-yard touchdown pass from Hoover to wide receiver Savion Williams.
TCU’s defense held BYU to 108 total yards and an average of just three yards per play in the first half.
In the second half, Hoover tossed his fourth touchdown pass of the game early in the third quarter. It was a 14-yarder to wide receiver Warren Thompson.
Kell finished the Frogs’ scoring with a 35-yard field goal in the third quarter and a 47-yard field goal in the fourth quarter, which featured several TCU players who have seen limited or no action this season, including backup quarterbacks Grant Tisdale, a senior, and Luke Pardee, a sophomore, and running backs Franklin Estrada II, a sophomore, and Brant Ahlfinger, a redshirt freshman.
Tisdale attempted and completed one pass, for eight yards.
Estrada and Ahlfinger each carried the football once. Estrada gained four yards. Ahlfinger gained two yards.
Pardee did not attempt a pass or a rush.
TCU gained 584 total yards to BYU's 243 total yards.
In addition to Hoover’s passing yards, the Frogs gained 138 yards on the ground.
Emani Bailey gained 61 rushing yards on 13 carries.
Bailey is second in the Big 12 and seventh nationally in rushing yards with 751. He has topped 100 yards in four games this season.
Cam Cook gained 27 yards on four rushes.
Thirteen Horned Frogs caught passes against BYU.
TCU’s leading receiver was Richardson. The junior wide receiver caught six passes for 104 yards, with the one touchdown reception.
It was Richardson’s first career 100-yard receiving game, and it was the first time this season a TCU receiver has crossed the century mark. The six catches were one shy of a career-high seven.
Richardson’s 42-yard touchdown catch was his second as a Horned Frog and eighth of his collegiate career.
Richardson has at least one reception in his last 22 games, the longest streak on the team.
Williams caught a career-high six passes for 77 yards and the one touchdown reception. It was the junior wide receiver's second straight game with a touchdown catch. Williams’ three touchdown catches this season trail only Jared Wiley’s four.
Senior wide receiver Jaylon Robinson caught a team-high seven passes, for 68 yards.
In addition to his touchdown reception, Thompson caught two other passes. The senior wide receiver's three receptions totaled 38 yards. Thompson's touchdown catch was his second as a Horned Frog and seventh of his career.
Wiley’s touchdown catch was his eighth as a Horned Frog, tops among active players at TCU. The senior tight end has 11 career scoring grabs.
BYU was held to 152 passing yards, with Slovis completing 15 passes out of 34 attempts. He had the one interception. He was sacked three times.
The Cougars gained 91 yards on the ground. BYU’s leading rusher was LJ Marin, with 56 yards on 14 carries. Miles Davis gained 47 yards on 10 carries.
TCU’s defense has allowed just nine touchdowns over the last six games and has held opponents to one touchdown pass and a 48.1 completion percentage over the last six contests.
The Frogs’ defense leads the Big 12 in conference games only by surrendering just 301.3 yards per game, 60 yards ahead of the next-closest team. TCU leads the Big 12 with 19 sacks
Against BYU, the Frogs were especially effective on third down, stopping the Cougars on 12 of their 14 attempts. BYU achieved only 15 first downs.
Bradford’s first interception of the season was the third interception of his career. It was also TCU’s first interception returned for a touchdown since Dee Winters against Michigan in last year’s TCU College Football Playoff Semifinal win at the Fiesta Bowl.
TCU linebacker Shad Banks Jr. had a team-best seven tackles.
A sack by linebacker Jamoi Hodge gave him 2.5 on the season and eight in his career, the most among current Horned Frogs. Hodge also had his first career fumble recovery and two quarterback hurries, giving him a team-best eight on the season.
Horned Frogs’ linebacker Namdi Obiazor had his second sack of the season as part of six stops. He added two quarterback hurries.
Cornerback Avery Helm recorded his first career sack and forced fumble.
“Defensively, I thought we played outstanding,” said Dykes. “BYU is a really good offense and can throw the heck out of the ball. I thought we did a really good job of not giving up big plays.
“I am really proud of our team. We had a really tough last two weeks and I think in a lot of ways this was kind of a gut-check for our guys. And for them to come out and play like they did, I think shows a lot about who they are and I am really proud of them.”
Hoover will get his second-career start this Saturday, October 21, when the Horned Frogs face Big 12 Conference rival Kansas State in Bill Snyder Family Stadium in Manhattan, Kansas.
Kickoff between the Frogs and Wildcats is scheduled for 6 pm (Central). ESPN2 will televise the game, which will be TCU’s second game outside of Texas this season.
The game will be Kansas State's first home game in four weeks. It is K-State's annual "Harley Game," where pregame festivities include riders on dozens of Harley-Davidson motorcycles parading around the football field, whipping the fans into a frenzy (no football pre-game festivity at TCU compares). The Cats are advertising the game as a sell-out.
The Wildcats are 36-19 in home Big 12 contests since 2011.
Kansas State has been one of the best Big 12 teams since the inception of the conference in 1996. The Wildcats are third with 135 conference victories, trailing only Oklahoma and Texas.
The Wildcats are third in the conference in winning percentage since non-divisional play began in 2011. They sit at 59.5 percent (66-45), trailing only Oklahoma (78.2 percent; 86-24) and Oklahoma State (64.9 percent; 72-39).
Kansas State is coached by Chris Klieman, who has led the Wildcats since 2019. This is Klieman’s first FBS team. He came to Kansas State from North Dakota State, an FCS program where he had been since 2011. Over his career as a head coach, his teams have won over 75 percent of their games. He won four FCS national championships at South Dakota State.
The Frogs are 7-1 in road contests under Dykes. TCU’s October 7 loss at Iowa State snapped a seven-game road winning streak that was tied for second-longest in the nation.
TCU and Kansas State will meet for the 18th time. The Wildcats hold a 9-8 series lead. TCU is 3-5 against Kansas State in Manhattan, 5-3 in Fort Worth and 0-1 at neutral sites.
Since beginning Big 12 play in 2012, TCU is 5-7 versus Kansas State.
The last time the Frogs and K-State played each other in Manhattan was on October 30, 2021. The Wildcats prevailed, 31-12. It was the last game for TCU with Gary Patterson as its head football coach.
During the 2022 regular season, TCU rallied
from an 18-point deficit to defeat No. 17 Kansas State 38-28 in Fort Worth on October
22. TCU snapped a three-game losing streak to K-State and became the
second Big 12 team in history to beat a ranked opponent in four consecutive
weeks. The three previous wins came against No. 18 Oklahoma, No. 19 Kansas and No. 8 Oklahoma State.
The Wildcats revenged that regular-season loss by defeating TCU 31-28 in overtime in the 2022 Big 12 Championship Game on December 3 in AT&T Stadium, in Arlington, Texas. Trailing 28-17, No. 3 TCU scored 11 points in the final 7:34 of regulation to force overtime. The No. 10 Wildcats won the game on a 31-yard field goal.
The loss to Kansas State began a 4-5 slide for the Frogs, until TCU evened its record over the last 10 games to 5-5 with Saturday's victory over BYU.
Dykes is 1-1 versus Kansas State, with both
meetings against the Wildcats coming last season.
Kansas State (4-2, 2-1 Big 12) is coming off a 38-21 win over Texas Tech in
Lubbock on Saturday, October 14.
The Wildcats also have wins over Southeast Missouri, 45-0, Tory, 42-13, and UCF, 44-31.
Kansas State’s two losses have been to Missouri, 30-27, and Oklahoma State, 29-21.
Kansas State is scoring 36.17 points per game
and averaging 456 total yards per game; 241.67 passing yards per game and 214.3
rushing yards per game. The Cats' per-game scoring average ranks second in the Big 12 and 19th nationally.
The Wildcats have scored 19 rushing touchdowns and 10 passing touchdowns. The offense has suffered seven interceptions, 16 sacks and two lost fumbles. Out of 29 red zone possessions, Kansas State has scored 24 touchdowns.
The Wildcats’ starting quarterback has been senior Will Howard (#18), but freshman backup quarterback Avery Johnson (#12) led K-State’s victory over the Red Raiders. Johnson ran 12 times for 91 yards and scored all five of the Cats’ touchdowns on runs.
For the season, Johnson has completed 11-of-13 passes for 132 yards. He has not thrown a touchdown pass or an interception. He has a long completion of 24 yards.
Howard has completed 112-of-182 passes for 1,310 yards. He has thrown nine touchdown passes and seven interceptions. He has a long completion of 44 yards.
K-State’s most prolific receiver has been junior tight end Ben Sinnott (#34). He has caught 26 passes for 358 yards. He has caught three touchdown passes. He has a long reception of 42 yards.
Senior wide receiver Phillip Brooks (#8) has caught 31 passes for 323 yards and two touchdowns. He has a long reception of 39 yards.
Senior wide receiver Jadon Jackson (#0) has caught 15 passes for 191 yards and two touchdowns. His longest catch has been for 40 yards.
Sophomore wide receiver RJ Garcia II (#3) has caught 12 passes for 178 yards and one touchdown. He has a long reception of 44 yards.
Sophomore running back DJ Giddens (#31) has 17 receptions for 140 yards. He has a long catch of 24 yards.
Giddens is Kansas State’s leading rusher. He has carried the football 94 times for 541 yards and four touchdowns. He is averaging 90.17 rushing yards per game. He has a long run of 43 yards.
Senior running back Treshaun Ward (#9) has rushed 60 times for 337 yards, an average of 67.40 yards per game. He has two rushing touchdowns and a long run of 20 yards.
Howard has rushed 41 times for 227 yards. He has six rushing touchdowns and a long run of 70 yards.
Johnson has rushed 23 times for 154 yards and six touchdowns. He has a long run of 30 yards.
Howard and Ward are two of three players in the nation that have passed
for a touchdown, rushed for a touchdown and caught a touchdown pass this
season. The other player is Penn State's Trey Potts.
Defensively, K-State uses a 3-3-5 alignment. The Wildcats are ranked 10th nationally in
tackles for loss, 21st in rushing defense and 21st in third-down defense.
The Cats are allowing opponents to pass for 265.5 yards per game, rush for 108.2 yards per game and score 20.67 points per game.
Kansas State has been allowing big plays, particularly through the air. The Wildcats rank last in the Big 12 in passing yards allowed.
Opponents have scored five rushing touchdowns and seven passing touchdowns against K-State.
Kansas State defenders have intercepted five passes, recorded eight sacks and forced four fumbles, recovering two of them. Within the red zone, K-State opponents have only scored six touchdowns on 17 possessions.
Senior linebacker Austin Moore (#41) has made 38 tackles, including 7.5 for loss. He has recorded one sack.
Senior safety Kobe Savage (#2) has 33 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, two interceptions and two quarterback-hurries
Junior safety Marques Sigle (#21) has 29 tackles, including two tackles for loss. He has been credited with three pass break-ups.
Sophomore cornerback Will Lee III (#8) has 23 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, one interception and two pass break-ups.
Senior defensive end Kahlid Duke (#29) has only 11 tackles, but he has seven tackles for loss, five sacks and one forced fumble.
Junior defensive end Nate Matlack (#97) has 4.5 tackles for loss and three sacks.
Junior kicker Chris Tennant (#17) has converted five-of-seven field goal attempts. He has a long field goal of 51 yards. He has not had a field goal attempt blocked.
Senior punter Jack Blumer (#43) has punted 22 times. He has an average of 43.27 yards. He has a long punt of 69 yards. He has not had a punt blocked.
TCU is a four-point underdog against Kansas State. The over-under for total points scored by both teams is 56.5.
After Kansas State, TCU will enjoy a bye on October 28.
The Frogs will play Texas Tech at 6 pm (Central) in Lubbock on Thursday, November 2. FS1 will broadcast the game.
TCU will host Texas on Saturday, November 11 and Baylor on November 18. Kickoff times and TV details are to be announced.
The Frogs will end the 2023 regular season with an 11 am (Central) game at Oklahoma on November 24, the Friday after Thanksgiving. Fox will televise the game.
Dykes talks about the game against Kansas
State: here
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| (photos above and below) The last time TCU and Kansas State played each other in Manhattan, Kansas, was on October 30, 2021. The Wildcats prevailed, 31-12. It was the last game for TCU with Gary Patterson as its head football coach, and the last time Gary and his wife Kelsey walked off the field together after a TCU football game. -- Photos by Tom C. "Midnite" Burke |
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| (photos above and below) TCU and Kansas State last played each other on December 3, 2022, in the Big 12 Conference Championship Game in AT&T Stadium, in Arlington, Texas. Trailing 28-17, quarterback Max Duggan (#15) rallied No. 3 TCU in the final 7:34 of regulation to score 11 points and force overtime. The No. 10 Wildcats won the game on a 31-yard field goal after the Frogs failed to score on their first possession of overtime. -- Photos by Tom C. "Midnite" Burke |
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