Midnite Madness: 2024 Midnite Madness TCU-Texas Tech Football Game Photos

Photos by Tom C. "Midnite" Burke

TCU's 2024 Homecoming featured the Horned Frogs in their fourth home game and fifth Big 12 Conference game of the 2024 football season on Saturday, October 26, in Amon G. Carter Stadium. TCU beat Texas Tech, 35-34, after the Frogs staged an improbable comeback after trailing by 17 points late in the game.

Prior to kickoff of the TCU-Texas Tech football game, a moment of silence was held in honor of G. Malcolm Louden, who recently passed away. He was a longtime supporter of TCU and TCU Athletics, was the former chairman of the TCU Intercollegiate Athletics Committee and was an honorary TCU letterman.

(photos above and below) TCU's homecoming game against Texas Tech featured a flyover of a Lockheed C-130 Hercules, with the pilot and crew from Dyess Air Force Base, Abilene, Texas.

TCU head football coach Sonny Dykes is 2-1 as a head coach versus Texas Tech, with all three meetings against his alma mater coming during his time at TCU.

With the 35-34 loss to TCU on Saturday, Texas Tech head football coach Joey McGuire saw his overall record at Tech fall to 20-14. He is in his third season as head coach of the Red Raiders.

(photos above and below) Here come the Horned Frogs!

(photos above and below) Here come the Red Raiders!

TCU's captains were (from left to right) honorary captain Joey Hunt, Savion Williams (#3), Bud Clark (#21), Brent Matiscik (#42) and Josh Hoover (#10).

(photos above and below) TCU's offense had the green light against the Red Raiders and totaled 461 yards; 344 yards passing and 117 yards rushing. TCU scored for the 402nd consecutive game, the second-longest streak in NCAA history. No. 1 is Florida at 455 games (1988-present). The Horned Frogs haven't been blanked since November 16, 1991, at Texas (32-0). Against Texas Tech, TCU had its two longest passing plays of the season -- touchdown receptions of 75 and 84 yards. The Horned Frogs also had their longest rushing play of the year -- a 35-yard first-quarter touchdown run.

After throwing two interceptions and losing a fumble and seeing the Horned Frogs fall behind by 17 points late in the game, TCU sophomore quarterback Josh Hoover (#10) did his best to hide on the Frogs' sideline. Hoover eventually would go from being a goat to a hero, as he orchestrated an improbable comeback that ended in a 35-34 TCU victory.

(photos above and below) TCU sophomore quarterback Josh Hoover completed 21-of-32 passes for 344 yards against Texas Tech. He threw three touchdown passes. He also threw two interceptions and lost a fumble when he was sacked. Hoover passed for at least 300 yards for the 10th time in 14 career starts and threw for at least three scores for the sixth time.

(photos above and below) TCU junior wide receiver Eric McAlister (#88), a transfer from Boise State, completed TCU's comeback with an 84-yard touchdown pass from Josh Hoover. The score and extra point by Kyle Lemmermann gave TCU a 35-34 lead with 5:10 remaining in the game. The reception tied for the 12th-longest pass play in TCU history and was the longest since Kenny Hill hit Jalen Reagor for a 93-yard touchdown in TCU's 2017 Alamo Bowl win over Stanford.

(photos above and below) TCU senior wide receiver Savion Williams (#3) caught a career-long 75-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Josh Hoover in the first quarter. It was TCU’s longest pass play of the year, before Eric McAlister's 84-yard scoring grab. Williams had three receptions for 81 yards against Tech.

(photos above and below) On this play in the first quarter, TCU wide receiver Savion Williams (#3) used a spin move to escape the grasp of Texas Tech defensive back Macho Stevenson (#12) and eventually score a touchdown on a 35-yard run. The run was the longest carry of Williams' career and the longest rush by a Horned Frog this season. Williams topped TCU in rushing for the second straight game with his second consecutive 72-yard effort.

TCU senior wide receiver Jack Bech (#18), a transfer from LSU, caught four passes for 77 yards against Texas Tech. He had a long reception of 52 yards.

(photos above and below) TCU senior wide receiver Jack Bech (#18), a transfer from LSU, made this apparent touchdown catch early in the fourth quarter. It was nullified by an illegal motion penalty called against tight end DJ Rogers.

(photos above and below) One play after an illegal motion penalty against him cost Jack Bech and TCU a touchdown, TCU junior tight end DJ Rogers (#0) caught an eight-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Josh Hoover. The touchdown was the second of three TCU scores that resulted in the Horned Frogs' 35-34 comeback victory over Texas Tech. The touchdown was Rogers' second career touchdown reception. His first career touchdown reception came last season at Texas Tech.

(photos above and below) TCU senior wide receiver JP Richardson (#7), a transfer from Oklahoma State, caught four passes for 35 yards against Texas Tech. Richardson has at least one catch in 35 consecutive games, tying for the seventh-longest streak in the nation.

(photos above and below) TCU freshman running back Jeremy Payne (#26) rushed three times for 17 yards against Texas Tech. He had a one-yard touchdown run late in the third quarter that began TCU's comeback to a victory over the Red Raiders. The touchdown was Payne's second rushing touchdown of the season.

(photos above and below) TCU senior tight end Drake Dabney (#9), a transfer from Baylor, caught four passes for 32 yards against Texas Tech.

(photos above and below) TCU junior running back Trent Battle (#17) rushed seven times for a net 10 yards against Texas Tech.

After TCU's offensive miscues resulted in the Horned Frogs falling behind the Red Raiders by 17 points, TCU's defense kept the Frogs in the game by making several big defensive stops. The defense held Tech to three points in the fourth quarter and preserved TCU's 35-34 lead for the final 5:10 of the game. Texas Tech had 438 yards of total offense; 180 rushing yards and 258 passing yards.

TCU's biggest defensive play of the Frogs 35-34 victory over Texas Tech came with 1:38 left in the game. Senior defensive lineman Hakeem Ajijolaiya (#93) hit Texas Tech freshman quarterback Will Hammond (#15) and forced a fumble that was recovered by TCU redshirt defensive lineman Markis Deal (#95) at the TCU 27-yard line. Markis Deal and TCU linebacker Devean Deal are brothers and are one of only four sets of brothers to start on defense for a Football Bowl Subdivision school this season.

(photos above and below) Senior defensive lineman Hakeem Ajijolaiya (#93) hit Texas Tech freshman quarterback Will Hammond (#15) and forced a fumble that was recovered by TCU redshirt defensive lineman Markis Deal (#95) at the TCU 27-yard line, with 1:38 left in the game. The play prevented Tech from being able to attempt a possible game-winning field goal. It was the first career forced fumble for Ajijolaiya.

For what seemed like an eternity for TCU fans, officials reviewed the fumble by Texas Tech freshman quarterback Will Hammond that was forced by TCU senior defensive lineman Hakeem Ajijolaiya and recovered by TCU redshirt defensive lineman Markis Deal. The play eventually was officially ruled a fumble and a recovery by the Frogs.

TCU junior safety Bud Clark (#21) tackles Texas Tech senior running back Tahj Brooks (#28). Clark had eight tackles, which were one shy of a career-high nine set last season against Colorado. Brooks, who is one of the best collegiate running backs in the country, ran 30 times for 121 yards and one touchdown. The TCU defense held Brooks to his lowest yards-per-carry average (4.0) of the season and limited his explosiveness to a long run of 12 yards.

TCU junior linebacker Devean Deal (#11), a transfer from Tulane, tackles Texas Tech senior running back Tahj Brooks (#28). With nine tackles, Deal was TCU's tackle co-leader against the Red Raiders.

TCU junior linebacker Devean Deal (#11), a transfer from Tulane, pressures Texas Tech junior starting quarterback Behren Morton (#2). TCU's defense held Morton to 13-of-22 passing, for 137 yards and no touchdowns. A sack in the game by Deal gave him a team-leading 3.5 on the season. He has three sacks in the last two games.

(photos above and below) TCU redshirt defensive lineman Zachary Chapman (#42) sacks Texas Tech junior starting quarterback Behren Morton (#2). The sack, which was Chapman's third of the year, resulted in an injury to Morton which forced him to miss the second half of the game. Chapman is second on the TCU team in sacks, behind junior linebacker Devean Deal.

TCU junior safety Bud Clark (#21) and senior linebacker Johnny Hodges (#57), a transfer from Navy, tackle Texas Tech senior wide receiver Josh Kelly (#3). Clark's eight tackles were one shy of a career-high nine, set last season against Colorado. Hodges had eight tackles in the win over the Red Raiders.

(photos above and below) TCU junior cornerback Jevon McIver, Jr. (#20), a transfer from Austin Peay, prevents long pass completions to Texas Tech receivers, including junior Caleb Douglas (#5).

(photos above and below) TCU senior linebacker Namdi Obiazor (#4) was instrumental in limiting the damage done by Texas Tech senior running back Tahj Brooks (#28). Obiazor, along with linebacker Devean Deal, led TCU's defense with nine tackles each.

TCU senior defensive lineman NaNa Osafo-Mensah (#54) pressures Texas Tech junior starting quarterback Behren Morton (#2). Osafo-Mensah had two tackles and one quarterback hurry in the game against the Red Raiders.

TCU senior cornerback LaMareon "Scud" James (#6), a transfer from Old Dominion, prevents a long pass completion to Texas Tech sophomore wide receiver Coy Eakin (#8).

(photos above and below) Texas Tech senior running back Tahj Brooks (#28), who as one of the best collegiate running backs in the nation has rushed for at least 100 yards in every game this season, rushed 30 times for 121 yards against TCU.

In addition to rushing for 121 yards against the Horned Frogs, Texas Tech senior running back Tahj Brooks (#28) had a four-yard touchdown run in the second quarter.

(photos above and below) Texas Tech junior wide receiver Caleb Douglas (#5) was the Red Raiders' leading receiver against TCU. He caught nine passes for 140 yards.

One of Texas Tech junior wide receiver Caleb Douglas' nine catches against the Horned Frogs was a 44-yarder, despite the coverage of TCU senior cornerback LaMareon "Scud" James (#6).

(photos above and below) Despite the coverage of TCU junior cornerback Channing Canada (#7), Tech Tech sophomore wide receiver Coy Eakin (#8) caught a 13-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter of the Red Raiders' 35-34 loss to the Horned Frogs. Eakin had four receptions for 56 yards against TCU.

(photos above and below) Against TCU, Texas Tech junior quarterback Behren Morton (#2) completed 13-of-22 passes for 137 yards. He was sacked once, which resulted in an injury that sidelined him for the second half of the game.

(photos above and below) Texas Tech freshman quarterback Will Hammond (#15) replaced the injured Behren Morton in the second half of the Red Raiders' game against TCU. He completed 10-of-15 passes for 121 yards. He threw one touchdown pass and he had a four-yard touchdown run in the third quarter.

Against TCU, Texas Tech freshman running back J'Koby Williams (#20) rushed eight times for 42 yards. He averaged 5.3 yards per rush.

Texas Tech senior kicker Reese Burkhardt (#38) missed a 50-yard field goal attempt.

Texas Tech senior kicker Gino Garcia (#99) converted two field goal attempts against the Horned Frogs, of 38 yards and 24 yards. His 24-yarder at 11:13 of the fourth quarter accounted for Tech's final three points of their 35-34 loss.

(photos above and below) In the second quarter, Texas Tech was trailing 14-3 and faced fourth-and-goal from the TCU four-yard line. The Red Raiders lined up for a field goal attempt, but instead, junior punter/holder Jack Burgess (#41) took the snap and flipped the ball to senior kicker Reese Burkhardt (#38), who ran untouched four yards for his first career touchdown.

In celebration of his touchdown on the fake field goal play, Texas Tech kicker Reese Burkhardt lifted his jersey and pulled down his undershirt, which featured a handwritten message of "Trump 24! MAGA."

(photos above and below) TCU sophomore quarterback Josh Hoover (#10) often was pressured by Texas Tech defenders, including sophomore defensive back Brenden Jordan (#7), redshirt junior linebacker Jacob Rodriguez (#10) and junior outside linebacker Charles Esters III (#11). The pressure resulted in three turnovers by Hoover; two interceptions and a fumble.

(photos above and below) Texas Tech senior defensive back C.J. Baskerville (#9) and sophomore defensive back Chapman Lewis (#25) intercepted Josh Hoover passes. In addition to his interception, Lewis was Tech's co-leader in tackles, with seven. Baskerville had four tackles, including 1.5 tackles for loss.

Texas Tech sophomore linebacker Ben Roberts ((#13) and junior outside linebacker Isaac Smith (#17) tackle TCU junior running back Trent Battle (#17). Against TCU, Roberts was Texas Tech's co-leader in tackles, with seven. Smith had three tackles.

(photos above and below) TCU sophomore quarterback Josh Hoover (#10) was sacked three times by the Red Raiders, including once by sophomore outside linebacker Harvey Dyson III (#11). Dyson also had a tackle for loss in the game.

(photos above and below) The Red Raiders forced a fumble by TCU sophomore quarterback Josh Hoover (#10). Sophomore outside linebacker Harvey Dyson III (#11) was credited with forcing the fumble.

(photos above and below) In addition to being credited with forcing the fumble by TCU sophomore quarterback Josh Hoover (#10), Texas Tech sophomore outside linebacker Harvey Dyson III (#11) was credited with recovering the fumble.

Four plays after Texas Tech recovered Josh Hoover's fumble at the TCU four-yard line, the Red Raiders scored their first touchdown of the game on a fake field goal.

With the 35-34 victory over Texas Tech, the Horned Frogs have won five of the last six meetings and eight of the past 11 games against the Red Raiders. TCU's next game is against Baylor, in Waco, on Saturday, November 2, at 7:30 pm (Central). The game will be televised on ESPN2.

TCU's victory over Texas Tech returned the coveted Saddle Trophy to Fort Worth. It had been in Lubbock since Tech's victory over TCU last season. The battle for the Saddle Trophy is a longtime tradition that was renewed in 2017. TCU and Tech used to compete annually in the West Texas Championship for the Saddle Trophy, before it went away in the early 1970s. Thanks to M.L. Leddy's Boots & Saddlery of Fort Worth, the Saddle Trophy returned and headed to Fort Worth after TCU's 27-3 victory in Lubbock five years ago. The Saddle Trophy sits on a stand and includes the logos for TCU and Texas Tech. Scores for 60-plus years of the rivalry are represented on the stand.