TCU-Cincinnatii 2025 Football Game Photos

Photos by Tom C. "Midnite" Burke

(photos above and below) TCU's last regular-season game of the 2025 season was a home game against Big 12 Conference foe Cincinnati on Saturday, November 29. The Horned Frogs defeated the Bearcats 45-23 before an announced crowd of 37,259. FOX televised the game. TCU finished the regular season with an 8-4 overall record and a 5-4 Big 12 record. TCU finished ninth in the 16-team conference. Under head coach Sonny Dykes's four-year reign, the Frogs improved to 19-5 at home.

Prior to the game, TCU head football coach Sonny Dykes visits with University of Cincinnati head football coach Scott Satterfield. 

TCU head football coach Sonny Dykes (right) visits with Mark Tommerdahl, who is a special assistant to Dykes.

The traditional salute to America, but no flyover.

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

(photos above and below) Here come the Bearcats!

TCU captains Coltin Deery (#51), Chase Curtis (#81) and Josh Hoover (#10) are joined for the coin toss by TCU football legend Mike Renfro, who was the TCU Block T honorary captain for the game. Renfro was a receiver for the Horned Frogs from 1974-1977. After TCU, he had a 10-year career in the National Football League (NFL). He last played for the Dallas Cowboys.

(photos above and below) TCU's offense started fast against Cincinnati. The Frogs scored on their first drive when TCU quarterback Josh Hoover (#10) threw a three-yard touchdown pass to Joseph Manjack IV (#14), with just over five minutes gone in the game. The Frogs scored on their opening drive for the second time in as many games and for the fourth time this season.

TCU wide receiver Joseph Manjack IV (#14) celebrates his three-yard touchdown reception with TCU wide receiver Jordan Dwyer (#7).

(photos above and below) During TCU's second possession of its home game with the University of Cincinnati, (with 7:59 remaining in the first quarter), Mother Nature unleashed her fury on Amon G. Carter Stadium through a cold front that produced heavy rain, colder weather and lightening, which caused a stoppage in play. The Horned Frogs were leading 7-0 when play was stopped. The delay lasted 93 minutes, from 3:01 pm (Central) to 4:34 pm (Central). Last year, TCU and Cincinnati played their regular-season finales against each other in Cincinnati. At kickoff, it was 32 degrees and snowing. Perhaps these two teams should play future games against each other in Hawaii! This was TCU's second home game of the 2025 season to be delayed by lightening. TCU's 42-36 victory over Baylor on October 18 was delayed by lightening three times, for a total of two hours and 16 minutes. It took five hours and 50 minutes to complete that game.

Clearer skies and calmer weather eventually prevailed over Amon G. Carter Stadium. TCU found the pot of gold under the rainbow, out-scoring Cincinnati 38-23 after the game resumed, for a comfortable 45-23 victory over the Bearcats.

Against Cincinnati, TCU's offense enjoyed its most complete game since the Frogs' season-opener against the University of North Carolina. TCU had 544 total yards of offense and did not commit a turnover. The 544 yards were a season high, surpassing the 542 yards tallied against North Carolina. TCU scored 21 first-quarter points, the most in any first quarter since the Frogs scored 24 in the first period against Iowa State on November 26, 2022. TCU's 31 first-half points were the most since the Frogs scored as many against BYU on October 14, 2023. TCU scored for the 419th consecutive game, the second longest streak in NCAA history, trailing only Florida (471 games).

TCU's offensive line dominated Cincinnati's defensive line. The Horned Frogs ran the football 52 times for 238 net yards. The 238 rushing yards led the Big 12 for the week. Four different runners averaged over four yards per carry in the win over Cincinnati. For its performance against the Bearcats, TCU's offensive line was named the Big 12's Offensive Line of the Week. It was the first time this season TCU's offensive line was recognized with the award. Making up this version of the TCU offensive line are (from left to right) senior Carson Bruno (#62), sophomore Cooper Powers (#77), senior Coltin Deery (#51), senor Cade Bennett (#60) and junior Ben Taylor-Whitfield (#56).

(photos above and below) TCU junior quarterback Josh Hoover (#10) ignited the Horned Frogs' offense against the University of Cincinnati. In the first half, Hoover threw for 216 yards and three touchdowns on 12-0f-14 passing. He finished with more touchdown passes than incompletions. He threw for 306 yards and four touchdowns on 19-of-22 passing. It was Hoover's 16th game, in 31 career starts, throwing for 300-plus yards, the most in TCU history. Hoover's performance earned him his second weekly honor from the Davey O'Brien Award as one of their "Great 8."

TCU head football coach Sonny Dykes congratulates junior quarterback Josh Hoover (#10) on an outstanding performance in the Horned Frogs' 45-23 win over the University of Cincinnati.

(photos above and below) TCU sophomore running back Jeremy Payne (#26) ran 26 times for 174 yards and two touchdowns. It was the most rushing yards by a Frog since Kendre Miller ran for 185 yards at Texas Tech in 2021. Payne also had 44 receiving yards against Cincinnati. His 218 total yards from scrimmage were the most by a TCU running back since Robert Merrill tallied 231 yards at Houston in 2003. This was the second consecutive 100-yard rushing game for Payne, the first time a TCU running back has done that since Emani Bailey in 2023. For his performance, Payne earned his first career Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week honor. 

(photos above and below) Despite the efforts of Cincinnati defenders Xavier Williams (#36), Autwan Peek, Jr. (#46) and Jaylon White-McClain (#16),  TCU sophomore running back Jeremy Payne (#26) had two rushing touchdowns. He scored on a nine-yard run in the second quarter and on a 51-yard run in the fourth quarter. 

(photos above and below) TCU wide receiver Eric McAlister (#1) caught eight passes for 101 yards and one touchdown in TCU's 45-23 win over Cincinnati. He had a long reception of 27 yards. His touchdown reception covered 17 yards. It came on the fifth play of TCU's first possession after play resumed following the lightening delay. The Horned Frogs' lead increased to 14-0. McAlister passed Quentin Johnston (1,069) for second place on the TCU all-time single-season  receiving yards leader-board. He trails Josh Doctson (1,327 yards). McAlister eclipsed 100-yards receiving for the sixth time this season, tying Josh Doctson's 2015 mark for the most in a single season in TCU history. It was his fourth game in the past five to record at least 100 receiving yards. McAlister has set personal season highs in catches (64) and receiving yards, and has doubled his previous best single-season touchdown mark (five).

(photos above and below) TCU wide receiver Eric McAlister hauled in a 17-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter of TCU's 45-23 win over the University of Cincinnati. McAlister moved into a tie for third place all-time, with Mike Renfro and Jeremy Kerley, on the team’s single season receiving touchdown leader-board with 10, trailing only Doctson’s 2014 (11) and 2015 (14) seasons. It was his 10th touchdown catch of the season, doubling his previous career-best of five touchdown catches in a season. 

(photos above and below) TCU wide receiver Jordan Dwyer (#7) makes a 69-yard touchdown catch against the University of Cincinnati. Dwyer's touchdown was the Frogs' third of the game. Dwyer caught three passes for 84 yards against Cincinnati. He had a second touchdown in the third quarter when he recovered in the end zone a fumble by TCU wide receiver Joseph Manjack IV after Manjack had made a 44-yard reception. TCU's lead increased to 38-17 after Dwyer's alert play.

TCU true freshman running back Jon Denman (#13) rushed 10 times for 29 yards against Cincinnati. 

(photos above and below) After a third-and-goal play from Cincinnati's one-yard line in the second quarter, TCU quarterback Josh Hoover (#10) received a 15-yard unsportsmanlike penalty. Facing a fourth-and-goal from the 16-yard line, TCU elected to have Nate McCashland (#99) attempt a 32-yard field goal. McCashland's kick was good and TCU's lead increased to 24-14.

TCU's defense held Cincinnati to 397 yards. The Bearcats rushed for 115 yards and passed for 282 yards. Cincinnati scored 17 points in the first half, but just six points in the second half. The Horned Frogs played defense by committee, with five players recording four or more tackles. Sophomore safety Jordan Lester (#22) led the way for the group with six tackles.

(photos above and below) TCU linebacker Namdi Obiazor (#4) and defensive end Devean Deal (#11) made four tackles each in TCU's win over the University of Cincinnati. Obiazor also had a tackle-for-loss. Deal also had a tackle-for-loss, a sack and a quarterback-hurry.

TCU linebacker Kaleb Elarms-Orr (#3) had five tackles and a quarterback-hurry in TCU's 45-23 victory over the University of Cincinnati.

In the second quarter, TCU sophomore linebacker Hudson Hooper (#37) recovered a muffed punt by Cincinnati's Manny Covey.

(photo above) TCU junior safety Jamel Johnson (#2) tackles University of Cincinnati quarterback Brendan Sorsby (#2) and (photo below) University of Cincinnati running back Evan Pryor. Johnson and the Horned Frogs' defense held Sorsby to 59 rushing yards and Pryor to eight rushing yards. Johnson had five tackles and a pass break-up in the Frogs' win.

Sophomore safety Jordan Lester (#22) denies Cincinnati wide receiver Cyrus Allen (#4) of making a touchdown catch. Lester also led TCU's defense with six tackles.

TCU defensive end Paul Oyewale (#97) battles Cincinnati offensive lineman Deondre Buford (#56) to pressure Cincinnati quarterback Brendan Sorsby (#2). For the game, Oyewale was credited with 1/2 of a tackle-for-loss and 1/2 of a sack.

After being sacked by true freshman safety Julius Simms (#31), Cincinnati quarterback Brendan Sorsby (#2) is offered a helping hand by Cincinnati offensive lineman Evan Tengesdahl (#50). In the game, Simms also had a tackle-for-loss. TCU junior defensive tackle Ansel Din-Mbuh had two tackles and a quarterback-hurry in the victory over the Bearcats. Senior cornerback Channing Canada (#7) had four tackles. Senior linebacker Namdi Obiaor (#4) had four tackles, including a tackle-for-loss. 

University of Cincinnati redshirt-junior quarterback Brendan Sorsby (#2) led the Bearcats' offense against TCU. Sorsby completed 23-of-33 passes for 282 yards and three touchdowns. 

(photos above and below) University of Cincinnati redshirt-junior quarterback Brendan Sorsby (#2) is a dual-threat quarterback. Against TCU, he was Cincinnati's leading rusher, with 59 net yards on 10 carries. He had a long run of 41 yards. 

(photos above and below) In the loss to TCU, University of Cincinnati redshirt-senior running back Tawee Walker (#3) ran six times for 48 yards. He had a long run of 20 yards. He also caught three passes for 12 yards.

(photos above and below) University of Cincinnati running back Evan Pryor (#6) scored a touchdown in the first quarter on a 26-yard catch-and-run play. It was the Bearcats' first touchdown of the game.

Cincinnati junior wide receiver Caleb Goodie (#10) was the Bearcats' leading receiver against TCU, including senior cornerback Channing Canada (#7) and sophomore safety Jordan Lester (#22)

Cincinnati senior wide receiver Jeff Caldwell (#9) makes a catch, despite the defensive efforts of TCU senior cornerback Jevon McIver, Jr. (#20). Against the Horned Frogs, Caldwell caught four passes for 42 yards, including a 14-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter.

University of Cincinnati redshirt-senior kicker Stephen Rusnak (#99) kicked a 26-yard field goal in the second quarter against the Horned Frogs. The Bearcats trailed TCU 31-17 at halftime. 

University of Cincinnati senior cornerback Matthew McDoom (#0) led Cincinnati's defense with a game-high eight tackles against TCU.

Cincinnati sophomore linebacker Montay (#44) sacks TCU quarterback Josh Hoover (#10). It was the only sack of Hoover by the Bearcats.

With an 8-4 regular-season record, TCU qualified for a bowl game. TCU's bowl destination should be announced by Sunday, December 7.