In a game that will long be remembered as one of the worst performances by TCU in recent decades, the Horned Frogs fell 66-42 to SMU on Saturday afternoon. The loss marked a low point for TCU, which struggled in all phases of the game against their cross-metroplex rival.
TCU’s afternoon unraveled early, with the Mustangs quickly taking advantage of Horned Frog mistakes. SMU converted five turnovers into 24 points, and the Frogs' special teams woes culminated in a punt return touchdown, giving SMU a massive momentum swing. As the game progressed, TCU’s inability to execute on offense, defense, or special teams became glaringly apparent.
Trailing 17-0 early, TCU showed some resilience in the second quarter. A 14-play, 65-yard drive was capped by quarterback Josh Hoover’s 1-yard sneak, and shortly after, a forced fumble by Caleb Fox led to a 7-yard rushing touchdown by Cam Cook, bringing the Frogs back within 17-14. However, that glimmer of hope quickly faded as SMU pulled away again, entering halftime with a commanding 41-21 lead.
Despite being down at the break, TCU managed to close the gap briefly in the third quarter. A 90-yard drive ended with a 46-yard touchdown grab by Jack Bech, who finished the game with 166 yards and two touchdowns. Another scoring pass from Hoover to Bech in the second half provided a brief spark, but TCU’s defense couldn’t contain SMU’s relentless offense. The Mustangs continued to exploit TCU’s weaknesses, running for 238 yards and 5.7 yards per carry, with Brashard Smith leading the way with 127 yards and three touchdowns.
Offensively, TCU struggled to generate any consistent rhythm on the ground, averaging just 2.0 yards per carry, further compounding their issues. Penalties also played a significant role in the defeat, as TCU racked up 14 penalties for 135 yards, including back-to-back unsportsmanlike conduct calls on head coach Sonny Dykes at the start of the second half.
What should have been a hard-fought rivalry game turned into a blowout, and it was clear the Horned Frogs were outmatched in every facet. The turnovers, undisciplined penalties, and lack of motivation left TCU fans in disbelief, wondering how the team had fallen so far in such a short time.
As TCU looks ahead, the road doesn't get easier. They return to Big 12 play next week to face Kansas at Arrowhead Stadium, hoping to regroup and salvage what has become a challenging season. For now, however, Saturday’s loss will linger as a harsh reminder of the work that lies ahead.
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