Nov 4, 2017; Fort Worth, TX, USA; TCU Horned Frogs running back Kyle Hicks (21) rushes for a touchdown during the game against the Texas Longhorns at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Photo Credit: Andrew Dieb-USA TODAY Sports
FORT WORTH, Texas — Kyle Hicks ran for two touchdowns as No. 8 TCU disposed of Texas 24-7 in a defensive battle Saturday night at Amon G. Carter Stadium.
The Horned Frogs (8-1, 5-1 Big 12) set a up showdown next week at No 5 Oklahoma for first place in the Big 12 and the conference’s upper hand in the race for the College Football Playoff. TCU and the Sooners are both 5-1 in league play.
Kenny Hill accounted for 189 yards for the Horned Frogs. The senior quarterback completed 18 of 26 passes for 146 yards and ran for another 43 yards on 12 attempts.
Offense was hard to generate for each side during a sluggish second half. TCU managed 123 yards after the break, while the Longhorns had 78 yards.
But TCU’s 17-7 lead at halftime was more than enough cushion for Gary Patterson’s quad to bounce back from last week’s loss at Iowa State. The Horned Frogs did get a late rushing touchdown from Darius Anderson (99 yards on 18 carries) to put the game away.
Texas (4-5, 3-3) completed a four-game stretch featuring three top 10 teams, losing all three. The Horns are in danger of posting a fourth consecutive losing season, which has only happened once (1935-38) in program history.
Texas quarterback Shane Buechele started for the second straight game with true freshman Sam Ehlinger inactive. Buechele, the starter last season and in this season’s opener, threw for 254 yards (21-44) and a touchdown.
Lil’Jordan Humphrey had six catches for 109 yards for Texas.
The Longhorns finished with 263 yards against the Big 12’s leader in total defense and scoring defense. Texas ran for just nine yards.
The Horned Frogs scored a touchdown on their opening possession, converting a fourth down along the way via pass by KaVontae Turpin off an end-around. Hicks powered it in from the 1-yard line on the ensuing play.
Hicks crossed the goal line from 14 yards out early in the second period as TCU went up 17-0.
Buechele connected with Collin Johnson on a 33-yard score midway through the quarter for the visitor’s lone score.
NOTES: TCU is 5-1 against Texas since entering the Big 12. The Longhorns hold a 62-25-1 series lead overall. … Texas is at Kansas next week. … TCU coach Gary Patterson improved to 81-19 in 100 career home games. … The Longhorns lost thirst first true road game of the season, falling to 2-1.
