TCU Football continues to build momentum as the team secured its third consecutive victory, bringing its record to 8-4 overall and 6-3 in Big 12 play.
This victory marks a significant accomplishment for the Horned Frogs as they have now won five of their last six games. Under head coach Sonny Dykes, TCU has experienced a resurgence in recent seasons. With Dykes on staff, the Horned Frogs have now reached eight wins for the third time since 2015. This achievement is especially notable as Dykes was an analyst on the 2017 team that finished with 11 wins and a spot in a major bowl. He also led TCU to its best-ever finish in 2022, with a College Football Playoff appearance and a 13-win season. The 2024 season has continued that upward trajectory with another strong performance on both sides of the ball.
The game was a tale of two halves as TCU held a solid 20-7 lead at halftime. This was a familiar position for the Horned Frogs, as under Dykes’ leadership, they now hold an impressive 21-3 record when leading at the break. Additionally, TCU has been nearly unbeatable when ahead going into the fourth quarter, with a 23-2 record in such situations. These statistics reflect the team’s ability to maintain its focus and effectively close out games, a trait that has been crucial to their recent success.
TCU’s win over Cincinnati also highlighted a bit of history between the two programs. This was just the fourth meeting between the two schools, with the series now tied 2-2. The previous three games took place between 2002 and 2004 when both teams were in Conference USA. Since then, TCU has moved into the Big 12, and Cincinnati has become a member of the Big 12 as well, which set the stage for this latest matchup. The Horned Frogs made sure to continue their success against Cincinnati, maintaining the series tie with a solid performance.
One of the more remarkable aspects of TCU’s football program is its offensive consistency. The Horned Frogs have now scored in 406 consecutive games, which is the second-longest streak in NCAA history. The only team with a longer streak is Florida, which has scored in 460 consecutive games since 1988. TCU’s streak of scoring in every game since November 16, 1991, when they were blanked by Texas 32-0, demonstrates the offensive prowess the team has built over the years.
The team’s uniform combination for this game was also a noteworthy aspect of the contest. TCU wore silver chrome helmets, white jerseys, and white pants, giving them a sleek and clean appearance on the field. While the uniform details are a small part of the game, they reflect the Horned Frogs’ approach to every aspect of the game, including their presentation.
Individually, several players stood out during the victory. On offense, Savion Williams continued his impressive scoring run, contributing two first-half touchdowns. Both of these touchdowns were 2-yard runs, bringing his season total to six rushing touchdowns, all of which have come in the last six games. This is a remarkable turnaround for Williams, who did not score a rushing touchdown in his first 46 games as a Horned Frog. Williams’ ability to score consistently in recent weeks has been a major contributor to TCU’s offensive success.
Williams wasn’t the only player to contribute to the offense, as Jack Bech reached a significant milestone in this game. Bech, one of the top wide receivers for TCU, caught three passes for 27 yards in this contest, bringing his season total to 1,034 receiving yards. With this performance, Bech became the fifth player in TCU history to surpass 1,000 receiving yards in a single season. His 1,034 yards put him in fourth place for the most receiving yards in a single season at TCU, trailing only Josh Doctson (1,327 yards in 2015), Quentin Johnston (1,069 yards in 2022), and Jalen Reagor (1,061 yards in 2018). Doctson, Johnston, and Reagor all went on to be first-round NFL draft picks, a testament to the high level of play at TCU’s wide receiver position.
JP Richardson also made an impact in the receiving game, catching two passes for 50 yards. His performance extended his streak of consecutive games with a reception to 39, tying him for the seventh-longest streak in the nation. Richardson’s ability to consistently contribute in the passing game has made him a reliable option for TCU’s offense, helping to stretch defenses and keep them honest.
Eric McAlister, another key wide receiver for the Horned Frogs, was instrumental in moving the chains during this game. McAlister finished with three receptions for 36 yards, all of which resulted in first downs. In fact, McAlister leads the nation with 93.5% of his catches (29 of 31) going for first downs. His ability to convert on critical third downs and keep drives alive has been a crucial asset for TCU’s offense.
Blake Nowell also had a solid performance, tying his career high with three receptions for 75 yards. Nowell’s ability to make big plays in the passing game has added a dynamic element to the Horned Frogs’ offense, giving quarterback Hauss Hejny multiple targets to rely on. Speaking of Hejny, the true freshman quarterback led TCU in rushing, setting a new career-high with 48 yards on eight carries. Hejny’s versatility and ability to contribute both in the air and on the ground have given TCU a dual-threat quarterback capable of keeping opposing defenses on their toes.
Defensively, TCU’s effort was highlighted by a number of standout performances. Johnny Hodges led the team in tackles with nine, continuing his strong season as one of the top linebackers on the roster. Channing Canada made a key play in the fourth quarter, intercepting a pass in the TCU end zone to prevent a potential Cincinnati scoring drive. This interception was Canada’s first career pick, and it came at a critical moment in the game, preserving the Horned Frogs’ lead and securing the victory.
Markis Deal was another defensive standout, recording three tackles for loss, including his first sack of the season. Deal’s ability to disrupt plays behind the line of scrimmage helped to limit Cincinnati’s offensive production and keep them from gaining momentum. Bud Clark also made a significant impact, forcing a fumble and recording eight tackles. Clark’s ability to make plays in the open field has been a key part of TCU’s defense all season long.
Abe Camara also contributed to the defensive effort, forcing his second fumble of the season, which was recovered by Caleb Fox, who also made his second fumble recovery of the year. These turnovers were critical in limiting Cincinnati’s scoring opportunities and maintaining TCU’s lead.
On special teams, TCU was equally impressive. Ethan Craw had a career-best 65-yard punt, which is the longest punt for the Horned Frogs since Ethan Perry’s 67-yard punt in 2014. Craw’s ability to pin Cincinnati deep in its own territory was instrumental in giving the TCU defense a strong starting position. In total, Craw averaged 47.4 yards per punt on four attempts, with each punt being downed inside the 20-yard line, including three that were downed inside the 6-yard line. His ability to flip the field and control field position was a major asset for TCU’s special teams.
Kyle Lemmermann also contributed on special teams, making field goals from 27 and 35 yards, providing important points for the Horned Frogs. His reliability in the kicking game helped TCU maintain its lead throughout the contest. Finally, Brent Matiscik recovered a muffed punt, further adding to the Horned Frogs’ special teams success.
Overall, TCU’s performance in this game was a comprehensive team effort, with contributions from both the offense and defense, as well as special teams. The Horned Frogs have now won three straight games and are poised to continue building momentum as they approach the postseason. With a balanced attack and a strong defense, TCU is positioning itself as a formidable opponent heading into the final stretch of the season.
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