The Texas Tech football team fell to TCU 52-31 in a lopsided affair. The Red Raiders dropped to 4-2 on the season and 1-2 in Big 12 play. TCU improved to 3-2 on the season and 1-1 in Big 12 play.
In what was supposed to be a celebratory homecoming game for the Red Raiders, TCU rushed for 394 yards and five touchdowns to hand Tech its third straight loss to the Horned Frogs.
TCU Dominates the First Half
On the first drive of the game, TCU running back Zach Evans had back-to-back runs of at least 25 yards. TCU finished the drive when quarterback Max Duggan found receiver Quincy Brown for a four-yard touchdown.
After Tech went three-and-out on its opening drive, TCU embarked on a 79-yard touchdown drive that put the Horned Frogs up 14-0 midway through the first quarter.
The Red Raiders cut into the lead with a 75-yard drive punctuated by a four-yard touchdown run from running back SaRodorick Thompson.
TCU answered back with another touchdown drive. Duggan found receiver Derrius Davis for a 42-yard gain that closed the first quarter. On the first play of the second quarter, Evans plunged into the endzone to give the Horned Frogs a 21-7 lead.
The next possession for the Red Raiders ended after one play. Quarterback Henry Colombi threw a pass that was tipped into the arms of TCU defensive back Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson who returned it 29-yards for a touchdown.
Tech added a field goal to make the score 28-10. TCU responded by completing its fourth touchdown drive of the second half. Evans powered into the endzone for his second score of the game giving TCU a commanding 35-10 lead heading into halftime.
Comeback Attempt Comes Too Late
After a field goal gave TCU a 38-10 lead six minutes into the third quarter, the Red Raider offense found a rhythm.
Colombi hit receiver Kaylon Geiger on a deep pass that set Tech up with a first and goal at the TCU three. Thompson capped the drive with his second rushing touchdown of the game.
TCU went up 45-17 on a one-play drive that saw running back Kendre Miller score his second touchdown on a 75-yard run.
The Red Raiders responded quickly with a three-play touchdown drive. Thompson took a short pass 75-yards to the TCU 10. Running back Xavier White capped the drive with a four-yard touchdown run that cut the Horned Frogs’ lead to 45-24.
After a TCU punt, Tech went on another scoring drive. On a fourth down deep in TCU territory, Thompson ran for his third touchdown to cut the deficit to 14.
TCU recovered the ensuing onside-kick and scored just one play later. Miller scored his third touchdown of the game on a 45-yard run to give TCU an insurmountable 52-31 lead.
Comments From the Red Raiders
Evans and Miller ran for a combined 328 yards on a Tech defense that held West Virginia to just 94 total rushing yards last weekend.
Head coach Matt Wells said the major issue for the Red Raiders was stopping the run.
“We didn’t play well,” Wells said. “The bottom line is we didn’t stop the run and when you don’t do that against probably anybody it’s going to be a long night.”
Defensive linemen Tony Bradford said it was a difficult night, but the team must move forward.
“I’m a part of the D-line [defensive line], our main job is to stop the run and we weren’t successful at that today and it showed.” Bradford said. “At the end of the day, the only thing you can do from this point is move forward.”
Up Next
Tech will go on the road to play 1-4 Kansas on Saturday. The game will be the Red Raiders’ fourth Big 12 matchup of the season.
Stats
- SaRodorick Thompson rushed for 118 yards and three touchdowns.
- Thompson set a career-high with 197 all-purpose yards.
- Henry Colombi set a career-high in passing yards with 344.
- TCU QB Max Duggan threw the ball just 10 times.
- Zach Evans recorded 143 rushing yards and two touchdowns.
- Kendre Miller ran for 185 yards and three touchdowns.
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