FORT WORTH, TX – TCU (2-0) moves to 2-0 on the season after defeating Cal (0-2) in a 34-32 victory in Fort Worth on Saturday afternoon.
Cal had the first drive of the game and it didn’t take long for quarterback Chase Garbers to start throwing bombs down field. Garbers completed a 49 yard pass to Kekoa Crawford to the TCU 16 for the first down. Cal came up short on the fourth down and TCU started their offense at the seven yard line. The Horned Frogs only got 28 total yards of offense on their first series and were forced to punt.
Cal received the ball at the 32 yard line and Garbers was on it again. He threw to Trevon Clark for a 54 yard touchdown putting the Golden Bears on the board, 6-0. The two-point conversion failed after Cal fumbled the ball after the snap.
TCU continued to struggle against Cal’s defense. The Frogs next series was short lived. They gained three total yards in three plays and were forced to punt, yet again.
TCU’s defense came back and held their own, holding Cal to seven total yards in three plays and forcing the Golden Bears to punt for the second time in the first half.
Thinking that TCU’s offense couldn’t get any worse, after stopping Cal and forcing the punt, quarterback Max Duggan threw a pick six, running up Cal’s score to 12-0 with 10:02 left in the first half.
Duggan redeemed himself and threw to Blair Conwright for a 30 yard touchdown with 6:01 left in the half, putting TCU on the board 12-7.
Cal answered with a pass to Trevon Clark for 68 yards to the TCU 7 for a first down and finished with a seven yard pass to Nikko Remigio for a touchdown, pushing their lead to 19-7.
With 0:28 left in the half TCU was determined to go into the locker room with momentum on their side. Duggan threw a 14 yard pass to Derius Davis for the first down and running back Zach Evans completed the play with a 51 yard touchdown.
The Horned Frogs went into the half down 14-19.
TCU came out of the tunnel to start the second half with a chip on their shoulder. Their first series of the third quarter lasted 6 minutes and the football was in the hands of seven different players. The Frogs ran 15 plays for 75 total yards and it ended with a 18 yard pass from Duggans to wide receiver Quentin Johnson for a touchdown. TCU took their first lead of the night, 21-19.
Cal’s first series in the second half ended shortly and the Golden Bears were forced to punt. Cal had a great first half but their offense was stuck the entire third quarter, ending the quarter scoreless.
Duggan continued to overthrow his receivers and TCU was forced to punt as well, ending the third quarter 21-19 with TCU on top by two.
Cal answered with a touchdown to start the fourth quarter. Their eight play series for 80 yards ended with a 12 yard run for Damien Moore for a touchdown, putting Cal on top 21-26.
TCU answered right back with a 45 yard pass from Duggan to Johnsonn. That was Johnson’s second touchdown of the night, putting TCU back up on top 27-26. The Frogs tried for a two-point play and were unsuccessful.
The Horned Frogs got the ball back after forcing Cal to Punt and Duggan ran in the ball for the touchdown. That was Duggan’s 18th career rushing touchdown. The man is quick on his feet. TCU moved their lead to 34-26.
With 5:04 left in the fourth quarter Cal decided to make it a nail biter. Garbers threw two amazing throws totaling 54 yards and the Golden Bears ended the series with a touchdown bringing the game uncomfortably close for TCU, 34-32.
The Golden Bears tried for a two-point conversion and were stopped at the one yard line by the TCU defense. Cal missed on three different opportunities during the game for extra points which ultimately cost them the game.
TCU has a bye week next Saturday and will return to Amon G. Carter Stadium Saturday, September 28 to compete against their neighbors in Dallas, the SMU Mustangs. Kickoff has not yet been determined.
Stats :
TCU had 505 yards of total offense (it’s most in a game since totaling 549 in a 2019 win at Texas Tech.)
TCU had 271 total rushing yards.
Key Players :
Zach Evans ran for 190 yards for 19 carries and 1 touchdown.
Max Duggan threw for 234 yards and completed 17 of 31 passes.
Quentin Johnson led with 95 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns.
