FORT WORTH, Texas — TCU opened Big 12 Conference play at Amon G. Carter Stadium with a 35-34 loss to UCF.
The Horned Frogs’ offense started strong in the first quarter, with a 14-yard touchdown pass from Josh Hoover to Eric McAlister, followed by an 18-yard reception from Hoover to Savion Williams, giving TCU a 14-0 lead.Defensively, TCU had a strong showing early, highlighted by a key moment when they blocked a UCF field goal attempt.
UCF responded in the second quarter with a 29-yard touchdown pass from KJ Jefferson to RJ Harvey, but TCU blocked another field goal attempt to keep UCF from scoring more in the quarter. With 10:10 left in the half, Hoover connected with Williams again on a 16-yard touchdown pass, marking Williams’ second touchdown of the game and closing out the half’s scoring drives.
In the second half, TCU’s defense allowed UCF to rally. Jefferson exposed TCU’s secondary with a 27-yard touchdown pass to Kobe Hudson midway through the third quarter, narrowing the score to 31-20.
The game’s turning point came with 36 seconds left when Jefferson hit Hudson again for a 20-yard touchdown, putting UCF ahead 35-34. TCU managed to get into field goal range, but Kyle Lemmermann missed a 58-yard attempt that would have won the game.
“We expect many of our games to come down to one score,” TCU head coach Sonny Dykes said. “To win one-score games, you have to be disciplined, and tonight we were undisciplined. We have to get better and coach better moving forward.”
TCU will travel to in-state rival SMU next Saturday for the Battle for the Iron Skillet. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. CT.
