Frogs wear down Horns
Solid defense, run game pave the way for Big 12 regular-season championship
AUSTIN — This wasn't the way anyone expected Saturday night's top-ofthe-conference clash between No. 4 TCU and No. 18 Texas to unfold.
Two teams averaging a combined 976 yards and 77 points per game against Big 12 competition could hardly produce first downs, let alone points. Neither defense allowed any easy gains. The most exciting plays early on were the bone-rattling sacks, pinpoint punts and a blocked field goal.
What made the difference, in the end, was TCU's commitment to its game plan. It keep working the running game, hoping – knowing – that eventually, Texas' defense would fatigue and finally break, even if it just happened once or twice. It kept stacking the box on defense, focusing its energy on stopping Texas' star running back Bijan Robinson and forcing redshirt freshman quarterback Quinn Ewers to win the day with his arm.
The strategy worked. TCU (10-0, 7-0) completely stymied the Longhorns (6-4, 4-3) to earn a 17-10 win at Royal-Memorial Stadium and clinch a spot in the Big 12 championship game. Texas wasn't eliminated from contention, but its path to playing for a title in Arlington on Dec. 4 grew more complicated with its third conference loss.
“The defense played plenty good enough for us to win,” Texas coach Steve Sarkisian said. “But we could not get out of our own way (on offense). Clearly, did not see this coming.”
Texas' defense, perhaps with an assist from former TCU coach-turned-Longhorn special assistant Gary Patterson, was all over everything the Horned Frogs tried to do early on.
Nickel back Jahdae Barron (10 tackles, 3½ tackles for loss) was a one-man screen-destroying force, blowing up several quick hitters in the first half. And the defensive line dominated at the point of attack – defensive end Barryn Sorrell crushed TCU quarterback Max Duggan for 1½ sacks, part of a four-sack first half for Texas.
Even after starting four straight drives in Texas territory, TCU couldn't break the scoreless tie. Its best chance, a 34-yard field goal attempt, was partially blocked by junior defensive back Kitan Crawford.
By halftime, a 34-yard field goal by TCU kicker Griffen Kell represented the only points of the game.
Robinson entered this game as the Big 12's leading rusher but finished with just 12 carries for 29 yards, his fewest touches and lowest yardage output as a starter.
Meanwhile, Ewers' throws were long or short or too high or too low.
“It's frustrating,” Robinson said. “We just couldn't get the run game going, couldn't find any creases or anything. We just couldn't capitalize on anything.”
Sarkisian's play-calling agenda was puzzling, too.
On Texas' best drive of the day, the Longhorns had fought their way down to the TCU 5. Instead of running, Sarkisian dialed up four straight pass plays. TCU broke up the fourthand-goal pass to Sanders to force a turnover on downs with 9:40 remaining
Ewers finished with just 171 yards on 17 completions with one interception.
“It wasn't all on Quinn,” Sarkisian said. “Everybody took turns tonight. We were just off."
TCU finally bought itself some breathing room about 10 minutes into the third quarter. Running back Kendre Miller (138 rushing yards) burst through an opening on the right side of the offensive line and got a step on Texas' second and third lines of defense, streaking 75 yards down the sideline put TCU up 10-0.
Texas responded with a more methodical drive, though Ewers again struggled in the red zone. After two incomplete passes near the goal line, the Longhorns settled for a 22yard field goal.
But that was all Sarkisian's offense could muster against the Horned Frogs. And on the ensuing drive, a miscommunication in the Texas secondary allowed star wideout Quentin Johnston to trot into the end zone for a 31-yard touchdown with 12:36 remaining.
Texas' only touchdown came courtesy of Barron, who scooped Duggan's fumble and returned it 48 yards with 4:25 remaining.