TCU Football: Tori's Thoughts - TCU Is The Purple Thorn in Texas' Side
Since joining the Big 12 Conference in 2012, TCU has controlled the series against Texas, posting an 8-3 record.
The Horned Frogs won last season's defensive grudge match in Austin, 17-10, under the guidance of first-year head coach Sonny Dykes. TCU's defense held future first-round NFL pick running back Bijan Robinson to 29 yards on 12 carries. The Horned Frogs were fired up, knowing the Big 12 Championship and College Football Playoff hopes were on the line.
This year, TCU (4-5 overall, 2-4 Big 12) is in a very different situation since a win is needed just to keep bowl game hopes alive. Texas (8-1, 5-1) is on track to make the Big 12 title game and potentially the College Football Playoffs. This is also the final time these two teams will meet before the Longhorns leave for the SEC next season.
Looking back at some of TCU's wins over Texas the past few years, records and rankings have not always mattered. It seems like the Horned Frogs find a little extra motivation when they play the Longhorns. Perhaps that historic trend means TCU has a chance to spoil things for Texas on Saturday.
Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian and the Longhorns participate in postgame traditions following a game.
2012: TCU 20, #18 Texas 13
Overall Record: 7-6, 4-5 Big 12
The first time TCU and head coach Gary Patterson met Texas as a Big 12 foes came on Thanksgiving night. TCU had not played a Thanksgiving game since 1928 while Texas was very familiar with that stage. Texas had played more than 80 times on Turkey Day, including 63 times with Texas A&M with the most recent streak from 2008-2011.
TCU turned the holiday matchup into a defensive showcase. The Horned Frogs' defense feasted on turnovers, held No. 18 Texas under 100 rushing yards, and recorded three sacks. The Longhorns started switching quarterbacks during the second quarter. Quarterback David Ash committed three turnovers – two interceptions and a fumble – while Case McCoy tossed one interception. TCU safety Sam Carter snagged the final turnover with about 90 seconds left to seal the win.
On offense, running back Matthew Tucker scored two touchdowns, and freshman quarterback Trevone Boykin racked up a team-high 77 rushing yards. Boykin threw just nine passes because the running game was highly effective.
The loss dashed any final hopes Texas had at the Big 12 title or a BCS bowl bid. Head coach Mack Brown's second-to-last season in Austin ended with an Alamo Bowl win over Oregon State. TCU finished the season in a four-way tie for fifth in the Big 12 standings and lost to Michigan State in the Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl.
2014: TCU 48, Texas 10
Overall Record: 12-1, 8-1
Another Thanksgiving Day game pitted TCU and Texas against each other inside Darrell K Royal Stadium. This time, the Horned Frogs wanted to impress the College Football Playoff committee. The committee had ranked TCU No. 5 in the most recent playoff rankings, one spot shy of a playoff bid. Texas had qualified for a bowl game the week before and boasted one of the Big 12's best defenses.
TCU's offense started a little sluggish, with just six points in the first quarter, but the defense picked up the slack. Defensive end Terrell Lathan took a fumble 40 yards for a touchdown and a 13-0 lead. That was the first of six turnovers committed by the Longhorns, including quarterback Tyrone Swoopes' four interceptions. Linebacker Josh Carraway turned one of those picks into a 33-yard touchdown. TCU sacked Swoopes four times and held Texas under 100 yards rushing again.
The offense caught fire right before halftime as Boykin found wide receiver David Porter for a four-yard score. Boykin completed 20-of-34 passes for 233 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception. Running back Aaron Green had 73 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries.
TCU did sneak into the top four of the playoff rankings following the victory and ended the regular season as co-Big 12 champions. That playoff spot did not hold as the committee ultimately dropped the Horned Frogs to No. 6 in the final rankings. TCU responded with a 42-3 drubbing of no. 9 Ole Miss in the Peach Bowl.
The Longhorns lost to Arkansas in the Texas Bowl and finished 6-7 in Charlie Strong's first year as head coach.
2019: TCU 37, #15 Texas 27
Overall Record: 5-7, 3-6
TCU had three wins heading into the Week 8 tilt against No. 15 Texas. The Longhorns came to Fort Worth with a 3-1 conference record, having lost in the Red River Rivalry two weeks prior.
The Horned Frogs took a 10-3 second quarter lead before the Longhorns put together a pair of touchdown drives. Shortly before halftime, TCU kicker Griffin Kell nailed a then career-long 52-yard field goal. That gave the Horned Frogs a little momentum as they outscored the Longhorns 24-10 in the second half.
First-year TCU quarterback Max Duggan threw for a career-high 273 yards and two touchdowns. He also ran for a team-high 72 yards and a score. Wide receiver Taye Barber nearly broke the 100-yard receiving mark.
TCU's defense continued its annual tradition of pestering Texas quarterbacks, forcing Sam Ehlinger to throw four interceptions. The Horned Frogs converted safety Ar'Darius Washington's third-quarter interception turned into a touchdown on the next play. Duggan found wide receiver Jalen Reagor for a 44-yard score. TCU took a 27-20 lead and never looked back.
Texas and third-year head coach Tom Herman ended the season with a win over no. 11 Utah in the Alamo Bowl while TCU dropped four of its next five games.
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