TCU Horned Frogs vs Colorado State Rams Football Recap

TCU 34, Colorado State 10

The TCU Horned Frogs weren’t at their best in week 12 of the college football season, but after taking care of mighty Boise State in week 11, the Purple People didn’t have to max out. They just had to take a downmarket opponent seriously in order to win a third straight conference crown, a shining achievement for one of the best programs outside a BCS league.

TCU turned in an uninspired performance at home, but the Frogs were rugged on defense and filled with the confidence they lacked in September. A more forceful and formidable team still played with increased physicality, and that brawny dimension was still more than enough to take care of Colorado State. The Horned Frogs took down the Rams by a sizeable margin on Saturday afternoon to register one more significant accomplishment in this feel-good era in Fort Worth. A strong run game and a big defensive play helped TCU to a 9-2 record and clinched a share of the Mountain West Conference championship—a “share” only because the MWC awards each team tied atop the standings a trophy. A win in two weeks against UNLV (2-8) makes a conference title official… and outright.

After coasting through the first quarter, TCU began to take control early in the second frame with a convincing drive on the legs of Waymon James and Matthew Tucker. After the two combined for 63 rushing yards on six carries, Antoine Hicks punched in a two-yard run to give TCU a 13-0 lead. Chad VanderMolen kicked a 24-yard field goal as time expired in the first half to bring Colorado State within 10 points.

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After both teams ate up lots of time on unfruitful drives, the Frogs got things going midway through the third quarter to put the game away. Casey Pachall, who threw for only 117 yards in the game, powered a drive going 4-4 for 53 yards so Ed Wesley could put in a one-yard touchdown run. Three plays later, after the Rams moved to TCU’s 32-yard line, Tank Carder intercepted Garrett Grayson and returned it 69 yards for a touchdown, and TCU was up 27-3.

James ran 15 times for 108 yards in the win, and Tucker added 94 rushing yards for the Frogs. Grayson was 14-24 for 248 yards and a touchdown in the loss for the Rams, who were eliminated from bowl consideration with the loss. At 3-7, Colorado State will host Air Force (6-5).

By: Matt Zemek
DFN Sports Senior Staff Writer