TCU
5-1 , 4-0
Wyoming
4-2 , 2-1
TCU football defeats Wyoming to remain unbeaten in MWC play
10/8/2005 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 8, 2005
Recap | Final Stats | Audio Highlights
The TCU defense forced seven turnovers, including four in the first half, as the Horned Frogs solidified their place atop the Mountain West Conference standings with a 28-14 victory over Wyoming before a crowd of 27,723 this afternoon at War Memorial Stadium in Laramie, Wyo.
It took the Horned Frogs (5-1, 4-0) just 3:34 to take a lead they would not relinquish. TCU scored 16 points in the final 1:42 of the first half to build a 28-7 halftime lead.
TCU has opened a season with a record of 5-1 or better for the fourth time in the last six campaigns. Wyoming falls to 4-2 overall and 2-1 in the MWC.
Strong safety Brian Bonner's interception on Wyoming's opening series gave the Frogs possession at the Cowboy 19. Five plays later, Robert Merrill scored on a 1-yard run up the middle to give TCU a 6-0 lead. The extra-point attempt was missed.
A 32-yard Chris Manfredini field goal with 1:53 left in the opening quarter extended the Frogs' lead to 9-0. It capped a 10-play, 19-yard drive that consumed 4:58.
On the Cowboys' ensuing series, Quincy Butler intercepted a Corey Bramlett pass to give TCU the ball at the Wyoming 32. It set up Manfredini's second field goal of the game, a 34-yard boot, to extend the TCU advantage to 12-0 with 13:40 left in the first half.
One play after a Wyoming interception of a Jeff Ballard pass, the Cowboys closed within 12-7 with 6:18 to play in the second quarter when Bramlett connected with Jovon Bouknight on a 31-yard touchdown toss. It was the first pick Ballard has thrown in 50 career attempts.
A Cory Rodgers' 32-yard punt return gave TCU possession at the Wyoming 36. Four plays later, Aaron Brown took a shovel pass from Ballard and raced 13 yards into the end zone with 1:42 left in the first half to give TCU an 18-7 lead.
TCU extended its lead just 39 seconds later. Two plays into Wyoming's next possession, Chase Ortiz forced a Bramlett fumble with Henson scooping up the loose ball and racing 22 yards into the end zone to give the Frogs a 25-7 lead with 1:03 to play before the intermission.
A 52-yard Peter LoCoco field goal on the final play of the first half provided TCU a 28-7 advantage.
Wyoming drove 80 yards in eight plays to close within 28-14 on an 11-yard scoring pass from Bramlett to Bouknight with 3:36 left in the third quarter.
A Dorsey Golston interception of a Ballard pass gave Wyoming possession at the TCU 27 with 13:09 to play. Bramlett had a 17-yard completion to Bouknight on a fourth-and-7 to keep the drive alive. On a third-and-goal from the Frog 2, Zarnell Fitch forced a fumble that was recovered by Eric Buchanan to end the Cowboy scoring threat.
Wyoming reached the TCU 15 on its next possession before committing its sixth turnover of the day as Jamison Newby forced a Bramlett fumble that was recovered by Jared Retkofsky.
The Cowboys made one last push in the final minutes and drove to the TCU 41-yard line. Bramlett threw a pass down the left sideline that was picked off by Marvin White, marking his second interception of the season.
TCU returns home next Saturday to host Army at 6 p.m. in the Frogs' Homecoming game at Amon Carter Stadium.
Team Stats
TC 6, WY 0
TC - MERRILL, Robert 1 yd run (MANFREDINI, Chr kickfailed), 5 plays, 19 yards, TOP 2:05
TC 9, WY 0
TC - MANFREDINI, Chr 32 yd field goal 10 plays, 19 yards, TOP 4:58
TC 12, WY 0
TC - MANFREDINI, Chr 34 yd field goal 6 plays, 15 yards, TOP 2:02
TC 12, WY 7
WY - BOUKNIGHT,Jovon 31 yd pass from BRAMLET, Corey (YAUSSI, Deric kick) 1 plays, 31 yards, TOP 0:07
TC 19, WY 7
TC - BROWN, Aaron 13 yd pass from BALLARD, Jeff (MANFREDINI, Chr kick) 4 plays, 36 yards, TOP 1:26
TC 25, WY 7
TC - HENSON, Robert 22 yd fumble recovery (MANFREDINI, Chr kickfailed)
TC 28, WY 7
TC - LOCOCO, Peter 52 yd field goal 3 plays, 17 yards, TOP 0:17
TC 28, WY 14
WY - BOUKNIGHT,Jovon 11 yd pass from BRAMLET, Corey (YAUSSI, Deric kick) 8 plays, 80 yards, TOP 2:47
