TCU
9-1 , 7-0
Colorado State
5-4 , 4-2
TCU clinches outright MWC championship
11/5/2005 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 5, 2005
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FORT WORTH, Texas - Robert Merrill rushed for 94 yards while Cory Rodgers caught a touchdown pass and also ran for a score as No. 20 TCU captured the Mountain West Conference championship in its first season of league play with a 33-6 victory over Colorado State tonight at Amon Carter Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas.
It's the Horned Frogs' first outright conference title since winning the Southwest Conference in 1958. Since that time, TCU had shared in five league championships (Southwest Conference - 1959, 1994; Western Athletic Conference - 1999, 2000; Conference USA - 2002).
TCU, the nation's leader in interceptions and turnover margin, picked off Colorado State quarterback Justin Holland four times. Holland, who entered the game ranked fourth in the nation in pass efficiency rating (166.08), was intercepted just eight times on the season entering the game.
Frog strong safety Brian Bonner had two interceptions while also combining for a sack in the end zone that resulted in a safety.
TCU (9-1, 7-0) took a 7-0 lead on the game's opening series when it drove 80 yards in nine plays, capped by a Jeff Ballard 3-yard scoring run. Facing a fourth-and-one at the Colorado State 5, Merrill carried two yards for a first down to set up Ballard's score on the next snap.
The Rams (5-4, 4-2) got on the board on their first possession when Jason Smith connected on a 39-yard field goal to make it a 7-3 game.
TCU answered with a 10-play, 83-yard drive to take a 14-3 lead on a 10-yard Aaron Brown rush with 5:33 to play in the first quarter.
A muffed punt by TCU gave Colorado State possession at the Frog 21 with 14:14 to play in the second quarter. Seven plays later, Smith was good on a 22-yard field goal to trim the Ram deficit to 14-6. On third-and-goal from the 5, TCU cornerback Quincy Butler broke up an end zone pass from Holland to Luke Roberts.
TCU drove 75 yards on 10 plays with its ensuing series to take a 21-6 lead with 7:25 remaining in the first half on an 18-yard touchdown pass from Ballard to Rodgers.
The Frogs extended their advantage to 24-6 at the half on a Chris Manfredini 26-yard field goal with 31 seconds left in the second quarter.
TCU totaled 20 first downs in the first half while outgaining Colorado State 302-to-87 in total offense. For the game, the Frogs held a 401-to-253 margin.
TCU totaled five sacks on the night.
The Frogs extended their lead to 26-6 when Bonner and Chase Ortiz combined on a sack of Holland in the end zone for a safety with 10:48 left in the third quarter.
Following Rodgers' 30-yard run on the ensuing free kick, TCU drove 38 plays in five plays to extend its lead. A 6-yard run by Rodgers with 8:47 left in the third quarter put the Frogs on top 33-6.
The Frogs close the regular season next Saturday when they host UNLV at 6 p.m. TCU graduate and San Diego Charger star LaDainian Tomlinson will be in attendance as he'll be honored as part of "LT Day." The Chargers have a bye next weekend
Team Stats
CS 0, TC 7
TC - BALLARD, Jeff 3 yd run (MANFREDINI, Chr kick), 9 plays, 80 yards, TOP 3:36
CS 3, TC 7
CS - SMITH, Jason 39 yd field goal 5 plays, 32 yards, TOP 2:05
CS 3, TC 14
TC - BROWN, Aaron 10 yd run (MANFREDINI, Chr kick), 10 plays, 83 yards, TOP 3:32
CS 6, TC 14
CS - SMITH, Jason 22 yd field goal 7 plays, 16 yards, TOP 2:24
CS 6, TC 21
TC - RODGERS, Cory 18 yd pass from BALLARD, Jeff (MANFREDINI, Chr kick) 10 plays, 75 yards, TOP 4:20
CS 6, TC 24
TC - MANFREDINI, Chr 26 yd field goal 6 plays, 42 yards, TOP 1:08
CS 6, TC 26
TC - TEAM 7 yd safety
CS 6, TC 33
TC - RODGERS, Cory 6 yd run (MANFREDINI, Chr kick), 5 plays, 38 yards, TOP 1:53
