Horned Frogs Come Up Short

Saturday, September 25

Fort Worth, Texas

11 a.m.

TCU

2-1 , 0-0

SMU

4-0 , 0-0

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

SMU

TCU

Horned Frogs Come Up Short

9/25/2021 3:40:00 PM | Football

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Evans tops 100 yards rushing for the fourth time in five games

FORT WORTH - The TCU football team dropped a 42-34 decision to SMU on Saturday at Amon G. Carter Stadium.

The Horned Frogs and Mustangs, meeting for the 100th time in their history, combined for 28 points in the opening 7:46 of the game.

After falling behind 6-0, TCU took a 7-6 lead on its opening possession when Kendre Miller broke free for a 20-yard touchdown on a 3rd-and-1 carry up the middle, capping a 6-play, 54-yard drive. J.D. Spielman set up the scoring series with a 41-yard kickoff return.

A career long 60-yard reception from Taye Barber led to Max Duggan's 13-yard scoring toss to Derius Davis to even the game at 14-14 with 7:14 left in the first quarter. Barber had his second career 100-yard receiving game with 114 yards on five catches, including a 21-yard touchdown to pull the Horned Frogs within 42-34 with 4:05 to play. However, the Mustangs were then able to run out the clock.

TCU went into the locker room at the half tied 21-21, as Deshawn McCuin picked off a pass in the end zone on the final play when SMU went for it on 4th-and-goal from the 3. However, a turnover on TCU's opening possession of the second half led to a short field for the Mustangs and they converted to take the lead for good at 28-21.

Trailing 35-24, TCU recorded its third interception of the game as Wyatt Harris picked off a pass and returned it 47 yards to the SMU 16. It set up a 30-yard Griffin Kell field goal, his second make of the game, to trim the Horned Frogs' deficit to 35-27 with 22 seconds left in the third quarter.

Zach Evans led TCU with 113 yards rushing on 15 carries, the fourth time in the last five games he's topped 100 yards. He added three receptions for 70 yards, including a 46-yard touchdown for his first career receiving score. It gave the Horned Frogs a 21-14 advantage with 13:31 left in the first half, TCU's only lead of the game.

For the second straight contest, Duggan equaled a career-high with three touchdown passes. He completed 16-of-28 attempts for 276 yards.

Up Next
TCU closes its season opening four-game homestand next Saturday, Oct. 2, when it hosts Texas at 11 a.m. on ABC.