FORT WORTH, Texas — Josh Hoover showcased his skills by throwing for 252 yards and a touchdown, while JP Richardson contributed significantly with 149 all-purpose yards and a 38-yard touchdown reception, culminating in a 49-28 victory for TCU against Arizona on Saturday.
The game started with a jarring moment as Noah Fifita, the Wildcats’ quarterback, was picked off by Bud Clark on the very first play. TCU seized the opportunity and scored within five plays through Trent Battle’s 4-yard touchdown run.
The Horned Frogs demonstrated exceptional offensive prowess, scoring touchdowns on five consecutive drives. Impressively, they covered at least 75 yards on three of those drives, executing nine or more plays each time.
As the first half was nearing its end, TCU orchestrated a 75-yard drive in 12 plays, which culminated in Savion Williams’ 20-yard rushing touchdown, giving them a 21-13 advantage. Key moments included Hoover completing five passes, with crucial gains of 24, 19, and 24 yards driving the momentum just before halftime.
The second half witnessed TCU continuing its dominance. After receiving the kickoff, they drove 76 yards in just nine plays, expanding their lead to 28-13 with Battle’s 1-yard touchdown run.
Richardson was pivotal again, as he returned a punt 33 yards to set TCU up at the Arizona 34. Shortly after, he caught a quick pass from Hoover and sprinted into the end zone for a 38-yard touchdown, pushing the score to 35-13. Richardson emerged as a highlight for TCU, leading the team with six receptions totaling 107 yards.
In terms of running, TCU had a balanced attack with four backs finding the end zone, including Williams, who rushed for 80 yards and scored twice, while Battle added two rushing touchdowns with a total of 28 yards.
For Arizona (4-7, 2-6), Fifita completed 29 of 44 passes for 284 yards, with two touchdowns and one interception. Tetairoa McMillan was a standout on the receiving end, pulling in nine catches for 115 yards.
A notable moment came late in the fourth quarter when Arizona defensive lineman Sterling Lane II picked up a fumble from TCU backup quarterback Ken Seals and dashed 70 yards for a touchdown, rounding off the day’s scoring.
Clark’s interception earlier in the game adds to his impressive tally, leading the Horned Frogs with three picks this season, which ties him for fifth place in the Big 12 conference.
Looking at the overall picture, the Wildcats’ hopes for bowl eligibility vanished this season under first-year head coach Brent Brennan, having started the season ranked in the AP Top 25. In contrast, TCU is on the upswing, having secured bowl eligibility two weeks prior and winning their third straight at home after a tough stretch against UCF and Houston. They have triumphed in four of their last five games, with a narrow 37-34 loss to Baylor being the only setback.
Next up, TCU will be on the road at Cincinnati on Saturday, while Arizona is set to host Arizona State on the same day.