ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. โ Josh Hoover showcased his skills by throwing four touchdown passes, leading TCU to a decisive 34-3 victory over Louisiana-Lafayette in the New Mexico Bowl on Saturday.
Hoover completed 20 of 32 passes for 252 yards, with one interception. Eric McAlister made a significant contribution by catching eight passes for 87 yards and a touchdown, helping the Horned Frogs improve to a 9-4 record.
The TCU defense was formidable throughout the game, limiting Louisiana-Lafayette to just 209 total yards, which included a mere 61 on their final drive. Coach Sonny Dykes praised the defenseโs performance, mentioning their preparedness and confidence. โThey know what theyโre doing and are starting to gel together,โ he commented, expressing enthusiasm about the teamโs defensive evolution.
On the other side, Louisiana-Lafayetteโs quarterback, Ben Wooldridge, struggled, completing only 7 of 20 passes for 61 yards, along with an interception. Cajunsโ coach Michael Desormeaux recognized TCUโs strong defensive strategy, noting their effective tackling and pursuit.
The Horned Frogs quickly established control of the game, as Hoover connected with DJ Rogers for a 3-yard touchdown to conclude an 11-play, 75-yard opening drive.
Dykes highlighted the teamโs ability to start strong, crediting Hooverโs preparation for their successful outings since the Utah game. Following a missed 54-yard field goal attempt by Lou Groza Award winner Kenneth Almendares, TCU continued to dominate.
McAlisterโs 1-yard touchdown catch capped off a 10-play, 63-yard drive, extending the lead to 14-0 in the first quarter. Kicker Kyle Lemmermann added two field goals, further widening the gap as JP Richardson caught a 20-yard touchdown pass, making it 27-0 by halftime.
In a record-setting season, Hoover accumulated an impressive 3,949 passing yards for TCU, a new school record. โItโs an honor to be mentioned among the great quarterbacks who have played here,โ Hoover remarked, attributing his success to the efforts of his teammates, including the offensive lineโs protection that allowed him to find his targets.
The takeaway for TCU is notable, as they bounced back impressively from a disappointing 5-7 season last year. They managed to score on each of their first four drives against the Raginโ Cajuns.
Conversely, it was a challenging outing for Louisiana-Lafayette, managing only a fourth-quarter field goal from Almendares that accounted for their only points in the game. The Cajuns are now facing difficulties, having recorded back-to-back games without a touchdown after a 31-3 defeat in the Sun Belt championship.
Looking ahead, TCU will kick off their 2025 season on August 30 against North Carolina, marking coach Bill Belichickโs debut with the Tar Heels. Meanwhile, Louisiana-Lafayette will open their season at home against Rice on the same day.