TCU quarterback Casey Pachall threw for 152 yards and two touchdowns and the Frog defense made two critical red zone stops as TCU got out to a 17-0 lead over San Diego State in the first half Saturday night.

TCU held onto a 3-0 lead midway through the first quarter when SDSU quarterback Ryan Lindley and the Aztec offense drove deep into Frog territory.

The TCU defense stopped SDSU on third down but the Aztecs would have a shot at a 31-yard field goal to tie the game.

But the Frogs wouldn’t be fooled by the Aztecs’ trickery. 

SDSU tried to fake the field goal but holder Bria Stahovich’s pass was tipped by several TCU defenders and fell incomplete, giving the Frogs the ball at their own nine-yard line.

That’s where Pachall and the offense went to work.

Pachall completed four of his next five passes, leading the Frogs down the field and capping off the drive with a 39-yard touchdown pass to Hicks. The 91-yard drive was TCU’s longest of the season.

SDSU responded, though, getting the ball back and driving down to the TCU three-yard line.

But the Aztecs would be denied again.

This time, TCU safety Tekerrein Cuba forced a Ronnie Hillman fumble. Cornerback Elisha Olabode recovered the loose ball in the endzone for a touchback that gave the Frogs the ball on their own 20-yard line.

After a Pachall interception on TCU’s next drive, the Frog defense delivered again. This time, safety Johnny Fobbs came intercepted a Lindley pass and returned it out to the 50-yard line.

From there, Pachall went back to shredding the Aztec secondary – but needed only one pass to do so.

The sophomore placed a perfectly thrown ball into the hands of receiver Josh Boyce for a 31-yard touchdown to put the Frogs up 17-0. It was Pachall’s second third down touchdown toss of the night.

Ed Wesley led the Frogs in rushing, racking up 78 yards on 12 carries in the half.