TCU and Texas Tech are never in shortage of big-time performances and big-time plays every time they match up.
Some of Texas’s greatest college players have come out of both programs, recording some of their best moments and performances in Lubbock and Fort Worth.
Even just last year, quarterback Max Duggan showed the nation just how fast he was with an 81-yard touchdown run to ice a 34-18 win over the Red Raiders in Fort Worth.
Unlike other TCU rivalries, the overall record is a tight-knit race, with Tech leading 32-28-3. The close record of the rivalry has to spectacular moments and plays from both programs over the years.
From thrilling triple-overtime games to unlikely catches, there is never a dull moment between the Horned Frogs and the Red Raiders.
A triple overtime welcome to the Big 12: 2012
TCU joining the Big 12 was a big deal in 2012, as TCU would be able to face old rivals much more and play in a Power 5 conference. The 2012 game between TCU and Tech was the first time they had faced one another in over six years, and both ranked teams looked to put on a show.
Led by head coach Mike Leach, Texas Tech’s air raid offense was perfectly suited for high-scoring games and crazy quarterback stat lines. Tech quarterback Seth Doege threw for a whopping seven touchdowns against the Frogs and made it very difficult for TCU to keep up. Despite the massive offense production by Tech, TCU was able to hold their own and keep the game close until the 4th quarter. Tech scored 15 unanswered points in the last 10 minutes of the game to take a 36-26 lead. Nevertheless, a late Boykin touchdown and two field goals tied the score at 36, leading to a thrilling, back-and-forth trio of overtimes.
The 47,000 fans packed into Amon G Carter stadium then witnessed not one, but two overtimes where each team’s quarterbacks scored touchdowns to keep the game alive. It wasn’t until the third overtime where the momentum shifted in Tech’s favor. TCU was unable to score a touchdown and had to settle for a field goal. Tech got the ball back and scored on an 8-yard touchdown pass, giving the Red Raiders the victory 56-53. This was the longest matchup in the history of the rivalry.
An all-time blowout: 2014
TCU was playing with a different ferocity in 2014, proving to college football fans that they not only deserved their spot in the Big 12 but they also were able to consistently top in-state rivals within the conference. TCU was ranked No. 10 heading into the matchup at Amon G Carter against unranked Tech and looked to make a statement. The statement they made was a spitting image of Karate Kid dojo Cobra Kai-no mercy.
Despite a close first quarter that saw the Frogs narrowly lead 24-17, The Frogs decided to turn up the heat the and cook the Red Raiders in the air and defensively. TCU quarterback Trevon Boykin showed why he was a Heisman finalist by torching the Raiders defense for 433 passing yards and 7 touchdowns. The Frogs would also grab 4 turnovers from the Raiders and hold them to only 446 total yards compared to their 785 yards.
At one point, TCU scored massive 30-unanswered points to put emphasis on the fact that the game would not be close again. Despite Tech scoring a touchdown in the 3rd quarter, TCU had no intention on letting their foot off the gas. They went on to score an additional 19 points, making the final score a shocking 82-27. This victory was not only the highest amount of points TCU football has scored, but it was the highest amount of points scored against a team in the history of the Big 12.
The immaculate deflection reception: 2015
The beginning of TCU’s Big 12 era was never short of exciting moments and big-time plays, especially when it came to prime-time play. In 2015, TCU was ranked No. 3 before their game with Tech and was looking to make a statement against their in-state rival. Two of college football’s best quarterbacks were suited up to play that day-TCU’s Trevon Boykin and Tech’s Patrick Mahomes. The game was an absolute shootout that showcased both quarterbacks’ spectacular talents. Boykin threw for nearly 500 yards and 4 touchdowns in Lubbock, while Mahomes did not fall far behind with 392 yards and 2 touchdowns. It was a constant battle on offense, with both teams combining for over 1,300 yards total.
With both offenses firing on all cylinders, the score towards the end of the 4th quarter was 52-48 in favor of Tech. TCU got the ball and had one opportunity to score to win the game. What happened next was unlike anything Frog fans had seen in recent history.
TCU marched down the field until they got to the Texas Tech 4-yard line. With 33 seconds left on the clock, TCU wanted to go with their bread and butter play of the season-a Boykin to Doctson touchdown pass. Boykin dropped back and threw a high pass that deflected off of Doctson’s hand. The ball wobbled in the air for what felt like an eternity and finally dropped down into running back Aaron Green’s hands for a touchdown with 23 seconds left. TCU would go on to win that game 55-52, and the sequence would go down as one of the craziest plays in TCU football history.
What’s to come
TCU is currently on a two-game win streak against the Raiders, slowly crawling up to try and take the overall lead against Tech. The state rivals have fought hard against one another and always put on a show. Whether TCU continues the streak or the Red Raiders add another win to their record will be seen this Saturday, Oct. 9, in Lubbock at 6 p.m.
