Despite a 21-point lead at the half, TCU football fell short by one point against the UCF Knights, 35-34. The Frogs’ defensive unit collapsed and could not stop RJ Harvey’s 180-rushing yard night.
TCU started strong with two touchdowns on the board in the first quarter caught by wide receivers Eric Mcalister and Savion Williams.
To begin the second quarter, UCF quarterback KJ Jefferson put the Knights on the board early with a 29 yard pass to Harvey. Williams answered with a 16 yard pass from quarterback Josh Hoover.
Within the first two minutes of the second half, Hoover completed a 50-yard touchdown to wide receiver Jack Bech. Shortly after, the Knights return the favor although missing another extra point.
The Frog’s defensive line struggled to keep Harvey from rushing in for a 27-yard touchdown. TCU’s defense failed to stop a successful two-point conversion to bring UCF within four, 31-28.
Linebacker Johnny Hodges said, “Once the momentum swings like that it’s hard to get that back”.
Within the last minute of play, the Knight’s receiver Kobe Hudson received a 20-yard pass from Jefferson to tie up the game. With UCF up by one, TCU had 36 seconds to answer.
A failed 58-yard field goal attempt from kicker Kyle Lemmerman gave the Frogs their first loss of the season.
Head coach Sonny Dykes said, “We didn’t finish the game out and I’m disappointed.” Dykes said the team needs to establish a run game.
“I don’t think time was the issue,” Dykes said regarding the last minute of play. “This doesn’t define who we are and who we are going to be.”
Hoover mentioned how he gave encouraging words to the team in the locker room and his confidence is not shaken.
Looking to bounce back from the heartbreaker, the Frogs head to Dallas, Texas to play the SMU Mustangs on Saturday, Sept. 21, at 4 p.m. CDT. The game will be streamed on the CW network.