TCU looked to come out strong Saturday and put on an impressive performance against a struggling Iowa State team.
But it all fell apart in the fourth quarter.
In the early portion of the fourth quarter, the Horned Frogs capped off a turnover with a two-yard touchdown, that widened their lead 17-6.
Iowa State fought back with an 11-play, 75-yard drive that ended with a one-yard touchdown run by Carson Hansen.
A disappointing drive by TCU got even worse when a 79-yard punt return touchdown by Aiden Flora changed the momentum of the game.
The Cyclones finally converted on their third two-point conversion attempt of the game and took the lead, 20-17.
TCU’s offense marched down the field into the red zone until a fumble by Jeremy Payne gave Iowa State an opportunity to put the game away.
After TCU’s defense forced a punt, Hoover and his offense had only 27 seconds to generate some late-game heroics.
Ultimately, the costly mental mistakes were too much to combat.
Iowa State entered today’s matchup on a four-game losing streak against Big 12 opponents after starting the season 5-0.
TCU seemed sluggish after its second bye week of the season.
Quarterback Josh Hoover threw an interception on the Frogs’ first drive, leaving the Cyclones with great field position in the earlier portion of the first quarter.
The Cyclones capitalized on the turnover as quarterback Rocco Becht orchestrated a 9-play drive, capped off by a 23-yard touchdown pass to tight end, Benjamin Brahmer.
The Cyclones failed a two-point conversion, leaving the score 6-0.
After a set of three-and-outs by both teams, a promising drive for TCU was halted as Hoover threw another interception to close out the first quarter.
TCU’s offense slowly found its rhythm in the second quarter as it found its way into its own territory, leading to a 35-yard field goal by Nate McCashland after a 13-play drive, making the score 6-3.
In desperate need of an energy booster, Bud Clark made an interception on the fifth play of the drive, giving TCU’s offense yet another opportunity to put points on the board to close the first half.
But as they looked to close out the half on a high note, McCashland missed a 25-yard field goal with 17 seconds remaining that would have evened the score.
The TCU offense looked to avenge the underwhelming end to the first half as they opened the third quarter with a 14-play, 78-yard drive capped off with a 14-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Jordan Dwyer, extending their lead to 10-6.
The loss puts any opportunity of TCU making it to Arlington, Texas, for the Big 12 Championship game in the rearview.
TCU travels to Provo, Utah, next week to take on another Big 12 powerhouse, the #7-ranked BYU Cougars, on Nov. 15th.
