TCU football upsets ranked Houston on the road

By Cal Phillips, Staff Writer

Published Nov 23, 2025

TCU wide receiver Jordan Dwyer goes up to catch a ball at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas Nov. 8, 2025. The Horned Frogs lost to the Iowa State Cyclones 20-17 (Logan Pope/TCU360).

The Frogs get their first ranked win since 2022 after they defeated the 23rd-ranked Houston Cougars on the road, 17-14.

Despite many turnovers, TCU found a way to victory.

TCU started hot in the first quarter, scoring on the first drive of the game to go up 7-0 after wide receiver Eric McAlister caught a 33-yard pass from quarterback Josh Hoover.

The Frogs’ defense then had two solid possessions, only allowing one first down and 21 yards the entire quarter. Wide receiver Jordan Dwyer then caught a 17-yard pass from Hoover to make the game 14-0.

Go up and get it Jordan!#GoFrogs 🐸 #AllHail pic.twitter.com/iPibFC7E7Y

— TCU Football (@TCUFootball) November 22, 2025

The TCU offense then got a little shaky, having three possessions and three turnovers the entire second quarter. Houston scored their first touchdown of the game on a possession where TCU extended their drive twice, giving Houston two first downs from penalties. TCU has allowed the most first down conversions from penalties on third and fourth down in the country.

The Frogs did have a big stop on fourth and goal when safety Julius Simms intercepted the ball for a touchback. This was Simms’ first career interception.

The Frogs then couldn’t find their rhythm in the third quarter as TCU had four drives, with three of them ending in punts and one in an interception. Houston was able to tie up the game at 14-14 after the turnover.

TCU then got the lead back after the Frogs’ defense forced a three-and-out and a punt, which allowed Dwyer to have a 53-yard punt return to set up the Frogs in Houston territory. TCU then had to settle for a field goal, where kicker Nate McCashland made a 29-yard field goal.

Houston got two more attempts on offense but saw two missed field goals in an effort to tie the game. TCU ran out the clock to win the game after the second missed field goal, winning 17-14.

Hoover threw for 293 yards and two touchdowns in the win, and Jeremy Payne rushed for 103 yards. Linebacker Kaleb Elarms-Orr led the team in tackles with 15 total tackles.

TCU achieved its first-ranked win since 2022 when the Frogs defeated second-ranked Michigan in the College Football Playoff.

The Frogs are now 7-4 on the year and 4-4 in the Big-12.

TCU will now face the Cincinnati Bearcats at home on Nov. 29 in their regular-season finale and final home game of the season.