In what seemed like a closely contested matchup on paper, TCU emerged victorious over Utah with a 13-7 win, thanks to a commanding defensive performance and a gritty effort from Josh Hoover. The Horned Frogs QB who threw for 263 yards and rushed for a touchdown, led his team as they battled against a tough Utah defense. Despite TCU’s offensive struggles, especially in the second half, their defense stood tall, making key stops to secure the win.
However, TCU’s defense was the story of the night, keeping Utah off the scoreboard in the first half and limiting them to just 86 total yards of offense. This dominant performance frustrated the home crowd at Rice-Eccles Stadium, leading to boos as the Utes headed to the locker room at halftime. Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham acknowledged the frustration, stating, “Fans pay their money, they have a right to do whatever they want… the last few games have not been anything to be excited about.”
Hoover’s lone touchdown came in the second quarter on a sneak following two precise passes to Eric McAlister and Drake Dabney. Despite his solid passing yardage, TCU’s offense faltered in the red zone, with a lost fumble and blocked field goal preventing them from capitalizing on scoring opportunities. Kyle Lemmerman added two field goals for TCU, including one in the third quarter that gave them a 13-0 lead…