TCU vs Oklahoma State: Frogs take 20-10 lead into the half

Everything was coming up Patterson early in the first half of TCU’s game at Oklahoma State today, as the Frogs put together a dominant opening drive before having to settle for three in the red zone, despite Hill completing his first three passes and going 6-7 on the drive. A quick 3-and-out by the TCU defense against the powerful Cowboys offense gave the Frogs’ a chance to extend their lead, but the Frogs couldn’t get anything going on offense in their second drive, and it appeared they would be stifled. But a great punt by Adam Nunez and a great play by Innis Gaines in downing it - combined with an inexplicable touch by the OSU returner - gave the Frogs the ball back on the Okie State side of the field. Initially, it appeared the Frogs had recovered the ball inside the 5, but a confusing illegal touching penalty moved them back to the 30. The Frogs settled for three once again, giving them a 6-0 lead early.

It doesn’t take much for Mason Rudolph and the Cowboys’ offense to get rolling though, and they would do that on their very next drive. After a four yard Justice Hill run, Rudolph went over the top to James Washington, who hauled in the perfect dime for an 86 yard touchdown.

TCU answered back on the next drive though, leaning on the run game, specifically Darius Anderson, to finally get it into the end zone on seven play, 75 yard drive, finished by Anderson who wove through traffic for a 28 yard score. The Pokes came back, moving the ball down the field with eased, and looked primed to retake the advantage. But...

ENTER BEN BANOGU.

After failing to draw a flag on a close play between Hill and TCU linebacker Travin Howard, Mason Rudolph felt himself under pressure one play later. Banogu was in pursuit, and was able to knock the ball out of the senior QB’s hand as he went for the sack. Freshman defensive tackle Corey Bethley recovered the ball for the Frogs, and Hill took TCU right back down the field to make it a 20-7 game, with John Diarse hauling in the fade route for the Frogs’ second touchdown and first through the air.

Oklahoma State managed a field goal on their next drive, and had a chance to get back within one score after a Kenny Hill interception - one in which he way overthrew John Diarse with a safety closing in - but the TCU defensive came up big once again to force an immediate 3-and-out.

The Frogs got the ball back with just about a minute remaining, and had a chance to get within field goal range. But after Kenny Hill tripped over Lucas Niang trying to roll away from pressure, TCU wisely let the clock run out to preserve the 20-10 lead.

For the Frogs, Hill is 16/25 for 126 yards, one touchdown, and one INT. Darius Anderson leads all rushers with 81 yards, and the Frogs offense, as a unit, has gone for 120 on the ground. Jalen Reagor is your leading receiver with three catches for 25 yards, and has 18 on the ground on an end around as well. Seven players have receptions for the Frogs and five have carries.

Meanwhile, Mason Rudolph is 6/14, albeit with 139 yards and a score under his belt, and Hill has been the surprising workhorse for the Pokes with 14 carries for 54 yards. The Cowboys have six penalties for 54 yards, including a pair of drive extenders, and have turned it over twice to TCU’s one.

We are certainly in for an intense finish in Stillwater, as TCU certainly doesn’t feel finished with just a ten point lead and the Cowboys feel confident they can get back in it.