Rapid Recap: TCU 16, Baylor 9

King of the Ghetto what they call me, ‘cause I rule this b—-h (rule this b—-h)/I’m ‘bout business, I don’t participate in foolishness (foolishness)

— Z-Ro, “The Mule” (2005)

TCU beat Baylor 16-9 at McLane Stadium Saturday, the fourth straight time the Frogs have won the Revivalry, or whatever dumb name you want to call this game. I call it “TCU-Baylor,” or “The Saturday I Dread The Most,” depending on the year.

With the win, TCU is now 5-6 (3-5 Big 12) and still has a chance at bowl eligibility if they can beat Oklahoma State next week.

It was Jalen Reagor and the TCU defense that mainly keyed the win, but we’ll get to them in a minute. First, we have to acknowledge the efforts of Grayson “The Mule” Muehlstein, the senior backup quarterback that came in relief of an injured Michael Collins in the first quarter. He was third on the depth chart to start the season, but when his name was called, Muehlstein delivered. He went 11-15 for 137 yards and one touchdown, and even added 10 yards on the ground on seven carries. It was a game-manager type performance, but he should earn Manager of the Year for it.

And now it’s time to address Reagor, the hero of the day, who tied Josh Doctson with a school-record six straight games with receiving touchdowns. The sophomore had a twisting, sprinting 65-yard touchdown on a screen pass in the second quarter that gave the Frogs a 9-6 lead. Take a look, and make sure you’re sitting down when you watch it.

Reagor would score again in the second half, on a fourth-and-one reverse from the Wild Frog formation that proved to be the game winner.

Those were the only two touchdowns for TCU in the game. Jonathan Song hit a field goal in the first quarter to give the Frogs an early 3-0 lead. Both teams blocked an extra point in this game, and Baylor added a blocked punt.

The TCU defense was outstanding, forcing three turnovers from the Bears, including two fumbles, one on the second play of the game and another when Baylor was driving in the red zone. The Frogs also pressured highly-touted Baylor quarterback Charlie Brewer all game, and while Brewer was able to escape on occasion for long scrambles, TCU also hit him hard in the pocket and came up with key sacks. Brewer finished with his lowest passing output in any full game he’s played this season.

Like many TCU games this year, this was ugly and un-Big-12-like, but this time, the Frogs played it perfectly. They didn’t turn it over once, bled clock when they had the lead, and executed in crunch time situations. Even when Baylor converted fourth and seven with 1:30 left to keep a potentially game-tying drive alive, and when the Frogs were flagged for pass interference on the next play, the TCU defense didn’t panic. They stood tall and came away with a win.

They went about their business; they didn’t participate in foolishness. And they did not lose to Baylor. That’s all you can ask for.