MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – TCU overcame a late push from West Virginia to secure a 23-17 victory Saturday night in Morgantown, extending thier winning record to 6-2 overall and 3-2 in Big 12 Conference play. Teh Mountaineers fall to 2-6 on the season and remain winless in conference action at 0-5.
The Horned Frogs controlled much of the game, building a 20-7 halftime lead, but West Virginia freshman quarterback Scotty Fox kept the game within reach with a strong performance, throwing for 301 yards and two touchdowns. the win marks TCUS continued success in the Big 12, while West virginia faces increasing pressure to turn their season around.
TCU quarterback Josh Hoover finished with 247 passing yards and one touchdown, connecting with Eric McAlister nine times for 124 yards and a score. Trent Battle added 89 rushing yards and a touchdown for the Horned Frogs. Nate McCashland contributed three field goals, including a 35-yarder early in the first quarter to open the scoring.
West Virginia’s offense was sparked by Fox, who completed 28 of 41 passes. He found Grayson Barnes for a 17-yard touchdown in the second quarter and Jeff Weimer for a 28-yard score with 3:15 remaining, bringing the Mountaineers within six points.
However, TCU quickly regained control as Battle recovered the ensuing onside kick. Hoover then connected with McAlister for a 21-yard gain, effectively sealing the victory. TCU then ran out the clock with three consecutive kneel-downs.
The Horned Frogs initially took a 10-0 lead in the first quarter with McCashland’s field goal and a 1-yard touchdown run by Battle, set up by a short punt from West Virginia’s Oliver Straw. West Virginia responded with Fox’s touchdown pass to Barnes,capitalizing on a punt return that gave them favorable field position.
TCU answered with another scoring drive, culminating in a 4-yard touchdown pass from hoover to McAlister. McCashland added a 22-yard field goal just before halftime to extend the lead to 20-7.
West Virginia attempted to mount a comeback in the third quarter,with Kade Hensley converting a 28-yard field goal to make it 20-10. But TCU’s defense held strong, and the Mountaineers were unable to overcome the early deficit.
