TCU Football at Houston: Halftime Report
The TCU Horned Frogs and the Houston Cougars are meeting for the first time as Big 12 opponents.
The score at the half is TCU 20 - Houston 13.
First Half Highlights:
The Frogs got the ball to start the half. Tight end Jared Wiley caught a 10-yard pass on the game's first play. Two plays later, Emani Bailey ran for 14 yards. Both set up a 33-yard pass from Chandler Morris to Warren Thompson to put the Frogs on the board with less than two minutes.
Houston's opening drive included a 53-yard pass from Donovan Smith to Samuel Brown. Johnny Hodges and Jamoi Hodge teamed up to sack Smith for 10 yards, which forced Houston to kick a field goal.
Morris fumbled the ball on the first play of the next possession, giving the ball back to Houston. TCU's defense was able to hold when Houston went for it on 4th and one. Houston's kicker, Jack Martin, missed a 48-yard field goal on the Cougars' next possession.
On the Frogs' next possession, TCU had it 4th and three from the 15. Instead of kicking the field goal, TCU went for it. Wiley was clearly held, but the refs missed it. Morris intercepted, and Houston returned it for 35 yards. Houston would drive to the 5-yard line. Once again, the Frogs' defense held on a 4th and one.
TCU took over and drove down the field, taking a lot of time off the clock. Griffin Kell would kick a 40-yard field goal to put the Frogs up 10-7 with 7:13 remaining in the half. Bud Clark would intercept Smith, giving TCU the ball near midfield. Kell would come in again and kick a 53-yard field goal, making the score 13-3.
On the kickoff, the TCU special teams crew could not wrap up Matthew Golden on the return, who ran the kickoff all the way back. The score was then 13-10. TCU would go 75 yards on their next possession, capped off by a 16-yard touchdown run by Bailey. TCU 20-Houston 10 with 2:58 remaining.
Martin would make his next field goal, a 44-yarder with 0:56 left in the half. TCU 20 - Houston 13.
On the last play of the half, Kell would attempt a 60-yard field goal that fell short. Houston would try to return it but was eventually able to be stopped.
TCU quarterback Chandler Morris warming up before the game against Houston.
Key Players of the First Half:
Chandler Morris - 15/23 for 203 yards with one touchdown and one interception.
Donovan Smith - 9/19 for 146 yards with no touchdowns and one interception.
Emani Bailey - 9 carries for 65 yards and one touchdown; 7.2 average yards per carry.
Warren Thompson - Caught a 33-yard pass from Morris to put the Frogs on the board first.
Johnny Hodges - Along with Jamoi Hodge, sacked Smith for 10 yards on Houston's opening drive to force a field goal.
Trey Sanders - 5 carries for 25 yards; 5.0 average yards per carry.
Bud Clark - Intercepted Smith at midfield to give the Frogs the ball back late in the 2nd quarter.
Halftime Stats:
| Scoring Summary | 1st Quarter | 2nd Quarter | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
TCU | 7 | 13 | 20 |
Houston | 3 | 10 | 13 |
| Team Stats | TCU | Houston |
|---|---|---|
First Downs | 19 | 8 |
Third Down Efficiency | 1/6 | 2/7 |
Fourth Down Efficiency | 1/2 | 0/2 |
Total Yards | 332 | 164 |
Passing Yards | 203 | 146 |
Total Yards | 129 | 18 |
Turnovers | 2 | 1 |
Times Sacked | 3 | 2 |
Penalties | 4/45 | 3/25 |
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