TCU Football: Tori's Thoughts - Frogs Seeking First Win At Oklahoma in Nearly Two Decades

The Horned Frogs have beaten the Sooners twice in Fort Worth since joining the Big 12.

Since joining the Big 12 in 2012, TCU has just two wins over Oklahoma.

Those victories came at home during the 2014 and 2022 seasons. Prior to that, the Horned Frogs had only beaten the Sooners in Norman.

TCU will get one final opportunity to take down No. 13 Oklahoma in Norman on Friday. Then, the Sooners are off to the SEC.

Savion Williams and the TCU Horned Frogs travel to Norman to take on the Oklahoma Sooners one last time.  :: Brian McLean, On Assignment Photo/KillerFrogs

As this series hits a temporary pause, it felt like a good time to relive a couple of TCU wins, including the 2005 road trip. I also look at a few positives from this season that the Horned Frogs can carry into 2024.

A Statement Win in the Big 12

TCU’s first two years in the Big 12 Conference lacked an attention-grabbing, statement win. The Horned Frogs had posted a 6-12 conference record with four losses coming by three points or less. Everything changed during the 2014 season as TCU beat No. 4 Oklahoma 37-33 in the conference opener and eventually put together one of the most memorable seasons in program history.

Linebacker Paul Dawson turned a 41-yard interception into a touchdown to give TCU a 37-31 lead early in the fourth quarter. Oklahoma blocked the ensuing point after attempt and returned the ball 98 yards for two points. The four-point advantage held, though, as the Horned Frogs stopped the Sooners on a fourth-and-1 with under 3 minutes left.

TCU took an early 14-0 lead on a fumble recovery in the end zone by tight end Cliff Murphy and running back B.J. Catalon’s 7-yard run. Catalon scored again on a 39-yard pass in the second quarter to regain a 21-14 lead. Placekicker Jaden Oberkrom nailed a 31-yard field goal while wide receiver Deante Gray scored on a 29-yard catch to round out TCU’s scoring.

Catalon racked up 48 yards on 11 carries. Quarterback Trevone Boykin ran for a team-high 77 yards and completed 20-of-38 passes for 318 yards, two touchdowns and an interception.

Oklahoma running back Samaje Perine scored three touchdowns and rushed for 87 yards on 25 carries. Quarterback Trevor Knight threw for 309 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions. Knight was also sacked two times.

The Horned Frogs ended the season as co-Big 12 Champions and missed out on the inaugural College Football Playoffs. A 42-3 drubbing of No. 9 Ole Miss in the Peach Bowl capped off the season. Oklahoma finished 8-5 overall (5-4 Big 12) and lost 40-6 to Clemson in the Russell Athletic Bowl.

A Takedown in Norman

The Mountain West Conference’s newest member shocked the college football world during the 2005 season opener. TCU left Norman with a 17-10 win over No. 5 Oklahoma. A then-record crowd of 84,332 and a national television audience watched the Horned Frogs hand the Sooners their first home-opening loss since 1996. That loss also came against TCU.

Tailback Robert Merrill provided the winning score from two yards out with 11:56 left in the game. Prior to that drive, the Horned Frogs had not scored since midway through the second quarter. A 10-0 halftime lead disappeared at the end of the third quarter when Oklahoma made a 21-yard field goal.

TCU Defensive end Jamison Newby helped set up that game-winning drive. He sacked Oklahoma quarterback Rhett Bomar and jarred the ball loose. Linebacker David Hawthorne recovered the fumble at the 17-yard line.

The defense put pressure on Oklahoma’s quarterbacks all game, recording three sacks, and stuffed the Sooners’ rushing attack, which was led by Heisman Trophy candidate Adrian Peterson. Peterson tallied just 63 yards on 22 carries.

The Horned Frogs struggled running the ball, too. Merrill and Donald Massey each had a team-high 32 rushing yards. Quarterback Tye Gunn threw for 226 yards, a touchdown, and an interception on 24-of-45 passing.

TCU ended the season with an 11-1 record, a conference title, and win over Iowa State in the Houston Bowl. Oklahoma finished 7-4 and beat No. 6 Oregon in the Holiday Bowl.

Positives moving forward

The 2023 season has not gone as planned, but TCU has plenty of positives to build on next season, particularly on offense.

Quarterbacks Chandler Morris and Josh Hoover have combined for 3,394 yards, 23 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions on 64% completion. If those numbers were put up by a single quarterback, that individual would rank first in yardage, be tied for second in touchdowns, and tied for third in completion percentage among Big 12 conference quarterbacks. Considering Morris and Hoover were learning a new playbook and going through first-year starter growing pains, those numbers are very respectable.

Running back Emani Bailey broke the 1,000-yard rushing mark and will no doubt be poised for another strong season in 2024.

Both quarterbacks spread the ball around well, as 12 Horned Frogs caught at least 10 passes. Wide receivers Savion Williams and JP Richardson and tight end Jared Wiley each caught more than 30 passes. Williams and Richardson will likely return next season. Give either quarterback (Morris or Hoover) another offseason to build rapport with Williams, Richardson, and the rest of the receiving corps, this offense has an opportunity to really take off.

On defense, the Horned Frogs lose several key pieces from the Big 12’s No. 5 scoring defense. The team’s leading tackler linebacker Nambdi Obiazor should return, and the defensive line will have a year of experience under their belt. Hopefully, linebacker Johnny Hodges, a Second-Team All-Big 12 honoree in 2022, will come back from injury and strengthen the heart of the defense alongside Obiazor. Still, the defense will undergo growing pains with a mostly new secondary.

TCU’s inexperience and youth showed at times this season. The last few games, though, the Horned Frogs have fought through adversity and played with emotion and purpose. Carrying that approach through the offseason and into 2024 gives the Horned Frogs a very bright future. 

Big 12 Football: Week 13 Matchups and Predictions

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