TCU Rolls Over Oklahoma State
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FORT WORTH, Texas — Coming off back-to-back emotional games, TCU was on the spot Saturday to respond or retreat in the Big 12.
The No. 12-ranked Horned Frogs charged ahead, routing No. 15 Oklahoma State 42-9 at Amon G. Carter Stadium as they re-established themselves as a conference contender.
TCU romped to a 28-9 halftime lead built on big plays, then put the game away with a dominant third quarter to improve to 5-1 overall and 2-1 in the Big 12, which now appears up for grabs after a wild weekend in the conference.
The Horned Frogs were coming off a last-second loss to Baylor, which came on the heels of a rousing win over Oklahoma, creating some concern over the mental state of the squad. All questions were squashed early, with TCU starting fast and never relenting.
“Well, I was just proud of the group and the way they bounced back,” said TCU coach Gary Patterson. “I told them last week I put too much defense in and confused them and didn’t play very well. I told them I wouldn’t do that to them again. It’s the next ball game. Now we have Texas Tech moving forward.”
TCU outgained the Cowboys 676-258, and held Oklahoma State without a touchdown for the first time since 2009. The Cowboys had scored at least 20 points in 58 straight games dating back to the 2010 opener.
“They’re pretty difficult to defend,” said OSU linebacker Ryan Simmons. “That’s a great team they
have right there. They have great receivers. Great O-line. Great defense. They gave it to us. They came out and played their A game, did their thing.
“They ended up being the better team today.”
The dominance carried throughout. The Horned Frogs posted their largest margin of victory in a Big 12 game; put up the fifth-most total yards in program history; and for the first time had a 400-yard passer in quarterback Trevone Boykin, a 200-yard receiver in wideout Josh Doctson and a 100-yard rusher in running back B.J. Catalon.
The Horned Frogs scored on three straight possessions in the first quarter to go ahead 21-3.
Boykin twice connected with Doctson for long touchdown passes that went for 77 and 84 yards. Catalon scooted 34 yards for a scoring run. And that was just in the opening quarter.
Boykin finished with a career-best 451 all-purpose yards. Most of it came through the air, as he completed 26-of-39 throws for 410 yards and three touchdowns, with one interception. Doctson caught seven passes for 225 yards and the two scores.
“Leaders on our team pick guys up during the week,” Boykin said. “We knew that taste we had in our mouth after the Baylor game. We made a promise to our team and ourselves that we really don’t want that anymore. So we just came out today and played four quarters.”
Cowboys quarterback Daxx Garman wasn’t nearly as sharp. He finished 10-of-25 for 132 yards, with two interceptions.
Oklahoma State entered the weekend after rising in the rankings and standing unbeaten in Big 12 Conference play, yet also on watch as a team still requiring validation.
After pushing No. 1 Florida State in the season opener, the Cowboys had reeled off five straight wins against struggling squads. Their three wins in the Big 12 came against teams with a combined 0-9 mark before Saturday.
After Saturday, doubts about Oklahoma State gained ground. It was the Cowboys’ worst loss since falling 56-20 to Texas Tech in 2008.
“It wasn’t a very good day for us,” said Cowboys coach Mike Gundy. “We didn’t make enough plays; coaches coached better than us; players played better. We just got our butts kicked, there’s not really anything else I can say.
“Offensively we couldn’t make plays. We never could get out of a jam. We played a better football team. They’re definitely a better football team, no question.”
