Eric Boggs 
TCU won a hard fought victory over Stanford to open the season.
The TCU Horned Frogs narrowly escaped with a 34-27 victory over Stanford in their season opener, overcoming a series of mistakes that nearly derailed their chances. Despite outgaining the Cardinal by more than 200 yards and dominating in tackles for loss, the Horned Frogs found themselves trailing for much of the game, only securing the win in the final minutes.
From the outset, TCU’s performance was a mixed bag. The offense, led by quarterback Josh Hoover, moved the ball efficiently, but crucial mistakes kept the Horned Frogs from capitalizing on their opportunities. Hoover, who completed 28 of 42 passes for 353 yards and two touchdowns, was sharp early on, completing his first eight passes and relying heavily on wide receiver Savion Williams to exploit the Stanford defense. However, penalties and turnovers plagued TCU, leading to a 17-10 halftime deficit despite Hoover’s impressive first-half stat line of 18-of-22 for 209 yards.
One of the most frustrating moments came in the second quarter when JP Richardson fumbled deep in Stanford territory after a promising drive, allowing the Cardinal to take a 14-7 lead. Later, after a Tymon Mitchell interception set TCU up at the Stanford 22-yard line, the offense could only muster a field goal after stalling inside the five-yard line. These missed opportunities highlighted the Horned Frogs’ ongoing struggles in key situations, reminiscent of the issues that plagued them last season.
As the game progressed, Hoover’s poise under pressure became the deciding factor. With TCU trailing 24-20 and less than seven minutes remaining, Hoover orchestrated a game-winning drive that showcased his growth and maturity. He started by finding Jack Bech for a 13-yard gain and followed up with a 34-yard pass to JP Richardson, who dragged several Stanford defenders deep into Cardinal territory. A few plays later, Hoover connected with Bech again, this time for a go-ahead touchdown that gave TCU a 27-24 lead with 3:13 left on the clock.
“Those are the moments I love,” Hoover said after the game. “My entire life, I’ve felt like I’m a guy who lives for those situations. Tonight, we showed what we’re capable of when it matters most.”
Defensively, TCU displayed a much more aggressive approach under new coordinator Andy Avalos. The Horned Frogs consistently pressured Stanford quarterback Ashton Daniels, with players like Cooper McDonald living in the backfield and contributing to the team’s six tackles for loss in the first half alone. JaTravis Broughton, filling in for the absent Avery Helm, did an outstanding job containing Stanford star receiver Elic Ayomanor, holding him to just one reception in the first half.
However, despite these positives, the TCU defense had its share of struggles, particularly in containing Daniels, who rushed for 92 yards on 10 carries. The Cardinal found success with quarterback runs and benefited from costly TCU penalties that extended drives. One such instance occurred in the fourth quarter when Abe Camara’s unsportsmanlike conduct penalty turned a potential third-and-long into a Stanford scoring drive that gave them the lead at 24-20.
Jack Bech, who unexpectedly started at outside receiver, was one of the game’s standout players. Initially listed as the second-team slot receiver, Bech earned the start over Eric McAlister and Dylan Wright and immediately justified the coaching staff’s faith in him. He recorded 122 yards on his first four receptions, each gaining at least 15 yards. His 43-yard catch in the first half nearly resulted in a touchdown, and his 13-yard reception at the start of TCU’s go-ahead drive in the fourth quarter was critical.
“We felt like Jack could have a game like he had tonight,” head coach Sonny Dykes said. “He’s a guy that Josh really counts on and believes in.”
While TCU managed to secure the victory, the game served as a reminder of the areas that still need improvement. The Horned Frogs’ situational struggles, particularly in the first half, mirrored issues from last season, raising concerns about the team’s ability to perform consistently under pressure. Penalties, turnovers, and missed opportunities nearly cost them a win against a Stanford team that, despite its resilience, was clearly outmatched in terms of talent and execution.
Looking ahead, the Horned Frogs will need to clean up these mistakes if they hope to compete at a high level throughout the season. The victory against Stanford may have been hard-fought, but it also exposed the gaps in TCU’s game that need addressing. Hoover’s heroics and the defense’s aggressive approach were bright spots, but consistency will be key as the season progresses.
In the end, TCU’s ability to grind out a win in a tough road environment bodes well for their resilience, but they’ll need to tighten up their game if they want to avoid similar scares in the future.
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