TCU's Trevone Boykin (2) is one of country's most dynamic players. (Brendan Maloney-USA TODAY Sports)
AUSTIN, Texas — The TCU Horned Frogs took advantage of their opportunities Thursday night, beating the Texas Longhorns 48-10 to move one step closer to winning the Big 12 Conference.
More importantly, the No. 5 Horned Frogs hope the performance can help nudge them up one spot in the College Football Playoff rankings.
TCU (10-1, 7-1) forced a season a season-high six turnovers on a night where the offense sputtered at times.
TCU sophomore defensive end Josh Carraway forced the final turnover that sealed the win.
With 2:19 left in the game, Carraway intercepted Texas quarterback Tyrone Swoopes and strolled into the end zone for a 33-yard touchdown. It was the second defensive touchdown Carraway had a hand in in the game, forcing a fumble that defensive end Terrell Lathan returned for a touchdown with 20 seconds left in the first quarter.
Carraway’s fourth-quarter interception return capped a quarter that saw TCU rack up 28 points — also including quarterback Trevone Boykin’s touchdown pass to receiver Josh Doctson, a Boykin touchdown run and a touchdown by running back Aaron Green.
Swoopes struggled for the Longhorns (6-6, 5-4). He was 20 of 34 passing for 200 yards, one touchdown and four interceptions. Boykin was 20 of 34 passing for 233 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.
Texas’ defense kept TCU’s offense from finding a rhythm for much of that first half.
After the Horned Frogs settled for two field goals from kicker Jaden Oberkrom, TCU’s defense provided the first touchdown of the first half.
Lathan’s fumble recovery was one of two turnovers TCU forced in the first quarter. Safety Sam Carter also had an interception in the first 15 minutes. Coming into the game, TCU led the conference with 28 forced turnovers.
The Horned Frogs’ last drive of the first half turned out to be their best one. TCU pieced together a nine-play drive that finished with a 4-yard touchdown pass from Boykin to wide receiver David Porter along the back of the end zone. The score that came with 1:34 left in the in the second quarter gave the Horned Frogs a 20-3 lead at halftime.
NOTES: Texas C Dom Espinoza issued a statement on Twitter on Wednesday that said he will not return for a sixth season. Espinoza suffered a season-ending ankle injury in the opener against North Texas. … Texas WR Jaxon Shipley missed the game because of a hamstring injury sustained in a 28-7 win at Oklahoma State on Nov. 15. … Thursday night’s game was only TCU’s third Thanksgiving game since 1928. … Texas quarterback David Ash received a strong ovation before the game when the seniors were acknowledged in their final home game. Ash suffered multiple concussions during his career and ended his career following a concussion in the season-opener against North Texas. … TCU RB Aaron Green started his fourth consecutive game. … TCU RB B.J. Catalon missed his third straight ball game after he was knocked out of the Horned Frogs’ 31-30 win against West Virginia on Nov. 1.
