Texas Tech University Athletics
Texas Tech Athletics
TCU
Tech falls 35-34 at TCU
October 26, 2024 | Football
Tahj Brooks rushed for 130 yards to record his 19th-career 100 yard rushing game
FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — Josh Hoover threw for 344 yards and his third touchdown pass was a go-ahead 84-yarder to Eric McAlister with 5:10 left as TCU rallied from a 17-point deficit after halftime to beat Texas Tech 35-34 on Saturday.
Texas Tech was driving to set up a potential game-winning field goal when true freshman quarterback Will Hammond fumbled at the TCU 27 on a third-down carry with 1:38 left. Hammond, who had taken over for injured starter Behren Morton, was trying to get down in the middle of the field when he took a crushing hit from Hakeem Ajijolaiya.
Hoover completed 21 of 32 passes and overcame three turnovers of his own, a fumble when being sacked and two interceptions, as the Horned Frogs (5-3, 3-2 Big 12) won consecutive conference games for the first time since their undefeated 2022 regular season. He also threw an 8-yard TD to tight end DJ Rodgers in the fourth quarter.
The Red Raiders (5-3, 3-2) were up 31-14 after Hammond threw a touchdown and ran for another one on the first two drives after halftime. Morton didn't return because of a left shoulder injury after being sacked on a third-down play with 36 seconds left in the first half.
TCU had a 14-3 lead in the first quarter after receiver Savion Williams turned a direct snap into a 35-yard touchdown run and had a 75-yard catch-and-run for another score. The senior and former prep quarterback spun around a defender after crossing the line of scrimmage on the TD run, and came out of the backfield to catch Hoover's pass near midfield before outracing defenders to the end zone. Williams had 11 carries for 72 yards and caught three passes for 81 yards.
Big 12 rushing leader Tahj Brooks, who ran 30 times for 121 yards, place-kicker Reese Burkhardt and Hammond all had 4-yard TD runs for the Red Raiders. Burkhardt's run was wide sweep on a fake field goal when punter holder Jack Burgess tossed the ball over his shoulder, and was set up by Harvey Dyson's sack and fumble recovery.
Brooks has run for at least 95 yards in 18 consecutive games, including 15 with at least 100 yards. The only FBS player since 1996 with a longer streak was 19 in a row by Minnesota's Mohamed Ibrahim from 2020-22.
