A first half that was defined by high powered offense, ended with two big special teams plays and the TCU Horned Frogs in the lead of the Baylor Bears 31-27.
With 1:38 left in the first half, TCU running back B.J. Catalon returned the Baylor kick-off 94 yards for a touchdown.
TCU, after stopping Baylor and getting the ball back, fumbled a punt attempt and gave Baylor the ball at the TCU 11-yard line, which set up a 29-yard field goal by kicker Chris Callahan.
The game, however, was majorly dictated by the offense.
Baylor started the game with the ball, and promptly moved down the field behind quarterback Bryce Petty’s arm and legs.
Baylor was stopped due to a big sack by TCU’s defensive tackle Chris Bradley and an inability to covert a fourth and 16 play.
TCU’s offense started off slow, but a defensive holding call by Baylor cornerback Ryan Reid extended the drive, which ultimately ended with a 34-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Trevone Boykin to wide receiver Kolby Listenbee.
On the pass, Listenbee collided with wide receiver Deante’ Gray, who had originally caught the ball, but lost it because of the contact. Listenbee then caught the ball while on his back in the end zone.
The Horned Frogs have now scored a touchdown on their opening drive in all five games this season.
Baylor responded with a strong drive until running back Shock Linwood fumbled at the TCU 34-yard line. The fumble was forced by line backer Paul Dawson and recovered by defensive end Mike Tuaua.
Tuaua had a strong first half, adding a few quarterback pressures and a sack to the fumble recovery.
TCU kept up the offensive intensity by scoring in 41 seconds to take a 14-0 lead.
Boykin connected with Listenbee on a 51-yard completion, and running Catalon finished the drive with a three-yard touchdown run to the outside.
Both offenses then stalled, going three-and-out on two straight possessions, before Baylor had a quick score of their own.
Petty connected with wide receiver Antwan Goodley for a 66-yard score that brought the Baylor crowd right back into the game and made the score 14-7.
After another three-and-out by TCU and a bad punt by Ethan Perry, Baylor started their drive at their own 38.
Petty connected with wide receiver Corey Coleman for 47 yards on the first play of the drive, which set up a first and goal for the Bears at the TCU 5-yard line.
However, TCU’s defense stood tall and did not allow another yard on the drive which ended up a 22-yard Callahan field goal.
The Horned Frogs offense started the second quarter with a 15 play, 90-yard drive that culminated with another Catalon rushing touchdown, this one for 9 yards.
Petty, who had had an up-and-down first half to this point, connected with Coleman for his second touchdown pass of the game. The pass was a perfect 29-yard strike that threaded the needle past two TCU defenders.
The Horned Frogs, now up 21-17, could not respond and were forced into their fourth three-and-out by the Baylor defense.
After another bad punt by Perry, Baylor had excellent field position at the TCU 40-yard line.
However, two dropped passes and a failed fourth down attempt gave the ball right back to TCU.
The resulting TCU possession would be highlighted by a couple of big runs by Boykin and would end with a 39 yard field goal by kicker Jaden Oberkrom, who entered the game just 6 for 9 on his attempts for the year.
Petty and the Baylor offense responded quickly with a 67-yard touchdown pass from Petty to freshman stand-out KD Cannon, who had been quiet up to that point.
Catalon then returned the kickoff for a touchdown.
After a quick three-and-out by Baylor, TCU got the ball back and committed a fumble on the punt attempt which led to the afformentioned field goal to end the half.
Boykin is TCU’s offensive leader with 165 yards through the air and a touchdown, while Petty led a dominating Baylor air attack with 300 yards and three touchdowns.
Listenbee finished the half with two catches for 86 yards and Dawson led both defenses with 10 tackles and two sacks.
