FORT WORTH, Texas — Ed Small turned a strong start to the season into a career night Saturday, and TCU finished its nonconference schedule with a convincing 31-7 victory over Arkansas State at Amon G. Carter Stadium.
Small erupted for a career-high 164 receiving yards and scored his first touchdown of the season, giving quarterback Jaden Craig another explosive target as the Horned Frogs controlled the game from the opening quarter.
Craig continued his impressive run under center, completing 21 of 29 passes for 337 yards and three touchdowns. It marked his second straight 300-yard passing performance, and he has reached that mark in each of the last two games while attempting fewer than 35 passes.
TCU also got touchdown receptions from tight ends Kari Ashley and Ka’Morreun Pimpton. Ashley hauled in a 29-yard scoring pass from Craig, while Pimpton scored on a 9-yard reception.
The Horned Frogs have leaned heavily on their tight ends in the passing game this season. Five of TCU’s seven passing touchdowns have gone to tight ends.
TCU opened the scoring on Jeremy Payne’s 3-yard touchdown run in the first quarter. Small added his touchdown on a 17-yard reception in the second quarter, helping the Horned Frogs build momentum before pulling away after halftime.
The third quarter featured one of TCU’s most impressive drives of the season. The Horned Frogs marched 99 yards for a touchdown, their first 99-yard scoring drive since accomplishing the feat against Kansas in 2021.
Defensively, TCU kept Arkansas State’s offense in check. Red Wolves quarterback Trey Owens entered the game completing 72.3% of his passes but finished at just 46% against the Horned Frogs.
TCU has surrendered only 29 points through its first three games, its lowest total allowed through three games since 2014, when opponents scored 21 points.
Koron Hayward recorded a sack for the second consecutive game, while Hudson Hooper led TCU with a career-high seven tackles.
Special teams also produced a standout performance. Punter John Hoyet Chance averaged 52.7 yards on five punts, including a career-long 56-yarder. His average was the second-highest single-game punting average by a TCU player since Joey Biasatti averaged 52.8 yards on five punts in 2001.
Nate McCashland added a 29-yard field goal in the fourth quarter for his first made field goal of the season.
The victory also extended several notable TCU streaks. The Horned Frogs have now scored in 423 consecutive games, the second-longest scoring streak in NCAA history behind Florida’s 475-game run. TCU has also scored on its opening possession in every game this season.
TCU improved to 3-0 all-time against Arkansas State and 15-5 against nonconference opponents under coach Sonny Dykes.
With nonconference play complete, the Horned Frogs now turn their attention to Big 12 play.
TCU opens conference competition on the road against UCF on Saturday, Sept. 26, with kickoff scheduled for 2:30 p.m.
