FORT WORTH, Texas — TCU needed a second-half turnaround to get past Kansas, and the Horned Frogs delivered when it mattered most.
Trailing at halftime, TCU rallied for a 22-16 victory over the Jayhawks on Saturday at Amon G. Carter Stadium, using a defensive touchdown and a clutch scoring drive in the closing minutes to come away with the Big 12 win.
Linebacker Max Carroll helped shift the momentum with a 60-yard interception return for a touchdown early in the third quarter. The play brought the Horned Frogs within six points and gave the defense a much-needed lift.
TCU continued its push later in the quarter when running back Ace Theus broke through for a 28-yard touchdown run, giving the Horned Frogs their first lead of the afternoon at 14-13.
Kansas answered with a field goal in the fourth quarter to regain the lead, setting up a tense finish.
With the game on the line, quarterback Jaden Craig delivered. He led an 84-yard scoring drive and capped it with a 17-yard touchdown run with 1:11 remaining. Craig then found Jordan Dwyer for the two-point conversion to make it a 22-16 game.
The Jayhawks had one final chance to respond, but TCU’s defense came through once again, shutting down the opportunity and protecting the lead.
Craig finished with 141 passing yards and 87 rushing yards, while Theus added a touchdown on the ground. Carroll’s interception return proved to be one of the afternoon’s defining plays.
Kansas finished with 451 total yards compared with TCU’s 286, but the Horned Frogs made their biggest plays count. After struggling to find momentum in the first half, TCU found its footing after the break and finished the job.
The victory gives TCU another important conference win as it looks ahead to the final stretch of its Big 12 schedule.
UP NEXT: TCU travels to Tucson for a Friday night matchup against Arizona on Nov. 6. Kickoff is scheduled for 9:15 p.m. CT at Arizona Stadium.
