Last week, 23rd ranked TCU rolled over Jackson State in the season opener with a 63-0 thrashing. The Horned Frogs took on a bigger challenge Saturday on the road, heading to Fayetteville to take on the Arkansas Razorback. TCU showed they were up to the challenge, moving to 2-0 on the season with a 28-7 win. Here are four of the more important takeaways in the contest:
Dynamic first quarter offenses
TCU and Arkansas were tied at seven at the end of the opening quarter, perhaps giving signs of a possible shootout game. The Frogs opened the scoring with a one yard run by Sewo Oloniluaa at 10:43 of the first; but Arkansas answered back with a 49 yard touchdown pass from Austin Allen to a wide open Jonathan Nance for the tying score. However, TCU only recorded 52 yards of total offense in the opening quarter.
TCU defense stout
The game took on a whole different dynamic however as the touchdown in the first would be the only points scored by Arkansas. The Razorbacks managed to enter the TCU red zone only twice during the remainder of the game, and was only 4-14 on third down conversions in the contest.
Razorbacks kicking game struggled
Former Argyle standout and Arkansas kicker Cole Hedlund took to the field twice after both aforementioned red zone stops, but struggled, missing both field goals from very short distances. Of the things to point to in how Arkansas lost, those two missed opportunities could be high up on the list.
TCU won with ground game
Not to take away from the performance by quarterback Kenny Hill, who completed 21 of 31 passes for 166 yards, but the Frogs ground game was huge in this win. Every touchdown was scored on the ground for TCU, led by Olonilua’s pair of scores. Topping the rushing list for the Frogs was Darius Anderson, who racked up 106 yards rushing with a touchdown. Former Arlington Martin standout Kyle Hicks tallied the remaining touchdown, along with 44 yards rushing.
TCU returns home next week to battle for the Iron Skillet against rival SMU. Kickoff is 2:30 P.M. central time on ESPNU. Arkansas (1-1) returns to action September 23, taking on Texas A&M at AT&T Stadium in Arlington.
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