Horned Frogs Win 8th Straight W/4th Qtr Comeback

Tonight was a tough night for the Horned Frogs of TCU, but the game easily could have gone the other way.  Louisiana Tech, from the get-go, carried the game's momentum and easily could have won by numerous touchdowns.  After the teams traded 3-and-outs to begin the game, the Bulldogs found a hole to take the first score of the game, a Matt Nelson 23 yard field goal.  Louisiana Tech's defense was dominating and TCU looked lost after their numerous dropped passes.  The Frogs finally received a break, as Bulldog rushing back Hunter Lee fumbled the ball to give TCU both momentum and the ball.  TCU used 8 plays and 57 yards to tie up the game, but Louisiana Tech responded with a 7 play, 59 yard drive to expand their lead to seven.  The Bulldog defense had refueled and was back in control.  Their defense allowed only 24 yards in TCU's next two possessions and caused a fumble.  The Horned Frogs were in trouble and not playing like the #18 team in the country, but their time would come.  After a missed field goal attempt by the Bulldogs and an overthrown pass from Louisiana Tech quarterback Colby Cameron that resulted in an interception, TCU was reenergized and focused to take advantage.  After five plays, the Horned Frogs tied the game at 10 with seconds remaining in the first half, and were back in control of the game.  Their confidence had soared and were ready to carry their late luck over to the second half.

The second half would indeed begin in TCU's favor, and the Horned Frogs used their then-longest drive of the game with 11 plays and 55 yards to take their first lead of the game.  Louisiana Tech caught a break minutes later, as TCU's second turnover set up the tying touchdown for Louisiana Tech.  After Louisiana Tech scored their second consecutive touchdown with 2:27 left in the 3rd, the TCU offense finally took control of the game.  Sophomore quarterback Casey Pachall used an incredible 9 minute, 18 play, 72 yard drive to wear down the tiresome Bulldog defense and hang on for the team's eighth consecutive victory heading into the Big 12 next season.  TCU's 31-24 victory tonight also marks the sixth consecutive victory at the Poinsettia Bowl for a Mountain West Conference team.