Caden Letsche | @Cadenletsche1
Kansas City, MO – The Kansas Jayhawks fell to the TCU Horned Frogs in a disappointing loss by a score of 38 to 27.
The action started off with TCU driving down the field only to have their starting running back, sophomore Cam Cook, fumble in Kansas’ territory.
The Jayhawks wasted no time capitalizing on that turnover with a score of their own. Redshirt junior quarterback Jalon Daniels found senior wide receiver Luke Grimm in the front corner of the endzone for Kansas’ first touchdown of the game. This was only the second time this season that the Jayhawks had scored a touchdown on their opening drive.
However, the rest of the first quarter was a mirror of each other’s offense. TCU’s sophomore quarterback Josh Hoover answered by driving his team 92 yards to answer right back. Then, KU responded with their own quick drive that was capped off with a two-yard rushing touchdown by none other than senior running back Devin Neal.
In a game where both offenses did not look like they’d be stopped, the second quarter had a mix of both defensive and offensive star plays. The quarter kicked off with TCU’s Cam Cook getting his touchdown with an inside handoff to tie it right back up.
Then the scoring came to a standstill until Josh Hoover was picked off by senior safety OJ Burroughs and returned to the six-yard line. TCU defense did their part and held the Jayhawks to a field goal. Then, for the fourth straight game, Kansas allowed the opposing team to drive down the field for a touchdown in the final two minutes of the first half. At halftime, TCU had a lead 21-17.
To open the second half, the Jayhawks drove down the field capped off by an eight-yard rushing touchdown by redshirt junior running back Daniel Hishaw Jr. which turned the tide for the time being. Senior cornerback Mello Dotson got a pick right after and set up the Jayhawks to start putting the game away.
Neither side of the ball could not seem to score, even after a shootout of a first half. After a missed field goal from TCU, and multiple punts from KU, it was time for the Horned Frogs to turn the tide again. Senior wide receiver JP Richardson returned a punt from KU for 89 yards to give TCU the 28-24 lead.
To start the fourth quarter, TCU got the ball right back and capitalized within a couple of plays. Josh Hoover found junior wide receiver Eric McAlister for the 59-yard score to put them up eight. KU responded with a quick three-and-out. TCU then went to the basics by running it down the field while chewing the clock down. With just about three minutes left, TCU practically iced the game with a field goal to put themselves up eleven.
Josh Hoover was the standout of the game with a performance of 28/37, 356 yards and three touchdowns. The bright side for KU was the defense forcing three takeaways and Neal and Hishaw combining for 155 yards rushing, along with two touchdowns.
Kansas will travel next week to Tempe, Arizona to take on the Arizona State Sun Devils. The game will be broadcast on ESPN2, with kickoff slated for 7 p.m. Saturday, October 5.
KJHK’s next football broadcast will come on October 19 when Kansas takes on Houston during homecoming week. Kickoff time is yet to be announced.
Photo: Michael D’Arcy, KJHK Sports Photography