No. 13 TCU fends off FCS opponent South Dakota State, 59-41

It was closer than expected and closer than the final score indicated, but TCU escaped with a season-opening 59-41 win Saturday against South Dakota State at Amon G. Carter Stadium.

In his first game as TCU’s starting quarterback, Kenny Hill, from Southlake Carroll and more recently a transfer from Texas A&M, bounced back after two interceptions in the second quarter and finished 33-of-49 throwing for 439 yards and two touchdowns. He ran seven times for 45 yards and three more scores.

SDSU held a 24-21 lead with under a minute left in the second quarter, but TCU freshman kicker Ryan Graf banged in a 32-yard field goal with two seconds before halftime to at least take the 24-24 tie into halftime. SDSU receiver Jake Wieneke was a thorn in the TCU secondary’s side all night, finishing with eight catches for 198 yards and two touchdowns for the Jackrabbits.

This story was originally published September 3, 2016 at 10:59 PM with the headline "No. 13 TCU fends off FCS opponent South Dakota State, 59-41."