LIVE TCU football updates: Frogs overcome sluggish start in 42-12 rout over SMU

In the end, TCU took care of business.

The Frogs overcame a two-hour delay and slow start in a 42-12 victory over SMU on Friday night.

KaVontae Turpin sparked the Frogs with a 78-yard punt return for a touchdown in the second quarter, and delivered again with a 42-yard score in the fourth quarter. Quarterbacks Shawn Robinson and Michael Collins each had rushing scores on the night.

Defensively, tackle Corey Bethley shined with two sacks. Ends Ben Banogu and Ty Summers each recorded sacks as well. Banogu stripped the ball loose on his, too, setting up a scoop-and-score for Alec Dunham.

TCU is now 2-0 going into its primetime game against Ohio State next Saturday at AT&T Stadium.

Turpin’s monster game

If you needed a refresher, KaVontae Turpin is dangerous in the open field.

The TCU speedster scored his second touchdown of the night early in the fourth quarter, going untouched on a 42-yard reception. Turpin scored on a 78-yard punt return earlier in the game.

The latest touchdown gives TCU a 35-12 lead.

End of third quarter

It hasn’t been pretty, but TCU is looking more like the No. 16 team in the country against SMU.

The Frogs are starting to pull away in the third quarter. Quarterback Shawn Robinson threw an interception on the first drive of the second half, but the defense responded.

Frogs defensive end Ben Banogu stripped the ball loose and Alec Dunham scooped-and-scored from 24 yards to make it a 21-12 game.

Then Robinson rebounded after the pick with a nice 18-yard run for a score. Officials initially ruled Robinson out just short of the goal-line, but it was overturned on review.

Robinson now has three rushing TDs in the first two games.

Halftime

TCU has come to life. At least enough to take the lead against SMU.

The Frogs got on the board early in the second quarter on a 78-yard punt return for a TD by KaVontae Turpin, and benefited from a fortunate bounce on a fumble that resulted in a TD. TCU is leading SMU 14-12 at halftime.

The play of the night so far has been Turpin’s return in which he went untouched into the end zone. He has now returned a punt or kick for a score in each of his four seasons. Turpin also set a school-record for most special teams touchdowns with five.

The score pulled the Frogs to within 9-7.

The Frogs took the lead midway through the quarter. Running back Sewo Olonilua had a nice run before being stripped of the ball. It bounced in the end zone and was headed through it, but wide receiver Jaelan Austin recovered it before it went out of bounds. That gave the Frogs a 14-9 lead.

But SMU put together a field goal drive to end the half and pull within two.

End of first quarter

Maybe it was the almost two-hour delay. Maybe it was something else.

But, for whatever reason, TCU didn’t get off to a promising start against SMU.

The Frogs’ defense gave up a big play on the Mustangs’ opening possession. SMU running back Braeden West broke free for a 51-yard score, as Garret Wallow missed a tackle in the backfield and the rest of the Frogs couldn’t wrap West up.

The offense didn’t fare much better on its first possession. Quarterback Shawn Robinson and running back Sewo Olonilua fumbled a handoff exchange, although Robinson recovered. Then receiver Jalen Reagor dropped a pass that would’ve been good for a first down on a third-and-14.

TCU’s punting unit gave up a long return, too, but that was negated by a block in the back penalty by SMU. But the punting unit had a breakdown its next time.

Frogs punter Adam Nunez struggled handle a high snap from Antonio Oritz, and fumbled the ball when he gained control. An SMU player knocked the ball out of the end zone without establishing possession, resulting in a safety and a 9-0 lead for SMU.

SMU caught a special teams break later in the first quarter, too, when a punt bounced nicely for it to down it at the TCU 2.

The good news coming out of the first quarter? TCU defensive end Ty Summers is making a seamless transition from linebacker. He registered his second sack in as many games, bringing down SMU quarterback Ben Hicks to force a punt.

This story was originally published September 7, 2018 at 9:37 PM.