TCU defense shuts down BYU offense, takes away ground game in sizable victory
On the heels of two consecutive losses, TCU’s defense stepped up against BYU to get the Horned Frogs back in the win column.
TCU tallied 584 total yards to BYU’s 243 in a 44-11 spanking on Saturday at Amon G. Carter Stadium. The Horned Frogs thrived against the run, limiting the Cougars to 2.8 yards per carry.
“We had a bunch of guys make plays,” TCU head coach Sonny Dykes said. “We needed to see them do it. Just proud of the performance and I thought defensively we played outstanding.”
The Frogs were especially effective on third down, stopping the Cougars in 12 of their 14 attempts. TCU’s offense was able to capitalize in big situations, converting 12 of 19 third downs.
“The thing that we did consistently is we made plays on third down,” Dykes said.
BYU Quarterback Keldon Slovis and the offense struggled to consistently move the chains without an established ground game, accumulating only 15 first downs. Dykes said the performance was impressive, considering BYU has a “good offense.”
“They can throw the heck out of the ball,” Dykes said. “I thought we did a really good job not giving up big plays. Pressuring the quarterback.”
TCU’s defensive line ranked second in the Big 12 Conference with 16 sacks entering the game, and the unit continued it’s effective play, tallying three sacks. BYU, on the other hand, did not have any.
The limited time to throw along with TCU’s secondary coverage limited Slovis to completing 15 of 34 passes for just 152 yards.
Entering the game, TCU’s defense allowed 5.2 yards per play and 367.7 yards per game. BYU was held to 3.7 yards per play and 243 total yards.
Dykes said TCU showcased an improvement in open field tackling. He also mentioned the Frogs’ did a good job playing physical and getting off blocks.
“I think the biggest thing is we’re getting more guys around the ball,” Dykes said. “We’re playing hard.”
Setting the tone early
In the first drive of the game, TCU safety Millard Bradford stepped in front of a pass, intercepting it and returning it 35-yards for a touchdown to set the tone for the Frogs’ dominating defensive performance.
“It was big for us to get off to a good start making that play and finishing it with a touchdown,” Dykes said.
TCU quarterback Josh Hoover called Bradford’s pick six “huge.”
“Just the momentum swing,” Hoover said. “So that was really big for us and just kind of gave us that early momentum and allowed us to keep that snowball effect the rest of the game.”
The Frogs’ forced another turnover in the second quarter. This time, it was a fumble forced by cornerback Avery Helm prior to BYU quarterback Kedon Slovis’ pass attempt.
Linebacker Jamoi Hodge recovered it and the Frog offense capitalized with a 5-play touchdown drive capped by a 7-yard touchdown pass from Hoover to tight end Jared Wiley.
“I think the defense and offense played off each other incredibly well,” Dykes said. “I think they both gained a ton of confidence.”
TCU kept BYU out of its territory until the Cougars’ eighth drive of the game. Facing 4th-and-5 on the BYU 47, Slovis found Chase Roberts on a short pass and he broke free for a 39-yard gain.
Five short gains later, BYU scored with a 3-yard rush from Keelan Marion. The Cougars went for the 2-point conversion and completed it. Marion’s score was the final time BYU would find the end zone in the ballgame.
The dominance continues
Although Slovis struggled with efficiency, he averaged 10.1 yards per completion. His biggest completion was a 42-yard connection in the third quarter to wide receiver Parker Kingston. The Frogs stopped the Cougars from entering the red zone, forcing a field goal.
The Cougars needed a lot more than 3-points to erase the Frogs’ sizable lead.
In BYU’s next drive, the Cougars made it to the red zone. However, facing 4th-and-1, the Cougars turned the ball over on downs as the Frogs’ defensive line stuffed a short gain attempt.
The defense didn’t let its foot off the gas. The Cougars, with the Frogs’ lead firmly out of reach, couldn’t put any points on the board in the fourth quarter.
Linebacker Namdi Obiazor said the coaches drilled a “one step at a time” message in his mind, adding the team is trying to focus on every individual play.
“Shutting them out one at a time,” Obiazor said. “Not letting anything up. After the play resets, we’re doing it again.”
This story was originally published October 14, 2023 at 6:21 PM.
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