TCU receiver Eric McAlister guts through injury to help secure victory
TCU wide receiver Eric McAlister played with an injured hamstring Saturday against Colorado, but came up big in the Horned Frogs’ 35-21 victory at Amon G. Carter Stadium.
McAlister caught four passes for 65 yards with two touchdowns, the fourth multi-touchdown game of his career and his second in the past three games, while fighting through an injury that left him questionable earlier in the week.
TCU head coach Sonny Dykes said he was surprised that McAlister and running back Kevorian Barnes were able to play, considering how they looked earlier in the week.
“[McAlister] had the injury last week that, quite frankly, I did not think he would play this week on Monday or Tuesday,” Dykes said. “Thought there was a chance. Same thing with Kevorian Barnes. I didn’t think either one of them were likely to play.”
Barnes finished with 48 yards on 16 carries in his first game since the Horned Frogs’ home-opening win over Abilene Christian on Sept. 13.
Dykes commended the pair’s effort, saying it encapsulated the type of players McAlister and Barnes are.
“They’re two guys that want to win, want to help their team, want to do anything they can to help us win, and just love those guys, love their effort,” Dykes said. “Eric’s a big-play receiver; it’s just what he does. He makes big plays in critical situations. We needed Kevorian, and we needed Eric, and those guys stepped up in critical situations, and did what big-time players do.”
Quarterback Josh Hoover, who threw for 275 yards and four touchdowns, praised McAlister for playing through injury and for the type of competitor he is.
“Eric made some unbelievable plays tonight,” Hoover said. “Another touchdown he caught with one hand, and he’s just kind of a winner, you know. It’s just kind of who he is. He does things to help us win, and he’s a great player when you need him, and in those critical moments, he makes those plays. And so having a guy like that, you know, on the team is huge.”
Controverisal play
TCU’s win wasn’t without controversy, as a phantom pass interference call on McAlister wiped out a 43-yard reception on fourth down by DJ Rogers to the Colorado 5 with the game tied at 21 in the fourth quarter.
The play incensed Hoover, who argued with officials, but a Colorado fumble on TCU’s subsequent punt blunted the possible effect of that missed call.
“Obviously some things didn’t go our way, didn’t get some calls we should have, and that’s part of it,” Hoover said. “You just got to respond, and I think we did that, you know. Thankfully, we had the punt get muffed and we recovered it, and that was huge. So we got the ball right back, and so kind of worked out for us, and I think we just did a good job of never panicking tonight.”
This story was originally published October 5, 2025 at 1:02 AM.
