TCU pulls away from Arizona 49-28 with relentless offense

FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — Josh Hoover threw for 252 yards and a touchdown and JP Richardson had 149 all-purpose yards and a 38-yard touchdown reception to lead TCU over Arizona 49-28 on Saturday.

On the first play from scrimmage, Wildcats quarterback Noah Fifita was intercepted by Bud Clark and TCU scored five plays later on Trent Battle’s 4-yard run.

The Horned Frogs scored touchdowns on five straight drives, going at least 75 yards on nine or more plays on three of the possessions.

TCU (7-4, 5-3 Big 12) drove 75 yards in 12 plays in the final 1:55 of the first half to take a 21-13 lead on Savion Williams’ 20-yard run. Hoover completed five passes on the drive, including gains of 24, 19, and 24 yards to set up Williams’ score with 20 seconds left in the half.

The Horned Frogs took the second-half kickoff and drove 76 yards in nine plays to build a 28-13 lead on Battle’s 1-yard run.

“We had two series where it didn’t look very good, but the last drive of the first half and the second half were the two pivotal moments of the game,” TCU coach Sonny Dykes said.

Richardson’s 33-yard punt return to the Arizona 34 set up a third touchdown in three possessions. He caught a short pass over the middle from Hoover and raced untouched 38 yards for the score and a 35-13 lead. Richardson led TCU with six catches for 107 yards.

Four TCU running backs scored a touchdown, including Williams, who rushed for 80 yards and two scores. Battle also rushed for 28 yards and two scores.

Fifita was 29 of 44 for 284 yards with two touchdowns and an interception for Arizona (4-7, 2-6). Tetairoa McMillan made nine catches for 115 yards.

“Everyone is disappointed. It’s hard when you go through a season like this,” Arizona coach Brent Brennan said. “It’s challenging on every level. I love these players.”

Scoop and score

Arizona defensive lineman Sterling Lane II picked up a fumble from TCU backup quarterback Ken Seals with just over a minute left in the game and ran it 70 yards for a touchdown to cap the scoring.

Nipped in the Bud

Clark leads the Horned Frogs with three interceptions, including one in each of the past two games. He is tied for fifth-most in the Big 12.

Passing your coach

McMillan became Arizona’s all-time leading receiver, passing his wide receivers coach Bobby Wade for the top spot. McMillan had nine receptions for a game-high 115 yards. He has 78 receptions for 1,251 yards this season and 207 receptions for 3,355 yards in his career. Wade finished his four-year career with 3,351 receiving yards in 2002.

The takeaway

Arizona: The Wildcats, who started the season in the AP Top 25 poll, will not be bowl-eligible this season with a game remaining under Brennan. A year ago under coach Jedd Fisch, who is now at Washington, Arizona advanced to the Alamo Bowl for the first time since 2017.

TCU: The Horned Frogs, who became bowl-eligible two weeks ago, won their third consecutive game at Amon Carter Stadium after losing two in a row to UCF and Houston. TCU has won four of its past five, the only blemish a 37-34 last-second loss at Baylor.

Up next

TCU: At Cincinnati on Saturday.

Arizona: Hosts Arizona State on Saturday.

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