The Horned Frog faithful that filled Amon G. Carter Stadium hardly had a chance to get their seats warm before they were hopping out of them in response to a Derius Davis 100-yard opening kickoff return for a touchdown. As 120 decibels blasted from the Frog Horn, it began to feel like a turn around moment for TCU’s season. A win over West Virginia would set the wheels back on track that were derailed by Texas and Oklahoma. However, the Mountaineers had plans on U-turning their season, as well.
Sunny skies set the scene for a pregame saturated with purple. Frog Alley festivities, the team’s Frog Walk entrance, and sounds from the TCU marching band kept energy levels high in preparation for an anticipated night game. As the sun set over the Fort Worth skyline, hope rose for two teams seeking a successful second half of the season.
After TCU’s crowd-igniting start to the game, a fierce battle ensued. West Virginia’s Leddie Brown would snag the headlines with his 3 rushing touchdowns, a feat that TCU couldn’t match. While the contest offered opportunities for the Horned Frogs, they were unable to capitalize sending the Mountaineers back to their country roads with a 29-17 victory.
Both teams now at 3-4, two different trajectories have been established. TCU has dropped four of their last five with few expected wins ahead. West Virginia won’t be favored in many upcoming duels, but they are fueled with a resurgent spirit that could carry them to a winning season. In both cases, each team must venture up a steep hill in order to earn a rewarding finish.
