Jaden Craig Breaks Out as TCU Offense Explodes Past Grambling

FORT WORTH - Two games into the season, TCU quarterback Jaden Craig has already shown just how dramatically things can change from one Saturday to the next.

And the Frogs might finally see the guy they thought they were getting from Harvard.

MORE: TCU Explodes for 63 Points, Crushes Grambling in Home Opener

Craig and the TCU offense looked stuck in neutral during a season-opening 15-10 loss to North Carolina. Two weeks later, Craig was attacking every level of the field as the Horned Frogs demolished Grambling State 63-7 at Amon G. Carter Stadium.

The numbers tell the story.

Against North Carolina, Craig completed 20 of 32 passes for 175 yards without a touchdown. His 62.5 percent completion rate wasn't disastrous, but TCU couldn't turn those completions into explosive plays or points.

Craig averaged just 5.5 yards per attempt, and the Horned Frogs were shut out after scoring 10 points in the opening quarter.

Saturday was a completely different version of TCU's passing attack.

Craig went 24-of-31 for a career-high 391 yards and four touchdowns. His completion rate jumped to 77.4 percent, while his average soared to 12.6 yards per attempt.

Think about the difference: Craig threw for 216 more yards while attempting one fewer pass.

That's not simply better efficiency. That's an offense suddenly producing chunk plays.

Craig also hurt Grambling with his legs, rushing eight times for 53 yards.

Meanwhile, Kari Ashley emerged as his biggest target, catching seven passes for 119 yards and two touchdowns as TCU consistently generated opportunities downfield.

Perhaps the most encouraging number for TCU is zero.

Craig still hasn't thrown an interception through his first two starts with the Horned Frogs. He's attempted 63 passes without giving the football away through the air.

There is an obvious caveat. Grambling isn't North Carolina, and the level of defensive resistance wasn't comparable. One dominant performance doesn't automatically erase the issues TCU showed in Dublin.

But this was exactly the response the Horned Frogs needed from their quarterback.

Against North Carolina, Craig largely managed the offense.

MORE: TCU Injury Report: Key Absences Ahead of Grambling

Against Grambling, he drove it.

The next challenge will determine which version is closer to the quarterback TCU can expect moving forward. But after watching Craig produce 391 yards, four touchdowns and more than 12 yards per attempt, the ceiling for this Horned Frogs offense suddenly looks considerably higher.