TCU once again saw a game slip through its hands, as mistakes and miscues cost the Horned Frogs in their Big 12 opener against UCF in a 21-13 loss.
In its Big 12 opener, TCU was stunned for the second time this season in a one-score game, as UCF defended its home field in a 21-13 defeat for the Horned Frogs.
TCU headed out of Fort Worth for its first true road game of the season and for the first time since taking on North Carolina in Dublin to begin the year.
The Horned Frogs found themselves in unfamiliar territory against an equally unknown opponent, as their Big 12 opener took them to Orlando to face off with the UCF Knights.
In the afternoon affair, UCF drew first blood in its hometown on a six-play, 43-yard drive that was capped off by a Taevion Swint touchdown.
But the Horned Frogs answered back quickly with a poised drive from veteran quarterback Jaden Craig, who handed it off to Jeremy Payne for the equalizing score.
Following those opening fireworks from both squads in the opening quarter, TCU took advantage first in the second quarter and took its first lead at 10-7 on a short field goal.
However, from that moment on, it seemed like the Horned Frogs had no answers for UCF defensively and no sense of direction of their own on offense.
The Knights, led by backup quarterback Keyone Jenkins, outscored TCU 14-3 throughout the rest of the matchup.
Much like in its prior loss to North Carolina, the Horned Frogs still had a chance to tie things up and potentially take the win in overtime.
And just like against the Tar Heels, TCU and Craig were stifled in a do-or-die situation to drop their second game of the year and go to 0-1 in Big 12 play.
For the Knights, they entered the matchup without starting quarterback Alonza Barnett III, who transferred to UCF from James Madison.
While UCF was without a main starter, TCU welcomed back a game-changing piece for the first time this season.
Wide receiver Jordan Dwyer made his debut after nursing a nagging foot injury that kept him sidelined throughout the previous three outing for the Horned Frogs.
Dwyer finished as TCU's leading receiver with five catches for 100 yards in a solid return to the field.
Although, it did not seem to matter in the long run, as the Horned Frogs once again slipped into old habits that cost them the win in Ireland in the season debut.
After throwing for seven touchdowns in the previous two weeks combined, Craig was once again held without a score through the air and tossed two interceptions, which was double the amount he had all season long.
Following a promising stretch to close non-conference play, TCU finds itself back at square one and picking up the piece of another disappointing loss in an opening matchup.
The Horned Frogs will try and get things right next weekend, but it will not be easy, as No. 9 BYU pays a visit to Fort Worth.
