TCU got another win in a 31-7 victory of Arkansas State at Amon G. Carter Stadium on Saturday. The Horned Frogs are now 2-1 heading into Big 12 play next weekend against UCF.
TCU took down Arkansas State 31-7 in Fort Worth to move to 2-1 on the season before heading into Big 12 next weekend.
The Horned Frogs stepped back inside Amon G. Carter Stadium on Saturday looking to tally back-to-back wins and keep its home record spotless this year.
It was not as easy as the previous matchup with Grambling State, which saw TCU roll to a 63-7 victory, but the outcome was inevitably the same.
The hometown Horned Frogs drew first blood on a 10 play, 76 yard drive that was punctuated by a three-yard rushing score from Jeremy Payne midway through the opening quarter.
TCU would strike again in the second quarter, with quarterback Jaden Craig connecting with Ed Small on a 17-yard touchdown strike to stretch the advantage to 14-0.
But the RedWolves were able to keep the game tight in the first half, as TCU took a narrow 14-7 lead into halftime after Arkansas State snuck into the end zone with just over a minute to go.
Out of the locker room, both teams struggled to break through in the unexpectedly tight matchup.
However, it was TCU once again gaining the upper hand by driving 99 yards in a methodical eight-minute series that culminated in another Craig touchdown pass, this time to Ka'Morreun Pimpton.
That score came with just seconds left in the third quarter and gave the Horned Frogs a comfortable 21-7 lead heading into the decisive final frame.
TCU added on a field goal with around five minutes to play and Craig tossed for another touchdown at the two-minute mark to stretch the lead to 31-7
In the final minutes, the Horned Frog defense smothered out the RedWolves and secured the victory for TCU.
Following a loss in their opener to North Carolina in Dublin, the Horned Frogs have rattled off two straight wins and appeared to turn the page completely on that disappointing debut.
This is especially notable on offense, which still has areas to clean up but have shown much more signs of life than its initial display against the Tar Heels.
After being held to no touchdown passes in Dublin, Craig has tossed for seven in the past two games with only one interception, as well.
It is the type of performance that was expected from Craig coming over from Harvard and sets the foundation that he can compete with the Horned Frogs.
There is definitely things left to address as the schedules heats up for TCU, but the Horned Frogs can take pride in the efforts the past two weeks to get back into the right side of their win-loss record.
TCU has its biggest test since facing off with North Carolina next Saturday, when it leaves for its first true road game of the season to visit UCF.
The Horned Frogs and Knights will duel in a Big 12-opening battle at 2:30 p.m. CT from Orlando on Sept. 26.
