TCU's Season Takes Brutal Turn After Special Teams Disaster

TCU was less than two minutes away from celebrating one of its biggest victories of the season Friday night.

Instead, the Horned Frogs watched a shocking special teams mistake turn a potential upset into one of their most painful losses of the year.

MORE: TCU Fumbles Away Win in 29-28 Loss to No. 22 Arizona

No. 22 Arizona rallied for a stunning 29-28 victory at Casino Del Sol Stadium after TCU mishandled a late kickoff, giving the Wildcats possession deep in Horned Frogs territory and setting up Michael Salgado-Medina's winning 37-yard field goal with 38 seconds remaining.

TCU (4-5, 2-4 Big 12) appeared firmly in control after quarterback Jaden Craig scored on a 2-yard touchdown run with 6:35 remaining, giving the Horned Frogs a 28-20 advantage.

Arizona quarterback Noah Fifita responded by engineering an 11-play, 75-yard drive capped by a spectacular 15-yard touchdown pass to Quincy Craig with 1:45 left.

The Wildcats failed on their two-point conversion, leaving TCU ahead 28-26.

All the Horned Frogs needed to do was recover the ensuing kickoff and protect the football.

They couldn't.

Arizona kicker Ian French lofted a short, high kickoff over TCU's front line. Horned Frogs receiver Ed Small attempted to field the ball but couldn't secure it, allowing Wildcats reserve cornerback Zuri Watson to recover at the TCU 26-yard line.

The turnover completely changed the game.

Arizona ran three plays to position Salgado-Medina for a 37-yard field goal. The junior delivered, splitting the uprights and giving the Wildcats their first lead since the third quarter.

TCU still had time to respond, but Craig threw an interception to Tyrese Boss on the Horned Frogs' next offensive snap, ending any chance of a comeback.

The finish overshadowed several impressive TCU performances.

Craig completed 28 of 41 passes for 232 yards and a touchdown while adding two rushing scores.

Kari Ashley caught 14 passes for 95 yards, while Jordan Dwyer contributed nine receptions for 86 yards and a touchdown.

Defensively, Hudson Hooper recorded 12 tackles and returned an interception 93 yards for a touchdown, helping TCU overcome an early 10-0 deficit.

But none of those contributions could overcome the final special teams breakdown.

The Horned Frogs managed only 281 total yards compared with Arizona's 441, yet still positioned themselves to knock off a nationally ranked opponent on the road.

Instead, Sonny Dykes' team suffered another frustrating defeat, falling below .500 with three regular-season games remaining.

TCU returns home Saturday, November 14, to face Kansas State.

The Horned Frogs need two victories in their final three games to become bowl eligible.

MORE: No. 15 TCU Crushes Le Moyne 96-41, Extends Historic Home Win Streak

And after Friday night's collapse, the challenge isn't simply winning another football game.

It's finding a way to finish one.