The TCU Horned Frogs proved exactly why they're ranked fourth in the BCS with a convincing 55-28 victory over the Utah Utes Saturday night. TCU took the field in front of an Amon G. Carter record 50,307 fans (6,307 above capacity) and rumor has it there were many more fans outside watching the game on TV screens just to soak in the atmosphere and continue tailgating.
As the sea of purple welcomed the Horned Frogs onto the field, the environment in and around the stadium could only be described as "electric" with flash bulbs firing off all around as the Frog players unveiled their new threads for the first time in a game. For a game where TCU had everything to gain by winning, and yet everything to lose by losing, they delivered everything the Horned Frog fans wanted to see and more.
For starters, the Frogs wasted no time getting down to business, scoring a mere 27 seconds into the contest. As if it wasn't already evident by the amped feeling in the air, TCU had not left their A-game in their other pants.
The Horned Frogs were led offensively by Andy Dalton's 207 passing yards with a touchdown and an interception, as well as Ed Wesley's career-high 137 rushing yards on 12 carries and a touchdown. Matthew Tucker also provided two rushing touchdowns to go with his 67 ground yards. Ryan Christian caught the lone touchdown pass out of his five receptions for 48 yards while receivers Jeremy Kerley and Antoine Hicks both earned touchdowns on the ground.
For the Utes, running back Eddie Wide was held under the 100-yard mark for the first time in the last seven games with just 25 yards on 14 carries and a score. Shaky Smithson fared a bit better with five carries for 23 yards and two scores. Freshman quarterback Jordan Wynn played well for Utah with 219 passing yards, a touchdown and an interception while receiver David Reed had a productive night hauling in six passes for 111 yards and a was on the receiving end of the lone touchdown pass.
TCU defensive end Jerry Hughes dominated the night defensively picking up a sack and a half to go with two and half tackles for a loss as the defense combined for two sacks and six tackles for a loss. Linebacker Tank Carder grabbed the lone interception for the Horned Frogs and took it 15 yards to the house for a pick-six.
The Frogs did exactly what needed to be done and looked really good doing so. By dominating the final major hurdle on their schedule, TCU has set themselves into exactly the position any mid-major team in the nation would trade for a thousand times out of a thousand. But alas, the journey has not ended yet. They have two regular season games remaining and if writers and analysts across the country haven't noticed them yet, well then quite honestly, they just haven't been looking.
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