TCU Tops Kansas, Remains Undefeated

Both Kansas and TCU entered Saturday undefeated and at the top of the Big 12 standings, but only TCU remains so, now 5-0.

The Jayhawks hosted ESPN’s College GameDay for the first time in school history but were unable to score on their final drive. No. 17 TCU scored late to take the lead and held on to top No. 19 Kansas, 38-31.

TCU and Kansas’ Slow First Half

TCU headed into halftime with a 10-7 lead over the Jayhawks. Both teams were relatively sloppy through the first two quarters, with four punts, two turnovers and two turnovers on downs combined.

The only first-half touchdown came late in the second quarter for TCU but started at its own one-yard line. However, it quickly moved down the field as quarterback Max Duggan found Quentin Johnston for a 53-yard gain on the first play of the drive.

From there, it worked inside the red zone and ultimately found the endzone courtesy of a Kendre Miller touchdown run.

One of the most notable parts of the first half happened inside the last minute when Kansas’ star quarterback Jalon Daniels went down with an injury along the sideline. He would not return in the second half.

Jalon Daniels headed to the locker room after an apparent injury

(via @CFBONFOX)pic.twitter.com/Xts8HnznMu

— Bleacher Report CFB (@BR_CFB) October 8, 2022

Third Quarter Explosion

Despite a slow first half and now a backup quarterback in the game for the Jayhawks, the offenses came to life in the third quarter. With the teams traded touchdowns in the quarter, scoring three each.

Kansas came out fast and furious to open the half behind backup quarterback Jason Bean. Tanaka Scott reeled in a 52-yard pass from Bean to get the drive moving. Bean led the Jayhawks down the field 75 yards in just over two minutes to even the score, 10-10.

A few drives later, Kansas jumped on a TCU fumble with a chance to take its first lead of the day. It did just that, as Bean found Luke Grimm for his second touchdown pass of the day.

Jayhawks backup QB Jason Bean has STEPPED UP today, 6/7 for 99 yds and 2 TDs. pic.twitter.com/kFTO7IL7qv

— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) October 8, 2022

A back-and-forth series of drives resulted in four touchdowns in five drives as the third quarter winded down.

The quarter concluded with a quick TCU drive that started at the 50 as a result of a Kansas unsportsmanlike penalty. Duggan marched the Horned Frogs 50 yards in under two minutes to take a 31-24 lead into the fourth quarter.

One Quarter to Remain Undefeated

The opening drive of the fourth quarter took a little over seven minutes, as the Jayhawks marched down the field in hopes of tying the game.

On the fifteenth play of the drive, kicker Jacob Borcila, who was just three for five on the year, missed the 31-yard field goal to squander the drive.

TCU was forced to punt after a three-and-out, which gave Kansas another opportunity to tie the game. Quentin Skinner somehow managed to get his feet down in the back of the endzone with under five minutes to go to tie the game.

Duggan was not done yet. He quickly led TCU back down the field and delivered a ridiculous over-the-shoulder ball to Johnston again, who secured the catch to regain the lead.

QUENTIN JOHNSTON!! Unreal!! pic.twitter.com/77aFN3Pg02

— Cam Mellor (@CamMellor) October 8, 2022

Kansas failed to convert on fourth down inside of a minute, allowing TCU to run out the clock and escape Lawrence with a victory.

TCU SURVIVES! Kansas' undefeated season comes to an end

pic.twitter.com/A72pMOpugV

— PFF College (@PFF_College) October 8, 2022

What’s Next for TCU and Kansas?

TCU jumped four spots to No. 13, its highest ranking since 2017. It remains undefeated and toward the top of the Big 12 alongside Kansas State and Oklahoma State. The Horned Frogs host the No. 8 Oklahoma State Cowboys on Saturday at 3:30 in potentially the biggest game within the conference so far this year.

Meanwhile, Kansas did not move in the updated AP Poll, as it stay at No. 19. This is significant news for the Jayhawks, who had not really been tested prior to their conference tilt with TCU. It will be crucial for Kansas to get Daniels back, although Beam did perform well, throwing for 262 yards and four touchdowns. The Jayhawks will hope to get back on track when they travel to Norman to take on the struggling Oklahoma Sooners.

The sellout Kansas crowd applauds the Jayhawks off the field after the loss to TCU.

It’s been a long time since this program has been competitive, and the fans can appreciate a competitive loss.

— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) October 8, 2022