TCU vs. Texas final score, results: Horned Frogs defense bottles up Longhorns to stay undefeated

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No. 4 TCU vs. No. 18 Texas was supposed to be an offensive display between two offenses in the top 25 in total scoring.

That couldn’t have been further from the case. Both the Horned Frogs and Longhorns labored through a defensive slugfest that saw the first half come to a close at a modest 3-0, as TCU hoped to keep its College Football Playoff bid alive in Austin.

But a second-half surge in the running game gave TCU the jolt it needed to score a pair of touchdowns and hold the Texas offense to three total points in a 17-10 win on Saturday.

MORE: Watch college football live with fuboTV (free trial)

At the end of the first half, TCU had averaged only 0.3 yards per carry as a major part of its offense failed to get going against a stout Texas rushing defense. But by the end of the game, the numbers greatly improved as Kendre Miller and Emari Demercado helped the team rush for a combined 159 yards on 44 carries and a touchdown.

After only a field goal separated the teams at the half, the two teams looked quiet again to start the second. Three straight drives ending in punts began the third quarter until Miller exploded for a 75-yard touchdown run on the fourth drive to put TCU up 10-0.

Texas responded with a 12-play, 71-yard field-goal drive, but TCU marched right back down the field and scored a second straight touchdown when Max Duggan found Quentin Johnston all alone in the end zone for a 31-yard touchdown.

MORE: Tracing Gary Patterson’s switch from TCU to Texas

The two offenses remained stagnant from there as Texas turned the ball over on downs on back-to-back drives, and TCU was forced to punt on its next drive after the Johnston touchdown.

However, Texas was given a spark as Duggan fumbled the football on an option, and Jahdae Barron scooped it up for a 48-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown to give Texas its first touchdown of the game. TCU ran the clock out on an eight-play, 4:25 drive to move to 10-0.

MORE: Duggan has earned his place in the spotlight ahead of Texas showdown

The win carries plenty of significance for the Horned Frogs as they look to the final stretch of the season. TCU clinched a spot in the Big 12 championship game and defeated the only team currently left on their regular-season slate that was ranked before matchups with Baylor and Iowa State to close out the year. And on a day where No. 6 Oregon fell to No. 25 Washington, the legitimate remaining contenders in the College Football Playoff field continue to dwindle.

With TCU’s win, FiveThirtyEight gives the Horned Frogs a 50 percent chance of making the CFP and a 25 percent chance of winning out. 

The Sporting News tracked live scoring updates and highlights from No. 4 TCU vs. No. 18 Texas. Follow for the latest from the Big 12 contest.

TCU vs. Texas score

  1 2 3 4 F
TCU 0 3 7 7 17
Texas 0 0 3 7 10

TCU vs. Texas live updates, highlights

(All times Eastern)

Fourth Quarter

10:58 p.m.: Demercado picks up the first down, and TCU will hang on to win this game 17-10.

10:57 p.m.: Two straight runs for Demercado picks up eight yards and sets up a third-and-2. With just over a minute left and Texas out of timeouts, a first down ends the game.

10:56 p.m.: Demercado picks up 11 yards on a physical run up the middle.

10:55 p.m.: Duggan finds Johnston for a gain of six to pick up the first down on a third-and-4 try. TCU keeps the drive moving.

10:54 p.m.: Next carry by Miller is blown up at the line for a loss of a yard.

10:53 p.m.: Miller starts the drive with a six-yard carry up the middle.

10:53 p.m.: TCU will start the drive from the 25 after taking the touchback.

10:50 p.m. Texas scoring play: Shocking play as Duggan fumbles the handoff on an option, and Jahdae Barren picks it up and takes it back for a 52-yard scoop-and-score. TCU still leads 17-10.

10:47 p.m.: TCU starts with a rush for a yard by Miller.

10:43 p.m.: Hodges-Tomlinson breaks up a deep shot to Sanders, and TCU will take over at the Texas 38 with under five minutes left to play.

10:41 p.m.: Officials initially rule that Whittington made a catch that would set up a fourth-and-1, but review will almost certainly overrule the play.

10:40 p.m.: After an incompletion, Ewers slips to set up a third-and-17 for the Longhorns.

10:40 p.m.: Whittington makes a catch out at the 45 to give the Longhorns a quick 20-yard strike to begin the drive.

10:36 p.m.: Texas will start with the ball at its own 25.

10:36 p.m.: Johnston drops a pass that hit him in the numbers, and it will bring up a TCU punt from the 40.

10:35 p.m.: Two more runs for shorter yardage brings up a third-and-5.

10:34 p.m.: The TCU rushing attack is really starting to come alive. Demercado runs for 14 yards up the middle for another first down up to the TCU 35.

10:33 p.m.: Miller picks up a first-down with a run of nine and then a short gain up the middle to keep the chains moving with under nine minutes to play.

10:28 p.m.: Ewers tries to fit a pass into quadruple coverage to Sanders in the end zone, and it falls incomplete. The Longhorns turn the ball over on downs with 9:40 left at the TCU 10.

10:27 p.m.: Ewers drops the snap and he manages to fall on the ball to avoid a quick TCU fumble recovery. His next pass attempt is incomplete in the end zone. Fourth-and-goal.

10:26 p.m.: Pass interference penalty sets Texas up at the five with a first-and-goal. First pass attempt was nearly picked off in the end zone to bring up second-and-goal with 10:13 left.

10:25 p.m.: After a seven-yard completion to Whittington, Ewers throws a short pass underneath to Sanders for five yards that picks up the first down. However, he missed a wide-open Robinson on the wheel route down the left sideline that would have been an easy touchdown.

10:24 p.m.: Run for three by Ewers, pass to Whittington for six and a run by Robinson for seven picks up a quick first down to start the drive.

10:22 p.m.: Keilan Robinson decides to return the kickoff, and it works out well as he carves up the left side of the field up to the TCU 48 to start Texas’ drive. The Longhorns needed that spark.

10:18 p.m. TCU scoring play: Total breakdown by the Texas defense as Johnston sneaks behind the secondary and winds up in the end zone for a wide-open 31-yard touchdown pass. Doesn’t get any easier than that. TCU extends its lead to 17-3.

10:18 p.m.: Duggan throws an incompletion near the sideline to Hudson.

10:17 p.m.: The Texas pass-rush flushes Duggan out of the pocket, and he’s forced to throw it away.

10:15 p.m.: Run by Duggan catches Texas off guard and he picks up 11 yards out to the Longhorns’ 43. Demercado follows that up with another big run up the middle for 12 yards as TCU picks up back-to-back first downs.

10:14 p.m.: With new life from their own 42, the Horned Frogs start with a handoff to Demercado, who picks up five yards on the ground.

10:13 p.m.: Yet another penalty with the defense trying to get to the punter as Texas is called for roughing the kicker. That will be 15 yards and a first down for TCU.

10:12 p.m.: Duggan is pressured and fires a pass to Savion Williams, but they can’t connect for the first down, and TCU will have to punt.

Third Quarter

10:08 p.m.: Duggan evades some of the pressure, but he’s still brought down for just a yard as the third quarter winds down.

10:07 p.m.: Miller keeps up with his strong second-half running, as he takes the first carry of the drive six yards up the middle.

10:06 p.m.: Davis opts to return the kickoff and he’s stopped at the TCU 20.

10:04 p.m. Texas scoring play: A rush for a loss of two and back-to-back incompletions bring up fourth-and-goal and force Texas to bring out the field goal unit trailing 10-0 with 1:02 left. TCU still leads 10-3.

10:03 p.m.: One of the first times a pass on a seam route has connected for Ewers as he hits Sanders at the TCU 2-yard line for 25 yards, and Texas has a first-and-goal.

10:01 p.m.: Impressive play by Texas as Ewers hits Sanders in space for a first down and a pickup of nine. Whittington then catches another short pass and again makes a few guys miss with a first down up to the TCU 27.

10:01 p.m.: Worthy catches a wide receiver screen, but gets only four yards to bring up a fourth-and-7.

10 p.m.: Nice cut by Robinson, but it’s all for naught as the defense quickly gets to him for a loss of one in the backfield as Texas now faces a third-and-11.

9:59 p.m.: Whittington catches a short pass from Ewers and makes a few guys miss as he cuts down the right sideline for a 26-yard gain up to the TCU 49. Ewers then overthrowns Worthy on yet another deep ball.

9:58 p.m.: Texas will begin the drive at the 25, taking the touchback.

9:56 p.m. TCU scoring play: There’s the big play this game has missed. Miller caught a block along the right side and he took off down the sideline for a 75-yard touchdown rush to give TCU the two-score advantage with 5:08 left. TCU extends its lead to 10-0.

9:55 p.m.: Duggan gets to the edge on a carry and rushes for a pickup of 10 yards to give TCU the first down.

9:54 p.m.: Miller fights ahead for a gain of four yards to start the drive.

9:50 p.m.: Ewers tries to flip the ball out to Johnson in the middle of the field, but the ball drops incomplete. Punt rolls out at the TCU 6-yard line, as the Longhorns start to try and play the field position game against the Horned Frogs.

9:48 p.m.: Robinson rushes for no gain, and Ewers throws a pass out to Billingsley, who drops a wide-open pass on the outside. Yet another ugly drop for the Longhorns.

9:48 p.m.: Pass interference penalty called on TCU to move the Longhorns up 15 more yards.

9:47 p.m.: Another completion for Ewers as he hits Sanders for a first-down completion of 14 yards to start the drive.

9:43 p.m.: Jordan Hudson catches a pass for nine yards, but TCU will have to punt. Texas will start the drive from its own 19.

9:42 p.m.: Blitz by the Longhorns gets to Duggan right away as Ryan Watts comes across Duggan’s blindside untouched to sack him for a loss of 10 yards after a Miller rush for a loss of one.

9:40 p.m.: Impressive catch-and-run by Miller as he fights forward for a 10-yard gain to keep the drive moving and pick up the first down at the 41.

9:39 p.m.: Loss of a yard on the first carry of the half by Miller. Next play is a pass by Duggan batted right back to him, and he makes the catch and runs for a gain of one.

9:36 p.m.: TCU will start its drive at its own 30.

9:34 p.m.: Another run by Robinson goes for no gain, and then a receiver screen to Sanders is picked up and he’s tackled for a loss of two. Ewers’ next pass is broken up and the Longhorns will have to punt.

9:34 p.m.: First-down run by Robinson goes for no gain, but Ewers finds Worthy to the left on the next play, and the star receiver cuts up to pick up the first down at the 31.

9:32 p.m.: The second half will begin with Texas taking starting the drive from the 21.

Second Quarter

9:18 p.m.: A few stats at the end of the first half.

TCU Stat Texas
7 First downs 3
68 Total yards 72
13-19 Completions-Attempts 4-14
3.3 Yards per pass 2.8
0.3 Yards per rush 2.5
3-20 Penalty-yards 6-59

9:11 p.m.: The punt by Texas will be the final play of the first half.

9:09 p.m.: Ewers’ pass up the middle of the field to Jordan Whittington is stopped a yard shy of the first. The Longhorns opt to wind the clock down to 11 seconds left rather than try for the fourth-and-1 at the Texas 49.

9:08 p.m.: Worthy drops a pass on a short crossing route to bring up third-and-10.

9:07 p.m.: Texas starts the drive with a spark as Ewers hits Worthy for a 15-yard gain, but his next throw is incomplete.

9:06 p.m.: Texas will start at its own 25.

9:05 p.m. TCU scoring play: With 1:20 remaining in the half, Kell drills the field goal to put the Horned Frogs on the board. TCU takes a 3-0 lead.

9:01 p.m.: A pass for two yards and an incompletion sets up a third-and-8. Miller picks up five yards on a carry up the middle with a timeout, bringing up an interesting decision for TCU facing a fourth-and-3 and 1:13 left in the half.

9 p.m.: 8-yard pass to Barber picks up the first out to the Texas 23 with 2:45 left in the first half.

8:57 p.m.: Another pass behind the line that’s blown up for a loss of four. Miller gains three more back, and a delay of game moves them up five. TCU will have to convert on a third-and-6 to keep the drive moving.

8:57 p.m.: A third first down on this drive alone as Jared Wiley catches a 10-yard pass up to the 35.

8:55 p.m.: TCU now has two first downs on this drive as Trent Battle for a gain of nine into Texas territory. Demercado rushes for two to move up to the 45.

8:54 p.m.: Geor’Quarius Spivey catches a quick curl route for six yards and a first down. The next play, Miller adds five yards to bring up a second-and-5.

8:53 p.m.: Miller picks up four yards on his first carry and two more on the second carry. TCU has a third-and-4 coming up.

8:50 p.m.: Holding penalty on the return backs up the Horned Frogs’ opening drive to their own 27.

8:49 p.m.: First pass completed past the line of scrimmage for Ewers picks up 12 to Sanders, but it’s not enough to pick up the first down. Texas will have to punt.

8:47 p.m.: Sidearm throw by Ewers falls incomplete to bring up third-and-19. The offensive struggles continue for Texas.

8:46 p.m.: Ewers rushes for a modest gain, but a holding penalty brings it back. That’s now five penalties for 55 yards.

8:45 p.m.: Robinson picks up the first down on a pitch to the right, dashing for eight yards to the Texas 16.

8:44 p.m.: First completion of the evening for Ewers as he throws it left to Worthy for a quick completion of two yards.

8:40 p.m.: Worthy calls for a fair catch at the Texas 5-yard line.

8:40 p.m.: Duggan’s throw is low over the middle, and TCU will have to punt the ball again from the Texas 42. Plenty of missed opportunities for the Horned Frogs.

8:39 p.m.: Another pass behind the line is gobbled up as Davis is taken down for a loss of three on the completion.

8:38 p.m.: After starting the drive at the 34, Duggan is sacked already for the fourth time as the pocket once again breaks down around him. Second-and-15 due up.

8:37 p.m.: Robinson takes the direct snap eight yards to the right, but the next play is picked by Hodges-Tomlinson on an underthrown ball down the middle to Worthy. Ewers is now 0-for-7 with an interception. Way too many deep shots coming up empty.

8:36 p.m.: Worthy makes a fair catch at the 10-yard line to avoid being pinned back. 

8:34 p.m.: Nothing going early for the Horned Frogs on this drive either. Back-to-back plays have them at a third-and-10, and while Johnston made a grab on the next play, he was out of bounds by the time he made the grab.

8:30 p.m.: Texas called for a penalty on TCU’s punt return, and the Horned Frogs will once again start in Texas territory. TCU will take over at the Texas 36.

8:29 p.m.: Ewers will start the game 0-for-6 passing. He tries to find Brenen Thompson on an out-route, but they can’t connect.

8:28 p.m.: After a false start penalty, Ewers takes another shot to Worthy deep down the right sideline, and this one again falls incomplete. 

8:27 p.m.: Johnson rushes for two yards right up the middle to pick up Texas’ first first down of the game. Comes on the first play of the second quarter. Ewers overshoots Worthy on a deep shot down the right sideline to bring up a second-and-10.

First Quarter

8:22 p.m.: Johnson ends the first quarter with a run for nine yards.

8:21 p.m.: The Texas line continues to assert its authority as it tips the kick from Griffin Kell for the TCU kicker’s first missed field goal of the year. Hooked wide left on a 34-yard try.

8:20 p.m.: After a Texas timeout, Duggan is sacked trying to escape the pocket. Looks like the Horned Frogs will have to settle for a field goal.

8:19 p.m.: Duggan pulls the ball on the option and tries to catch the defense by surprise running to the left, but the Longhorns were ready and swallow him up for a loss of four. Third-and-10 coming up.

8:18 p.m.: Huge play for the Horned Frogs — first big play of the game — as Johnston catches a dart and carves through the middle of the field for a 29-yard gain. TCU in scoring position at the Texas 11. Miller follows that up with a run for five.

8:16 p.m.: Toss sweep for Derius Davis loses six. Another big negative play for the Horned Frogs. The next play is a pass batted away at the line, and TCU is facing a third-and-16.

8:15 p.m.: TCU begins the drive at the Texas 44, and the first play is a run by Miller for four yards. The next play is better as Miller cuts through the line to the Texas 39 for the first down.

8:14 p.m.: The Longhorns had a first down and a potential gain of 18 yards or more, but Ja’Tavion Sanders drops the ball. Second bad drop by the Longhorns receivers today.

8:13 p.m.: Another run by Robinson going nowhere. Robinson is stopped for no gain at the line. Third-and-8 coming up.

8:12 p.m.: Longhorns, trying to give themselves some space, hand the ball off to Robinson, who picks up only two yards.

8:08 p.m.: Outstanding punt and special teams by TCU. The punt takes a sideways hop at the 1-yard line and is fielded there by the Horned Frogs. Ewers and the Longhorns will start the drive needing 99 yards for a touchdown. The two teams have combined for negative one yards with 6:18 left in the first quarter.

8:07 p.m.: Screen pass to Emari Demercado picks up 10 yards. TCU initially made it look like it would go for it, but took the delay of game to bring out the punting unit and try to pin the Longhorns deep.

8:05 p.m.: The Texas defensive front bursts through on back-to-back plays to more than make up for the penalty. Miller is tackled for a loss of three and Duggan is sacked almost immediately on the next play to lose seven more yards. Third-and-20 coming up for TCU. 

8:05 p.m.: Duggan threw an incomplete pass, but the Horned Frogs get their first first down of the day on a Texas penalty for illegal use of hands to the face for a 15-yard penalty.

8:04 p.m.: Duggan’s pass to Barber is low, and while the TCU receiver makes the low catch, he loses a yard on the play.

8 p.m.: Just as everyone expected between these two teams early: defensive slugfest. Ewers is sacked for a loss of six by Dylan Horton, and a Texas punt will give TCU the ball at the Longhorns’ 49. No first downs for either team.

7:58 p.m.: Longhorns’ drive starts at the 20 with a run by Johnson, but this time, he’s stopped for no gain. Ewers’ pass over the middle on the next play goes through the hands of Worthy for an incompletion.

7:56 p.m.: The Texas defensive line keeps Duggan hemmed in the pocket, and Barryn Sorrell sacks Duggan for a loss of 11. TCU punts the ball away, but the punter, Jordy Sandy, is hit and draws a penalty for running into the kicker. Another penalty, holding, is accepted by TCU, and Texas will will start a few yards further back.

7:55 p.m.: It’s Taye Barber’s turn to take a jet sweep, but this one is less successful as Johnson’s, as he loses two yards. The Horned Frogs pick up five of those yards back on a carry by Kendre Miller.

7:50 p.m.: Jet sweep from Roschon Johnson picks up six yards. The Longhorns decided to go for it, but Robinson was stopped at the line. Horned Frogs will take over at their own 35 as both teams fail to pick up a first down.

7:49 p.m.: Ewers tries to hit Xavier Worthy on the right sideline, but corner Tre-Vius Hodges-Tomlinson makes a great pass breakup. Bijan Robinson follows that up with a run for three yards.

7:48 p.m.: Texas nearly blocks the punt, but it will still get great starting field position, taking the ball at the TCU 43.

7:48 p.m.: TCU goes three-and-out as Duggan’s check-down pass falls incomplete. TCU will punt from its own 12.

7:46 p.m.: Duggan’s first pass to Quentin Johnston is complete for five, but he misses on the second attempt to bring up a third-and-5. A false start backs them up five more yards.

7:45 p.m.: TCU will start the game on offense at its own 12-yard line after great coverage by the Texas special teams.

7:41 p.m.: The Longhorns have taken the field ahead of tonight’s game.

7:12 p.m.: Getting closer to the start of TCU vs. Texas. The Longhorns are ready to host the pivotal matchup.

TCU vs. Texas start time

  • Date: Saturday, Nov. 12
  • Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET

Kickoff between these two Big 12 squads is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET from DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas.

What channel is TCU vs. Texas on today?

  • TV channel (national): ABC
  • Live stream: ESPN+, fuboTV

Saturday’s game between the Horned Frogs and the Longhorns will be carried by ABC. Chris Fowler will be on play-by-play and Kirk Herbstreit will provide analysis. Holly Rowe will be reporting from the sideline.

Viewers can live stream the game on ESPN+ or with fuboTV, which offers a free trial.

TCU vs. Texas odds

  • Spread: Texas -7
  • Over/under: 65
  • Moneyline: Texas -275, TCU +220

Odds courtesy BetMGM

The Longhorns are touchdown favorites over the undefeated Horned Frogs. Oddsmakers are also expecting plenty of scoring in Saturday’s contest, with an over/under of 65.

TCU schedule 2022

Date Opponent Outcome
Sept. 2 at Colorado TCU 38, Colorado 13
Sept. 10 vs. Tarleton TCU 59, Tarleton 17
Sept. 24 at SMU TCU 42, SMU 34
Oct. 1 vs. No. 18 Oklahoma* TCU 55, Oklahoma 24
Oct. 8 at No. 19 Kansas* TCU 38, Kansas 31
Oct. 15 vs. No. 8 Oklahoma State* TCU 43, Oklahoma State 40 (2OT)
Oct. 22 vs. No. 17 Kansas State* TCU 38, Kansas State 28
Oct. 29 at West Virginia* TCU 41, West Virginia 31
Nov. 5 vs. Texas Tech* TCU 34, Texas Tech 24
Nov. 12 at No. 18 Texas* —
Nov. 19 at Baylor* —
Nov. 26 vs. Iowa State* —

* Big 12 game

Texas football schedule

Date Opponent Outcome
Sept. 3 vs. ULM Texas 52, ULM 10
Sept. 10 vs. No. 1 Alabama Alabama 20, Texas 19
Sept. 17 vs. UTSA Texas 41, UTSA 20
Sept. 24 at Texas Tech* Texas Tech 37, Texas 34 (OT)
Oct. 1 vs. West Virginia* Texas 38, West Virginia 20
Oct. 8 vs. Oklahoma* Texas 49, Oklahoma 0
Oct. 15 vs. Iowa State* Texas 24, Iowa State 21
Oct. 22 at No. 11 Oklahoma State* Oklahoma State 41, Texas 34
Nov. 5 at No. 13 Kansas State* Texas 34, Kansas State 27
Nov. 12 vs. No. 4 TCU* —
Nov. 19 at Kansas* —
Nov. 25 vs. Baylor* —

* Big 12 game

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