TCU’s 31-7 win over Arkansas State offered a clean snapshot of what UCF will be dealing with when the Horned Frogs come to Orlando in Week 4.
The biggest thing to know is this: Jaden Craig is dealing. The TCU quarterback completed 21 of 29 passes for 337 yards and three touchdowns, with one interception, and spread the ball to seven different receivers in the blowout.
Ed Small was the main target in the passing game, while tight end Kari Ashley stayed among the Big 12’s reception leaders as well. Craig’s production has been loud enough to put him atop the Big 12 in passing yards, 11th nationally in passing yards and 23rd in passing efficiency.
TCU didn’t need to lean heavily on the run to control the game, but Jeremy Payne still turned in a solid day with 86 yards on 24 carries. That was enough to keep him inside the Top 20 nationally in rushing yards.
The Horned Frogs also showed some teeth on defense. They didn’t come away with a takeaway, but they were sharp on fourth down and kept Arkansas State quarterback Trey Owens in check through the air, limiting him to 11 completions on 24 attempts for 133 yards. After wrapping up non-conference play against North Carolina, Grambling and the Red Wolves, TCU now sits in the top 10 nationally in scoring defense and has defensive back Jamel Johnson on the All-Big 12 Preseason team.
UCF will host TCU on Saturday at 3:30 p.m.
Another Big 12 result that matters for the Knights came Friday night, when No. 22 Houston fell to No.
13 Texas Tech, 28-26. Houston led 10-0 after the first quarter and stayed in the fight for most of the night, even though Texas Tech eventually controlled much of the second half.
Conner Weigman threw all three Houston touchdowns, and the Cougars finished with nearly the same yardage total as Texas Tech, 282-257. The difference was efficiency: Will Hammond got more out of fewer throws, averaging 9.5 yards per attempt compared with Weigman’s 7.4.
Texas Tech’s scoring came mostly on the ground, with all but one of its touchdowns coming via rushing plays from different runners. One of those was former UCF quarterback Thomas Castellanos, who also threw an interception.
Houston still sits near the top of the national stats sheet in several key areas, including second in third-down conversion percentage, fourth in first-down offense, ninth in rushing defense and 11th in rushing offense.
There was also a Big 12 matchup in London for the Union Jack Classic, where Arizona State outlasted Kansas. The final score looked tighter than the flow of the game, since the Jayhawks only added their last 10 points in the final seven minutes after falling behind 24-7 with 12:30 left.
Kansas got its first touchdown on a punt return, and after that Arizona State’s defense kept Lance Leipold’s offense out of the end zone until 6:52 remained. The Sun Devils forced two fumbles, picked off a pass and stopped Kansas on fourth down all three times it went for it. That turnover edge helped Arizona State despite being outgained 414-228.
The passing numbers reflected that gap. Cutter Boley went 11 of 23 for 95 yards and a touchdown for Arizona State, while Kansas quarterback Isaiah Marshall finished 17 of 33 for 235 yards and a touchdown. Kansas has been perfect in the red zone this season, scoring on all 10 trips, but Arizona State never let the Jayhawks get there in this one.
UCF will play Kansas on Nov. 7 on the road and then return home the next weekend to host Arizona State.
In Other News...
TCU Gets Timely Boost As Two Key Frogs Trend Toward UCF Return
TCU got a welcome midweek development on Tuesday, when Sonny Dykes said receiver Jordan Dwyer and defensive player Zach Chapman both took part in practice and are expected to be available for the upcoming game against UCF. Dwyer was back at full speed and should give the offense another important option, while Chapmans experience gives the defense a familiar piece to work with as the Horned Frogs continue their prep.
The staff still has a few days to watch how both players respond before kickoff, but the early signs are clearly encouraging. For a TCU team trying to keep its momentum moving the right way, getting key contributors trending back at the same time is the kind of boost that can matter once conference play tightens up. [Read more 🡒]
TCU Just Opened A Long-Term Recruiting Battle For Elite Receiver
TCU has added another name to its receiver board with a scholarship offer to Jacolby Campbell, a four-star prospect out of Abbeville High School in Louisiana. Campbell is already sitting on 13 offers, a sign that the Horned Frogs are stepping into a crowded race for one of the more sought-after pass catchers in the class.
Campbell is still early in the process, with a commitment decision not expected until July or August 2027, so this is the start of a long evaluation rather than a quick finish. For now, he is focused on sharpening his game and adding strength during the offseason while pushing through his high school season, which gives TCU plenty of time to keep building a relationship before the real decision point arrives. [Read more 🡒]
TCUs First Big 12 Road Test Looks Trickier Than It Seemed
TCUs first true road game of the season arrives with a little more intrigue than the matchup sheet suggested when the schedule came out. The Horned Frogs head to Central Florida for their Big 12 opener, and while the quarterback situation for UCF has shifted with Alonza Barnett injured and unlikely to play, there is still plenty for TCU to sort through on a trip that can feel different from anything at home.
Senior Keyone Jenkins is expected to start for the Knights, who lean heavily on a rushing attack powered by Duke Watson and a defense under Alex Grinch that is built around creating turnovers. For TCU, that means the opener is less about who lines up under center for UCF and more about handling a team that can make you earn every yard, especially away from home. [Read more 🡒]