10
Loading video...
By Rowan Fisher-Shotton
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
TCU fell 24-20 in their homecoming game against West Virginia on Saturday. The loss dropped the Horned Frogs to 3-4 overall and 1-3 in Big 12 play. The worst part is that TCU had every opportunity to win the game, outgaining the Mountaineers 484-265 and winning the possession battle, holding the ball for more than 37 minutes.
But they repeatedly hurt themselves with several costly mistakes, including an interception, fumble, and missed field goal all in the first half. Late in the fourth quarter, TCU drove into the red zone with a chance to steal the win, but quarterback Jaden Craig was strip-sacked at the West Virginia 14-yard line with 34 seconds left, ending any chance of a comeback. It marked the Horned Frogs' fourth loss in a one-score game this season.
On Sunday, TCU head coach Sonny Dykes made the difficult decision to remove a key member of his staff, firing longtime co-offensive coordinator and offensive line coach A.J. Ricker.
Read More on NCAA
More news: UCLA’s Perfect Season Isn’t Impressing Everyone After Michigan State Win
TCU moved the ball effectively against West Virginia, but failed to finish drives multiple times. They also gave up three sacks, committed three turnovers, and finished the game without a single score in the fourth quarter. Dykes expressed frustration with the team's inability to capitalize on scoring opportunities after the game, saying those mistakes had become a recurring problem.
Ricker joined TCU in December 2021, when Dykes came over from SMU. He has previously worked under Dykes at SMU for two seasons, holding the same positions he had with the Horned Frogs. During his time in Fort Worth, Ricker helped develop several NFL-bound offensive linemen, including Steve Avila, a second-round pick in 2023, and Brandon Coleman, a third-round pick in 2024. The offensive line played a key role in TCU's breakout 2022 season, when they made it all the way to the College Football Playoff National Championship Game.
But the recent struggles have been difficult to ignore. TCU has already allowed 20 sacks through seven games, and their offense hasn't been consistent enough to translate to wins. Before Saturday, TCU had lost 15-10 in its season opener against UNC, 21-13 at UCF a few weeks later, and 17-10 against BYU at home one week after that.
More news: Arch Manning and Holly Rowe Go Viral Again After Texas’ Win Over Ole Miss
...
More news: LSU Gets Unexpected CFP Lifeline After Crushing Auburn
TCU is coming off back-to-back 9-4 seasons under Dykes. Their worst season came in 2023, when they went just 5-7 and failed to make a bowl game. They face the same reality this season, with the possibility of finishing with an even worse record given their upcoming schedule.
The Horned Frogs will next host Kansas on Oct. 31 before going to Arizona, hosting Kansas State and Utah, and ending their season on the road at Texas Tech. That's a tough stretch, and another losing season could put Dykes on the hot seat too.
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines