How TCU rebounded from Colorado loss to beat Nicholls State

While it wasn’t quite in dominating fashion, the TCU Horned Frogs handled their business with a 41-6 win over Nicholls State on Saturday night at Amon G. Carter Stadium.

The Horned Frogs (1-1) jumped out to a 24-3 lead in the first half and appeared set for a blowout that would allow most of the roster to play. However, TCU was a bit lackluster in the second half, leaving the door cracked slightly open for a Colonels comeback.

In the the third quarter, Nicholls State dominated time of possession and added a field goal to cut the TCU lead to 24-6 with 2:51 left in the quarter. The Colonels got a fourth-down stop to begin the fourth quarter and had momentum on their side, but were unable to make anything happen.

TCU quarterback Chandler Morris put the game away with a four-yard touchdown pass to JoJo Earle with 10:15 remaining. Morris finished the game with 263 passing yards, 63 rushing yards and three total touchdowns.

It was closer than TCU wanted, but the Horned Frogs got back in the win column.

Confidence builder for Morris?

After an inconsistent performance against Colorado, Morris used the matchup against Nicholls State to find a rhythm and continue to build his confidence. In the first half, Morris showed off his dual-threat capabilities by completing 81% of his passes for 176 yards while also leading the team in rushing with 61 yards.

Of those, 32 of his rushing yards came on a scramble where Morris eluded the rush on fourth down and then outraced the defense for a touchdown to move the Horned Frogs ahead 14-0. There was another instance where Morris used his legs to convert a fourth down in the redzone, but he took a hard hit as a result and lost his helmet. It was a play that showcased his toughness.

Morris was much better with his accuracy on short to intermediate routes across the middle. Morris’ had great chemistry with Warren Thompson as he reeled eight catches for 92 yards. It wasn’t a flawless performance from Morris. He still needs to make strides with going through his progressions and be willing to attack outside the numbers more, but it’s progress.

Morris had just four incompletions as he finished 26 of 30 for 263 yards and two passing touchdowns. He added six rushes for 63 yards.

Offense still searching for rhythm

Through the first 50 minutes of Saturday’s game, TCU’s offense only managed to score 17 points against a Nicholls team that allowed 38 to Sacramento State the week before. The biggest problem was the lack of a consistent run game as Emani Bailey was held under four yards per carry and the offensive line as a whole struggled to generate a push on the ground.

That forced TCU into tricky in situations where the Horned Frogs just needed to run through the Nicholls defense. At the start of the fourth quarter, TCU faced a 4th-and-2. Instead of going downhill, TCU tried to use a quick pass to Jaylon Robinson behind the line of scrimmage that was easily stuffed.

The starting offense converted just 30% of its third downs and had another costly turnover in the redzone on a mishandled snap by Josh Hoover and there was another touchdown wiped off the board due to a block-in-the-back penalty. The Horned Frogs will need a better cohesive effort next week.

Defensive progression

After allowing 45 points and over 500 yards passing to Colorado, TCU wanted to be much better against an overmatched opponents and correct issues like open field tackling and getting more pressure. So how did the unit do?

TCU’s starting defense held Nicholls to six points, so that was a positive. The open field tackling was also much better. After having 22 missed tackles against Colorado, the Horned Frogs reduced that number to single digits. Of course the weapons of Nicholls don’t compare to Colorado or many of the other teams left on TCU’s schedule, but progress is progress.

As for the pass rush, TCU had success with its initial penetration, but too often Pat McQuaide was able to elude a free rusher and still get the pass off. TCU’s starters only had just one sack on the night from Damonic Williams. After TCU finally put the game away, a number of younger Horned Frogs were able to make plays. Vernon Glover had a diving interception to set up a score for TCU and Chace Biddle recovered a fumble forced by the front seven.

Overall Horned Frogs still need to be better at finishing plays, but overall the defense did what it was supposed to.

Special teams is special again

TCU continued to make impact plays on special teams against the Colonels. The Horned Frogs first touchdown came after TCU blocked a Nicholls State punt that was scooped up and returned for a touchdown by Blake Nowell. TCU also blocked a field goal against Colorado last week.

Later in the first half Alabama transfer JoJo Earle helped set up another touchdown with a dazzling punt return. Earle avoided the initial rush of the punt team, found a crease to his left and raced off for 30 yards to set TCU near midfield. A few plays later Morris would find Jaylon Robinson for a 13-yard touchdown that put the Horned Frogs ahead 21-0 with just over 10 minutes until halftime.

With 31 seconds left in the first half, Morris got the offense within field goal range in just three or four plays leading to Griffin Kell nailing a 57-yard field goal as time expired in the second half. The Horned Frogs were able to make plays in all three phases.

Kell finished with two field goals and five extra points.

Up next

The Horned Frogs travel to Houston on Sept. 16 for their Big 12 opener against the conference newcomer.