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FORT WORTH, Texas — TCU’s charmed season continued Saturday evening with one other comeback win, this time rallying from an 18-point deficit within the first half to defeat No. 17 Kansas State 38-28 and keep undefeated.
Underneath first-year coach Sonny Dykes, the No. 8 Horned Frogs (7-0, 4-0 in Massive 12), who completed 5-7 final season, joined 2016 Oklahoma as the one groups in Massive 12 historical past to win 4 consecutive video games in opposition to groups ranked within the AP ballot. They’re amongst six undefeated groups within the nation.
After rallying from 17 factors down final week to beat No. 8 Oklahoma State in double extra time, TCU grew to become the third crew up to now 20 seasons to return again from a number of 17-point deficits in opposition to ranked groups in a season.
Dykes would favor the Frogs not dig themselves right into a gap, saying the crew has performed tight within the first half the previous two weeks, one thing he stated he wanted to get fastened. However he stated he has seen a confidence take maintain amongst his crew within the locker room at halftime.
“We simply settled in and began enjoying with extra confidence,” Dykes stated. “I feel that understanding that they may do this, having executed it final week, we walked in at halftime and there was no sense of panic. I feel there was a bit little bit of frustration from everyone as a result of we felt like we actually hadn’t performed a fantastic half of soccer, however I did not sense any type of panic.”
Regardless of shedding beginning quarterback Adrian Martinez, Kansas State scored touchdowns on 4 consecutive possessions within the first half behind Will Howard, who went 13-of-20 for 225 yards and two touchdowns. Howard was briefly knocked out of the sport within the third quarter, and redshirt freshman Jake Rubley threw an interception on his solely passing try.
After giving up 303 yards and 10.1 yards per play within the first half, the TCU protection gave up simply 87 yards and three.8 yards per play within the second half, holding Kansas State scoreless because the Wildcats missed two subject objectives.
“We began to get some stress, and as we received stress, we created some turnovers and the offense did a superb job profiting from it,” Dykes stated.
Max Duggan had one other environment friendly efficiency, finishing 17 of 26 passes for 280 yards and throwing touchdowns to 3 completely different receivers.
“What are you able to say about Max?” Dykes stated. “I imply, it is laborious to place a worth on how priceless he’s to our crew, simply the toughness he brings and that never-say-die mentality and perspective simply permeates the complete program. That unselfishness has type of taken over our crew.”
Kendre Miller, who ran for 153 yards and two touchdowns, stated Dykes’ laid-back persona has helped the crew cope with the deficits and the second-half comebacks.
“He is fully chill, calm,” Miller stated. “I feel it retains everyone secure. If the top coach goes loopy, everyone type of will get to panicking and stuff. He stays chill, everyone’s chill.”
Duggan stated being undefeated hasn’t modified the Horned Frogs’ focus.
“Nobody talked about us earlier than the season,” Duggan stated. “We by no means listened to them. I feel now when folks begin speaking about you, you do the identical factor. You do not take heed to them.”
Dykes stated he has seen that method take maintain among the many crew.
“I’ve type of been ready to start out listening to some speak about … convention standings or bowl video games or rankings, and I simply have not heard it ever with this group,” Dykes stated. “I imply, by no means as soon as. And that sounds absurd. I feel the blokes simply have adopted that mentality of, ‘Hey, let’s simply present up on Tuesday and have a superb Tuesday follow.’ I feel these guys type of purchase into the entire thing.”
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