FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — Josh Hoover threw for 344 yards and his third touchdown pass was a go-ahead 84-yarder to Eric McAlister with 5:10 left as TCU rallied from a 17-point deficit after halftime to beat Texas Tech 35-34 on Saturday. Texas Tech was driving to set up a potential game-winning field goal when true freshman quarterback Will Hammond fumbled at the TCU 27 on a third-down carry with 1:38 left. Hammond, who had taken over for injured starter Behren Morton, was trying to get down in the middle of the field when he took a crushing hit from Hakeem Ajijolaiya.
Hoover completed 21 of 32 passes and overcame three turnovers of his own, a fumble when being sacked and two interceptions, as the Horned Frogs (5-3, 3-2 Big 12) won consecutive conference games for the first time since their undefeated 2022 regular season. He also threw an 8-yard TD to tight end DJ Rodgers in the fourth quarter. The Red Raiders (5-3, 3-2) were up 31-14 after Hammond threw a touchdown and ran for another one on the first two drives after halftime.
Morton didn't return because of a left shoulder injury after being sacked on a third-down play with 36 seconds left in the first half. TCU had a 14-3 lead in the first quarter after receiver Savion Williams turned a direct snap into a 35-yard touchdown run and had a 75-yard catch-and-run for another score. The senior and former prep quarterback spun around a defender after crossing the line of scrimmage on the TD run, and came out of the backfield to .