FORT WORTH, Texas – Josh Hoover threw for 344 yards and his third touchdown pass was an 84-yarder to Eric McAlister with 5:10 left as TCU rallied from a 17-point deficit after halftime and Texas Tech 35 defeated -34 on Saturday.

Texas Tech was looking for a potential game-winning field goal when true freshman quarterback Will Hammond fumbled on a third-down carry at the TCU 27 with 1:38 left. Hammond, filling in for injured starter Behren Morton, was trying to get to the middle of the field when he took a crushing hit from 320-pound nose tackle Hakeem Ajijolaiya.

Hoover completed 21 of 32 passes and overcame three of his own turnovers, a sack fumble 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 games Season. He also threw an 8-yard touchdown to tight end DJ Rodgers in the fourth quarter, set up by a 52-yard pass to Jack Bech at the 14th minute.

The Red Raiders (5-3, 3-2) led 31-14 after Hammond threw a touchdown and went for another on the first two drives after halftime. Morton did not return because of a left shoulder injury after being sacked on a third play with 36 seconds left in the first half.

X-rays were inconclusive and trainer Joey McGuire suggested afterwards that it could be a collarbone injury. Morton was wearing a sling and was scheduled to be re-evaluated when the team got home.

TCU had a 14-3 lead in the first quarter after receiver Savion Williams turned a straight snap into a 35-yard touchdown run and a 75-yard catch-and-run for another score. The senior and former prep quarterback pivoted around a defender after crossing the line of scrimmage on the TD run and came out of the backfield to intercept Hoover’s pass near midfield before outrunning the defenders into the end zone.

Williams had 11 carries for 72 yards and caught three passes for 81 yards.

Big 12 rushing leader Tahj Brooks, who ran 30 times for 121 yards, place-kicker Reese Burkhardt and Hammond all had 4-yard TD runs for the Red Raiders. Burkhardt’s run went wide on a fake field goal when punter Jack Burgess threw the ball over his shoulder, and was set up by Harvey Dyson’s sack and fumble recovery.

Brooks has rushed for at least 95 yards in 18 consecutive games, including 15 with at least 100 yards. The only FBS player since 1996 with a longer streak was 19 in a row by Minnesota’s Mohamed Ibrahim from 2020-22.

The takeaway food

Texas Tech has now lost two straight games in the Big 12 after winning the first three in one-score games. Burkhardt scored a touchdown but went wide on a 50-yard field goal attempt in the second quarter after Hoover’s first interception. … Hammond was 10 of 15 passing for 121 yards after Morton completed 13 of 22 passes for 137 yards.

TCU celebrated a nice comeback, but had to deal with further turnovers. The Horned Frogs have had 16 turnovers (eight fumbles, eight interceptions), which have led to 58 points for opponents in the last four games.

Next

Texas Tech plays No. 10 Iowa State (7-0, 4-0), which has an open date this weekend, on Saturday.

TCU drives about 100 miles down Interstate 35 to play at Baylor next Saturday night.

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