HOUSTON — Josh Hoover threw for 293 yards and two touchdowns and TCU took advantage of No. 25 Houston’s missed field goal in the final minute to beat the Cougars 17-14 on Saturday.
After stopping TCU (7-4, 4-4 Big 12) on the 5 with just under two minutes remaining, Houston (8-3, 5-3) drove to the TCU 20 and had a chance to tie it, but Ethan Sanchez’s 38-yard attempt with 46 seconds remaining went wide left.
Nate McCashland hit a 29-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter to give TCU a three-point lead.
Hoover completed 24 of 33 passes, throwing scoring passes of 33 yards to Eric McAlister and 17 yards to Jordan Dwyer in the first quarter as TCU built a 14-0 lead.
Jeremy Payne ran for 103 yards. Joseph Manjack IV caught nine passes for 95 yards, and McAlister had four receptions for 79 yards.
Conner Weigman was 15 of 29 for 161 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for 114 yards for Houston. Dean Connors ran for 75 yards and caught five passes for 47 yards and a touchdown, and Amare Thomas had five receptions for 72 yards and a score.
The Takeaway
TCU: The Horned Frogs overcame four turnovers and seven penalties for 70 yards. TCU held Houston to 4 of 17 on third downs.
Houston quarterback Conner Weigman, right, tries to avoid the tackle of TCU linebacker Kaleb Elarms-Orr during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025, in Houston. Credit: AP/Eric Christian Smith
Houston: The Cougars, who were No. 23 in the CFP rankings this week, will drop out of the rankings following the loss. Houston’s slim chances of making the Big 12 Championship game ended with the loss.
Up next
TCU: Hosts Cincinnati on Saturday in its regular-season finale.
Houston: At Baylor on Saturday in its regular-season finale.