Cincinnati, OH — TCU capitalized on a dominant first-half performance to secure a 20-13 victory over Cincinnati on a snowy Saturday night at Nippert Stadium. The Horned Frogs’ quick 20-point start exposed the Bearcats’ defensive struggles, setting the stage for a hard-fought win.
Already assured of a bowl appearance, TCU (8-4, 6-3 Big 12) closed out the regular season on a high note with three consecutive victories and wins in five of their last six games.
“I’m incredibly proud of how our team finished the season,” said TCU head coach Sonny Dykes. “Their resilience and toughness, especially dealing with injuries and other challenges, really stood out.”
In stark contrast, Cincinnati (5-7, 3-5) ended the season on a disappointing note with five straight losses, missing out on bowl eligibility for the second consecutive year. In their second season under head coach Scott Satterfield and as members of the Big 12, the Bearcats once again fell short of postseason play.
Turnovers proved costly for Cincinnati, particularly on a snow-laden field. The Bearcats committed three turnovers, including two critical first-half fumbles that gave TCU favorable field position. The Horned Frogs capitalized on these mistakes, scoring 10 points off the turnovers.
“Tonight was extremely disappointing,” said Satterfield. “Mistakes on special teams cost us early, and it affected our confidence for the rest of the game. We put our defense in difficult positions, and it showed.”
Picking Apart the Defense
TCU quarterback Josh Hoover thrived against Cincinnati’s zone coverage, exploiting gaps in their defense. Hoover completed 18 of 35 passes for 212 yards, finishing with a 96.6 passer rating. Despite the frigid, snowy conditions, Hoover remained composed throughout the game.
“I’m from Texas, so I haven’t seen much snow,” Hoover said. “But I’ll take snow over rain any day. The ball didn’t get too slippery, and I wasn’t cold at all.”
Hoover’s performance capped a strong regular season in which he threw for 3,697 yards, including six 300-yard games, and 23 touchdown passes.
Record-Breaking Moment
On a brighter note for Cincinnati, tight end Joe Royer set a new program record for single-season receptions by a tight end. A four-yard catch early in the third quarter marked his 46th reception of the year, surpassing the previous record of 45 set by Travis Kelce in 2012. Royer, a transfer from Ohio State, has been one of the few bright spots in an otherwise challenging season for the Bearcats.
The game marked the end of two contrasting regular seasons, with TCU riding momentum into bowl season while Cincinnati faces another offseason of rebuilding.
