LUBBOCK, Texas _ It had its "wow" moments and "ouch" moments, but the first start of Shawn Robinson's TCU career turned out to be a winner.
The freshman started in place of sidelined Kenny Hill and ran for 84 yards and threw a touchdown pass to lead the 11th-ranked Horned Frogs to a 27-3 victory against Texas Tech on Saturday at Jones AT&T Stadium.
Robinson became the first true freshman to start for TCU under head coach Gary Patterson. The last time true freshman did so at TCU was Casey Printers on Sept. 25, 1999, in a 24-21 victory against Arkansas State when Patterson was in his second year as defensive coordinator.
Jeff Gladney's pick-six in the fourth quarter wrapped up the victory for the Frogs (9-2, 6-2), who stayed in line for a berth in the Big 12 championship game in two weeks. A victory on Friday against Baylor all but assures TCU of a chance to play for its first outright Big 12 title.
TCU was without Hill, who did not make the trip, plus linebackers Travin Howard and Montrel Wilson, safety Niko Small and kicker Jonathan Song, who were considered questionable at the start of the week and then ruled out on Thursday. Running back Darius Anderson was ruled out for the season on Tuesday following a leg injury at Oklahoma.
Robinson survived some harrowing moments. His first pass was nearly intercepted deep in TCU territory. He had the ball punched out of his arms on an option keeper in the third quarter, but the Red Raiders (5-6, 2-6) missed a short field goal.
But the young four-star quarterback also showed his game-breaking potential.
Robinson broke off a 41-yard run on first-and-25 to key the Frogs' opening drive, which ended in KaVontae Turpin's 2-yard run for a 7-3 lead on the first play of the second quarter.
Robinson's 12-yard touchdown pass to Jalen Reagor in the third quarter put the Frogs ahead, 17-3.
Cole Bunce, handling placekicking duties for the first time, made field goals of 43 and 28 yards, his first at TCU.
Co-offensive coordinator Sonny Cumbie continued to rely on Robinson's legs and the running backs around him. Kyle Hicks rushed 22 times for 81 yards.
Gladney's 93-yard interception return for a touchdown in the fourth quarter put the game out of the reach for the Frogs, giving them a 27-3 lead with 4:39 left.
