FORT WORTH, Texas — The post-Gary Patterson era got off to a winning start for TCU, thanks in large part to backup quarterback Chandler Morris.
Morris impressed in his first college start, leading TCU to a surprising 30-28 upset of No. 14 Baylor on Saturday afternoon at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Students stormed the field afterward.
The Horned Frogs (4-5, 2-4 Big 12) didn’t look like a team reeling with three consecutive double-digit losses that brought an early end to Patterson’s 21-year tenure. And Baylor (7-2, 4-2) certainly didn’t look like the team that has played its way into contention for the Big 12 championship.
Morris picked apart a Bears defense that had allowed just 209 yards passing per game going into Saturday. Morris finished with 461 yards on 29-of-41 passing with two touchdowns and zero interceptions. The 461 yards passing by Morris are the fourth most in a single game in program history.
The TCU defense delivered when it mattered most too. With Baylor driving inside TCU territory needing only a field goal to win, linebacker Shadrach Banks came through with a game-sealing interception with one minute left.
TCU entered the game with several familiar faces sidelined, or not on hand. The most noticeable absence was Patterson after he parted ways with the school on Sunday.
Veteran defensive line coach Dan Sharp led the team out of the tunnel. Defensive coordinator Chad Glasgow called the defense from the upstairs box with safeties coach Paul Gonzales signaling on the field. And Patterson’s friend and special assistant, Jerry Kill, served as interim coach for the first time.
From a player standpoint, quarterback Max Duggan (foot) and star running back Zach Evans (toe) did not play. Neither did running back Daimarqua Foster. The Frogs were then dealt a blow in the first half when running back Kendre Miller exited with an injury.
None of it seemed to matter, though, with how Morris and the rest of the team played.
TCU travels to Oklahoma State next Saturday. Kickoff time is to be announced.
