he Horned Frogs shut down Texas Tech’s high-flying offense and the Robinson’s offense put up enough point to defeat the Red Raiders, 27-3.

Although games aren’t decided after each team’s first possession, it sure felt that way. The Red Raiders opening drive lasted 21 plays, gaining 70 yards, and TTU head coach Kliff Kingsbury burned his first two timeouts. However, the Red Raiders had to settle for three on a 20-yard field goal by kicker Clayton Hatfield because their passing attack faltered in the red zone. Red Raider quarterback Nic Shimonek completed seven of his first nine passes for 42 yards, seemingly completing five-yard outs and slants every which way, but Patterson’s defense forced Shimonek outside the pocket and broke up a pass in the end zone on a critical down.
Next, it was freshman Shawn Robinson’s debut as TCU’s starting quarterback. He only completed one pass for two yards, but the running game was a different story. The DeSoto product was lethal on the ground, gaining 68 yards on four carries including a 41-yard gain on a first-and-25 after a holding penalty.

Horned Frog wide receiver capped off TCU’s first possession with a KaVontae Turpin two-yard rushing touchdown on a misdirection wide receiver reverse after Robinson faked a handoff up the middle to running back Kyle Hicks.

“It was cool to see him get success right away,” TCU center Austin Schlottmann said. “It was pretty important for us to run the ball because it takes pressure off of him, and him having the ability to run helps.”

Robinson became the first true freshman to start at quarterback in the 17 seasons Gary Patterson has been head coach. The last true freshman to start at quarterback for TCU was Casey Printers Sept. 25, 1999, at Arkansas State, a 24-21 Horned Frogs’ win. Patterson was in his second year as TCU’s defensive coordinator.

He finished the game with 169 total yards and a touchdown pass, and the freshman led TCU in rushing with 113 yards on ten carries.

“We won it with a freshman quarterback, he’s got a lot to learn, but he did a nice job,” TCU head coach Gary Patterson said.

Kicker Cole Bunce lined up for the first field goal attempt of his career from 43 yards out, and he drilled it right up the middle to give TCU a seven-point lead, 10-3, with 1:14 left in the first half.

The 43-yard field goal was the longest make of the season by a Horned Frog, and it occurred on Bunce’s first collegiate attempt.

After Texas Tech opened the game going three-for-five on third down, TCU stopped the Red Raiders on their last seven third downs of the first half.

With 7:11 left in the third quarter, Horned Frogs had the ball on their own 20. A couple plays later, the ball was on the ground after Tech defensive back Justus Parker punched the ball out of Robinson’s hands on an option keeper, and the Red Raiders recovered for the first turnover of the day. Three plays later, the Red Raiders lined up to attempt a 20-yard field and then this happened.

After Hatfield and the Red Raiders were stopped short by the TCU to come away with points on a drive that started at the TCU six, Robinson and TCU would put the game away.

“That was huge,” TCU linebacker Ty Summers said. “We just trying to show Shawn that it’s ok, we’re here for you, and that whenever you fall, we’re going to pick you back up.” Read More