1. Best Served Cold

Last year, Iowa State ended TCU’s hopes of a perfect season in Ames with a 14-7 victory over Kenny Hill and the Horned Frogs. The same defense and turnovers that gave the Cyclones victory in 2017 characterized TCU’s success Saturday night at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Behind a raucous crowd, the stingy Gary Patterson crew held Iowa State to 198 total yards, raising the team’s record to 44-0 under Patterson when allowing less than 200 yards. Defensive highlights included standout DB play by Jeff Gladney and a huge sack by Innis Gaines that resulted in a Ben Banogu touchdown. Gaines now has a team-high 6.5 tackles for loss this season. A gutsy performance by the Frogs on Saturday must’ve felt especially sweet after a tough loss last season.

2. Road to Ruin

Ben Banogu (#15) defends a play during the Sept. 29 game against Iowa State. TCU won 17-14. Photo by Glen E. Ellman

TCU committed three turnovers on Saturday, leading to one direct Iowa State touchdown and taking who-knows-how-many points away from the Frogs’ final tally. Until Ben “Wheels” Banogu’s scoop-and-score in the third quarter, TCU was on a streak of giving away eight turnovers without causing a single one. But the fumble return — the second touchdown of Banogu’s career — shifted the momentum and proved to be the difference in the game. Take note, TCU Football, because giving more than you are taking is not a prime formula for winning games. In the last three contests, TCU has committed 10 turnovers and caused one. On the season, the ledger stands at 12 given and five taken, but the only game in which the Frogs won the turnover margin was against Southern, a team now 2-3 while batting in the SWAC West.

3. Backpedaling

With quarterback Shawn Robinson out with an injury on the final drive, Sewo Olonilua took two snaps from the wildcat formation. The junior had a career-high 16 carries. Photo by Glen E. Ellman

Against Iowa State, a total of nine offensive plays resulted in negative yardage. The cumulative loss from these plays was 30 yards, which equals a ratio of one yard backwards for every ten yards ahead. The rules of football are complex, but except for in exceptional circumstances, the goal is to move the ball forward. The Frogs were out-rushed by Iowa State, 119-117, and only gained 2.5 yards per carry. It’s difficult to diagnose the cause, but the holes aren’t there, and a lot of the lateral running maneuvers just don’t do the trick. Perhaps the game plan should be to take it straight up the middle and hope for the best. Darius Anderson and Sewo Olonilua are two of the best backs in the conference. If those two can plow ahead, perhaps they can make their own magic … and help the passing game by forcing opposing defenses to commit resources to defending the middle.

4. Young Stars Continue to Shine

Taye Barber’s four receptions for 40 yards marked his second-straight game with a season and career high in catches. The true freshman had three last week at Texas. Photo by Glen E. Ellman

TCU’s recent recruiting success continues to pan out — especially on the offensive side. Freshman Taye Barber was the young star on Saturday, catching four passes for 40 yards and a touchdown to tie the game in the second quarter. It seemed Shawn Robinson kept looking for Barber when the Frogs needed a big gain. Once again Jalen Reagor was the leading pass-catcher for TCU, further solidifying his role as the Horned Frogs number-one option on offense. Three of Reagor’s six catches were for a first down, raising his total catches on the season to 29 — 20 of which are for first downs or touchdowns. Outside of a fourth quarter pick, Robinson played a solid game, passing at crisp 72 percent clip.

5. Rough Day at the Office

Though the Frogs badly needed to walk away with a win, having not lost three in a row in the entire Gary Patterson tenure, the step to 3-2 came at a steep cost. A somber mood mixed with the crowd’s jubilation as quarterback Shawn Robinson was helped off the field — and straight to the locker room — after a fourth-quarter hit to his side. The true sophomore has walked capably under the bright lights on the big stage so far this season, and no one wants to see him lose the reins to the offense he was finding success leading. To add insult to the injuries, a vicious hit to KaVontae Turpin’s noggin resulted in a spate of stitches and his exit from a contest in which his talents were definitely needed. Injuries are part of the game, sure, but Football Gods, have mercy!

5 Tweets that Told the Tale

Iowa State had 53 yards in the first quarter. It’s had 51 yards since.

— Billy Wessels (@BillyWessels) September 30, 2018

Ty Summers' season-high 9⃣ tackles last night moved him into third place on the @TCUCoachP Era career tackles list, behind linebacker legend Travin Howard and @TCULettermen Hall of Famer Jason Phillips pic.twitter.com/3eR5aGCy9f

— TCU Football (@TCUFootball) September 30, 2018

Ya boy got wheels! 🏃🏾‍♂️💨 pic.twitter.com/2W4ZFSySDR

— Ben Banogu (@benbanogu) September 30, 2018

Fourth kneepad violation called, but targeting? Nah. Gotta love the @Big12Conference .

— Geoffrey Craig (@Geoffrey_Craig) September 30, 2018

Way to go, 46! You were in control at impact on the game winner – keep it going. https://t.co/JOtdsk9AVw

— John Denton (@johndentonTCU) September 30, 2018