Carroll Pick-6, Craig Late Drive Seal TCU 22-16 Win Over Kansas

Turning Point in the Third

The decisive moment arrived in the third quarter when TCU’s Max Carroll returned an interception 60 yards for a touchdown. The play, followed by a successful kick by Kyle Lemmermann, flipped the score in favor of the home team and set the stage for a comeback.

While Kansas had built a lead earlier in the game, this defensive stop and return changed the dynamic of the contest at Amon G. Carter Stadium.

Scoring Sequence

Kansas struck first in the opening period, with Martin Connington booting a 34-yard field goal to give the Jayhawks a 3-0 lead. The home team remained scoreless in the first half. In the second quarter, Connington extended the Kansas advantage with a 42-yard field goal, making it 6-0.

Kansas then added another three points through a 29-yard pass from Cole Ballard to Cam Pickett, pushing their lead to 13-0. TCU responded in the third quarter with the Carroll interception return, tying the game at 13-13 after the extra point.

TCU then took its first lead of the day on a 28-yard rushing touchdown by Ace Theus, with the extra point kick again handled by Lemmermann. This put the Horned Frogs ahead 14-13.

Fourth Quarter Finish

Kansas retook the lead late in the fourth quarter when Connington connected on a 27-yard field goal, making the score 16-14. However, TCU answered with a decisive play. Jaden Craig rushed for a 17-yard touchdown, and the team successfully converted a two-point play, with Craig passing to Jordan Dwyer. This sequence gave TCU the 22-16 lead with time remaining, securing the victory.

Performance Highlights

For TCU, Jaden Craig was a dual threat, completing 13 of 29 passes for 141 yards while also rushing for 87 yards on 15 carries and scoring a touchdown. Kari Ashley contributed 50 receiving yards on three catches. For Kansas, Cole Ballard threw for 285 yards on 20 of 35 attempts, with one touchdown pass and one interception.

Keaton Kubecka rushed for 58 yards on three carries, and Nahzae Cox led the receiving corps with 145 yards on five catches. The game was played before a crowd of 32,549 on Saturday, October 31, 2026. TCU improved to 4-4, while Kansas fell to 3-5.

Sources

ESPN