Dalton leads TCU past Oregon State

NCAA Football Betting Lines

09/04/2010 - Arlington, TX (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Andy Dalton threw a touchdown and ran two in, including the go-ahead score in the third quarter, as sixth-ranked TCU downed No. 24 Oregon State, 30-21.

Dalton went 17-for-27 with 175 yards and two interceptions, and also had 15 carries for 64 yards for the Horned Frogs (1-0), who finished last season 12-0 to capture the Mountain West Conference title, but lost to Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl.

Saturday's win was the 30th of Dalton's collegiate career, moving him into first all-time at the school, surpassing legend Sammy Baugh.

Ed Wesley finished the game with 17 carries for 134 yards and a score while Jeremy Kerley caught a touchdown as part of a six-reception, 49-yard effort for TCU.

Ryan Katz went 9-for-25 for 159 yards and two scores for the Beavers (0-1), who posted an 8-5 mark last season, but ended the campaign on a down note after a 44-20 loss to BYU in the Las Vegas Bowl. Jacquizz Rodgers had 18 carries for 75 yards and a score while James Rodgers and Jordan Bishop each caught a touchdown pass.

Holding a seven-point lead, TCU started the second half with the ball and drove into scoring position, but on 3rd-and-1 at the Oregon State 14, Dalton was picked off by Dwight Roberson.

Facing a 3rd-and-2, Oregon State moved the chains on a 22-yard catch by James Rodgers that saw a 15-yard personal foul call on TCU move the ball past midfield. A 15-yard run around the right side by Jacquizz Rodgers set up a 1st-and-goal at the one-yard line and he punched it in on the next play to tie the contest at 21-21 with 5:33 left in the third.

The Horned Frogs, though, responded on their next touch to retake the lead. First down carries of 14 and 10 yards by Wesley got the ball past midfield and Matthew Tucker setup a 1st-and-goal at the 10 with a four-yard run. Three plays later, Dalton kept the ball himself on a four-yard score for a 28-21 lead with under a minute to play in the third.

From there it became a game of punts as each team booted the ball twice before the next score came.

After an Anson Kelton punt for 34 yards was fair caught by James Rodgers, Oregon State had the ball at its own 18-yard line.

On the first play, Katz was calling and audible and tried to get set back up in the shotgun, but the ball was snapped before he was ready and it sailed over his head before he kicked it out of the end zone to give TCU a safety and the ball back with just over four minutes to play.

From there, TCU ate up the rest of the clock to open the season with the win.

Lance Mitchell helped setup the first score of the game as he picked off Dalton and returned the ball 21 yards to the TCU 31. Two plays later, Katz tossed a 30-yard touchdown to James Rodgers to give the Beavers a 7-0 lead a bit over three minutes in.

Dalton and the Horned Frogs, though, responded with an impressive drive to tie the game. The nine-play, 84-yard drive was capped when Dalton took the ball himself six yards into the end zone with 7:19 left in the first.

Oregon State got into scoring position on its next touch, but Justin Kahut's 47-yard field goal attempt went well wide to the left.

TCU was forced to punt on its next possession and the Beavers promptly moved the ball down the field to take the lead. After a 23-yard catch from Jordan Poyer on a fake punt moved the ball to the TCU 34, Katz lofted a perfect pass to an in-stride Bishop, who took it into the end zone for a 14-7 lead just over three minutes into the second.

The Horned Frogs, though, answered after the kickoff to again tie the game. The seven-play, 74 yard drive was capped on a one-yard catch by Kerley from Dalton with 8:39 left in the half.

Later in the second, a poor punt from Johnny Hecker was returned 34 yards by Kerley to give TCU the ball at the Oregon State 23. Four plays later, Wesley picked his way into the end zone inside the right guard from eight yards out to make it a 21-14 lead heading into the break.

Game Notes

This was the first-ever meeting between these schools...TCU totaled 453 yards on the ground and held the ball for close to 39 minutes...Oregon State finished the game with 255 yards...Tucker had 20 carries for 74 yards.