On a warm October Saturday afternoon in Fort Worth, the Texas Tech Red Raiders outlasted the TCU Horned Frogs. Literally. The 56-53 final in triple overtime capped off a day that saw TCU come back from a 10-point deficit in the final 2:30 of the game to even the score and force the extra time before falling to Texas Tech in the 55th meeting of the two schools.
The day began for us three hours prior to kickoff as we arrived to find the tailgating scene well underway. While there were fans all around Amon Carter Stadium in preparation for the game, the real party was in Lot 4. Amidst the purple tents were thousands of people roaming around clad in either TCU purple or Texas Tech's red and black. It had the feel of an overcrowded nightclub as every direction we turned led to yet more big groups and it was almost comical to watch the cars arriving and trying to wade through the sea of people to reach their assigned parking spot.
TCU's Homecoming combined with the Red Raiders huge DFW alumni base made this far and away the biggest pre-game action we have encountered this season. Judging by the big crowds at Chimy's and Brownstone in the West 7th corridor on Friday night, the tailgating party was basically a continuation of the TCU-Texas Tech party weekend.
The crowd of 47,894 -- the second largest crowd in Amon Carter Stadium history behind the 50,308 who attended the 2009 victory over Utah -- was treated to a classic offensive battle. Texas Tech quarterback Seth Doege threw seven touchdown passes, including three in overtime. TCU redshirt freshman Trevone Boykin had 332 yards with four TDs and two interceptions as TCU lost back-to-back home games for the first time since 1999.
TCU (5-2) travels to Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater next week for a Big XII contest against Oklahoma State (4-2). The game kicks off at 2:30 and will be televised on FOX Sports Southwest.
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