Provo, Utah – Cory Rodgers scored on a 3-yard run in overtime, and after the play was upheld by replay, Jeff Manfredini kicked the game-winning extra point to give TCU a 51-50 victory over Brigham Young on Saturday.
The Cougars took a 50-44 lead in OT when John Beck threw a 25-yard touchdown pass to Todd Watkins. But Justin Luettgerodt’s snap on the extra point bounced and the Frogs wrapped up kicker Jared McLaughlin to keep BYU’s lead to just six.
It proved costly after Rodgers scored on a play that needed a second look by officials.
Rodgers was stripped of the ball as he was crossing the goal line, but replays were inconclusive as to whether he scored before fumbling and the call stood. Manfredini, who also had three field goals, ended the thriller and gave the Horned Frogs a second straight overtime victory.
BYU fans booed the call as the Frogs celebrated their way to the locker room and the Cougars left the field in stunned silence.
TCU (3-1, 2-0 Mountain West) had rallied from a 41-29 deficit to take a 44-41 lead with 1:25 remaining, then BYU (1-2, 0-1) answered with a late drive and McLaughlin’s 39-yard field goal to force overtime as time expired.
Beck finished with career bests in passing yards (557) and touchdowns (five), completing 30-of-51 passes. Watkins caught three touchdown passes and Zac Collie had the other two for BYU.
Jeff Ballard replaced TCU starting quarterback Tye Gunn late in the third quarter and led the Frogs to a win in their first MWC road game. Ballard was 8-for-12 for 150 yards and two touchdowns, hitting Aaron Brown for a 36-yard score to give TCU the lead with 1:25 remaining.
Rodgers had two rushing touchdowns, a 100-yard kickoff return in the first quarter after the Frogs fell behind 14-0, and caught nine passes for 137 yards and another TD.
The Frogs were coming off a 23-20 win overtime win against Utah on Sept. 15 on another disputed play, ending the Utes’ 18-game winning streak in TCU’s Mountain West debut. The Frogs allowed just 317 yards in that game, but could not contain the Cougars 10 days later.
BYU outgained TCU 517-348, but had three turnovers.
