FORT WORTH, TEXAS — If TCU is the nation’s No. 12-ranked team, Colorado State doesn’t want to see No. 11.
For the third consecutive week, CSU squandered a lead. Today, the Rams were in front by two field goals, not two touchdowns. And this time the Rams had no illusions of keeping it close in a 44-6 romp by the Horned Frogs.
The loss left CSU with a four-game losing streak but looking toward the easy part of the Mountain West Conference schedule, starting with San Diego State on Saturday at home. TCU’s dominance had the collective MWC exhaling another week as the undefeated Frogs keep the dream alive for a BCS bowl appearance and a share of a BCS paycheck.
The Frogs broke it open 24-6 on its first possession of the third quarter. Andy Dalton, on third-and-5 from the CSU 47, found Curtis Clay so open around the 25 that only a striped shirt was in the way.
Dalton went to tailback Ed Wesley over the middle on TCU’s next drive for a 39-yard scoring connection and a 31-6 lead. Then the Frogs dragged out a possession before Antoine Hicks ran wide for a 3-yard score with 2:25 left in the third quarter.
CSU jumped to a surprising 6-0 lead on Ben DeLine field goals of 31 and a career-long 47 yards. The Rams went 53 yards on 10 plays on their first drive before stalling at the 14.
Mychal Sisson forced a Wesley fumble and Elijah-Blu Smith, probably CSU’s most consistent defensive playmaker for the season, returned it 28 yards to the TCU 28. Several Horned Frogs froze, as if the play had been called dead.
Three plays and a holding penalty had CSU stuck on the 30 with fourth-and-11. DeLine put CSU ahead 6-0 with 5:15 remaining in the first quarter.
But the Frogs took the lead for good with 3:08 left in the first half on the game’s first touchdown. A pass interference call on CSU cornerback Gerard Thomas gave TCU the ball on the CSU 2. Joseph Turner ran up the middle for a 10-6 lead.
Natalie Meisler: 303-954-1295 or nmeisler@denverpost.com
