TCU routs BYU behind Josh Hoover’s first start, 4 TDs

Redshirt freshman Josh Hoover threw for 439 yards and four touchdowns in his first career start as TCU destroyed visiting BYU 44-11 in a Big 12 matchup in Fort Worth, Texas, on Saturday afternoon.

Hoover, taking over for the injured Chandler Morris, spread his touchdowns among four receivers and completed throws to 13 players overall. He went 37-of-58 passing with two interceptions after entering the game 14 of 23 for 171 yards in parts of five games previously.

JP Richardson made six catches for 104 yards and one score for TCU (4-3, 2-2 Big 12).

BYU quarterback Kedon Slovis managed only 152 yards passing and was intercepted once. The Cougars (4-2, 1-2) trailed 14-0 less than five minutes into the game and never threatened. They had only 27 total yards in the first quarter and were outgained 584-243 overall.

Keelan Marion rushed 3 yards for a touchdown and Chase Roberts caught the 2-point conversion for BYU with 3:15 left in the first half, but it came after TCU had built a 24-0 lead. The Horned Frogs then answered the Cougars' score with an 81-yard march, capped by Hoover's 7-yard pass play to Savion Williams with 40 seconds left for a 31-8 lead.

TCU added a touchdown on the first possession of the third quarter via a 14-yard pass to Warren Thompson, and the rout was on at 38-8.

BYU entered the game after a bye week, but its troubles started on the third play from scrimmage. Slovis threw an interception over the middle to Millard Bradford, who took it back 35 yards for a touchdown.

When the Cougars went three-and-out, the Horned Frogs' offense took over. They needed only seven plays to go 68 yards, the last a 42-yard touchdown reception as Richardson bounced off a pair of would-be tacklers en route to the end zone.

TCU then added a field goal by Griffin Kell and a 7-yard touchdown pass to Jared Wiley to widen the lead to 24-0.

BYU's Will Ferrin and Kell traded field goals in the third quarter, and Kell kicked his longest of the day, a 47-yarder, with 6:18 left in the game.