New week, completely different story for TCU. After allowing 50 points to an explosive Baylor offense, TCU looked like TCU again in a 35-19 road win over Air Force. New QB Casey Pachall was excellent again, hitting 20 of 25 passes for 206 yards and 2 TD. He started the game 14-15 as TCU jumped out to a 35-9 lead in the fourth quarter before Air Force scored twice late.
Lead runner Ed Wesley missed the trip, but Matthew Tucker and Waymon James combined for 150 yards rushing and 3 TD in his absence. Luke Shivers and David Porter III also scored on Pachall passes.
TCU was also without key linebacker Tanner Brock, and they still allowed 416 yards of offense to a predictably resilient Falcons offense. Air Force used twelve different rushers for 249 yards, averaging 5.8 yards.
It was the two schools’ last meeting together in the Mountain West. TCU coach Garry Patterson said before the game that he won’t miss having to game plan for Air Force’s unique style. TCU now has what should be manageable matchups with Portland St. and Louisiana Munroe before their DFW showdown with SMU on October 1.