Trevone Boykins three touchdowns lead TCU to win
Trevone Boykin kept the Horned Frogs' bowl hopes alive with his third touchdown run of the game.
He weaved his way into the end zone from a yard out with 38 seconds left to score the game-winning score in the Horned Frogs' 21-17 win.
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He also scored from 18 yards out in the first quarter and three yards in the second. Boykin finished with five rushes for 29 yards and four catches for 24 yards. He scored all three times from the quarterback position, but he never threw the ball.
The game-winning drive almost stalled on a fourth-and-one play, but Aaron Green took a carry through the right side of the line and stumbled for a 22-yard gain.
Before this drive, it appeared that the Frogs' hopes of making a bowl had been dashed on an interception from Casey Pachall. A pass to Brandon Carter on a wide receiver screen went in and out of his hands and right into the chest of an Iowa State defender.
After that play, it felt like the Cyclones had all the momentum. But the TCU defense got a stop then a shanked punt by ISU's All-American punter Kirby Van Der Kamp gave the Frogs good field position.
That punt encapsulated most of the game as special teams play was a huge factor for both teams.
TCU's first score came after a muffed punt by Iowa State. ISU's first score, a 15-yard scramble by Sam Richardson came right after a fake punt pass by Van Der Kamp.
Iowa State also scored on the second half opening kickoff when Devondrick Nealy returned it 98 yards to tie the game at 14 just 14 seconds into the second half.
Iowa State's final score came on a 35-yard field goal by Cole Netten.
ISU had three punt returns on the game for a combined total of (-4) yards. TCU's Ethan Perry was forced to punt 11 times for 408 yards and had a long of 55.
Except for the one drop by Carter that led to an interception, he had a great game after missing last week's contest. He had six catches for 93 yards and made two incredible catches for gains of longer than 30 yards along the sideline.
LaDarius Brown had four catches for 64 yards and Josh Doctson had four snags for 48 yards. Casey Pachall completed 20 of 36 passes for 245 yards, but did have the two interceptions.
On the ground for TCU, Green led the charge with 19 carries for 72 yards. He was forced into a bigger role with Waymon James' suspension and B.J. Catalon's injury.
Linebacker Paul Dawson continued to improve as he made 14 tackles to lead the defense.
Cam White recovered the fumble on the muffed punt in the first quarter. Jon Lewis and Chris Hackett forced fumbles and Kevin White recovered one.
Jason Verrett didn't play due to a shoulder injury and Deante' Gray got the start at cornerback opposite White. Derrick Kindred got the start at free safety. Sam Carter and Jon Koontz both got sacks.
TCU (4-6, 2-5 in the Big 12) still must win its final two games to become bowl eligible and the Horned Frogs play at Kansas State (5-4, 3-3 in the Big 12) 2:30 p.m. on Nov. 16.