Josh Hoover leads TCU to thrilling win over Stanford in opener

In a thrilling season opener on Friday night in Stanford, California, TCU triumphed over Stanford with a score of 34-27. Josh Hoover played a pivotal role, throwing for 353 yards and securing the game-winning touchdown with just over three minutes remaining. After Stanford briefly took the lead in the fourth quarter, Hoover led a crucial 74-yard drive, completing all six of his passes, culminating in a touchdown pass to Jack Bech. This drive shifted the momentum back to TCU, allowing them to regain control of the game. Hoover's performance was complemented by a strong offensive showing from TCU, which included a touchdown on the opening drive and a 1-yard rushing touchdown from Hoover himself in the third quarter. The Horned Frogs demonstrated resilience, responding effectively to Stanford's challenges throughout the game. Cam Cook's 7-yard touchdown run in the final minutes sealed the victory for TCU, marking a significant start to their season. On the other hand, Stanford struggled to maintain their lead, with their quarterback Ashton Daniels throwing an incomplete pass on a critical fourth down late in the game. Despite a solid performance that included 163 passing yards and a touchdown, the Cardinal could not capitalize on their opportunities. This loss extended Stanford's home losing streak to ten games, raising concerns about their performance under second-year coach Troy Taylor. Looking ahead, TCU will host Long Island University in their next matchup, while Stanford will face Cal Poly. Both teams will need to address their shortcomings to improve their standings as the season progresses.