Small Posts Career Day, TCU Defeats Arkansas State, 31-7

Saturday, September 19

Fort Worth, Texas

7 p.m.

TCU

2-1 , 0-0

Arkansas State

1-2 , 0-0

Team	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Final F
Arkansas St.	0	7	0	0	7
TCU	7	7	7	10	31

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Small Posts Career Day, TCU Defeats Arkansas State, 31-7

9/19/2026 11:23:00 PM | Football

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TCU takes final nonconference game of the season

FORT WORTH – In the final matchup before Big 12 play, TCU pulled away in the second half en route to a 31-7 win in front of a soldout crowd at Amon G. Carter Stadium on Saturday night.

Jaden Craig was consistent once again, going 21-of-29 for 337 yards and three scores. His favorite target was Ed Small, who had a career-high 164 yards and a score. Kari Ashley also had a productive day, getting 87 yards on five receptions.

On the ground, Jeremy Payne led the way with 86 yards on 24 carries. Joe Pitchford added 26 rushing yards.

The Horned Frogs played defense by committee on Saturday, with Jamel Johnson, Hudson Hooper and Ansel Din-Mbuh all posting seven tackles.

After stopping the Red Wolves on their first possession, TCU marched right down the field to score on its opening possession once again to take a 7-0 lead.

From there, the offenses became stagnant, and the scoreboard wouldn't see action until late in the second quarter when a couple of big plays to Small extended the home-team lead to two touchdowns.

Arkansas State's offense was able to make some noise for the first time all game right after the two-minute warning, utilizing a pair of big pass plays to make the score 14-7 at the half.

Following a goal line stand, TCU embarked on a 99-yard drive that ate up eight minutes of game time to extend the lead back up to two scores.

Following the score, TCU was able to seize control of the game and run out the clock while adding some scores.

NOTING THE GAME

TCU has scored in 423 consecutive games, the second-longest streak in NCAA history behind Florida (475) … A 99-yard scoring drive in the third quarter is the first 99-yard TD drive for the Frogs since they did so against Kansas in 2021 … TCU has allowed just 29 points through three games, the lowest opponent point total in the first three games since 2014 (21 points) … TCU tight ends have accounted for five of the seven passing touchdowns so far this season … John Hoyet Chance averaged 52.7 yards per punt, the second-highest punting average by a Frog since Joey Biasatti did so in 2001 (52.8; 5-264).

UP NEXT

TCU opens conference play on the road at UCF on Saturday, September 26, at 2:30 p.m. CT on FS1.