The boos started at halftime.
With Utah struggling, the unhappy jeers from Utah fans filled Rice-Eccles Stadium.
But by the end of the night, the Utes and their fans exited quietly, losers for a third consecutive week.
This time it was a 13-7 defeat to the Texas Christian Horned Frogs and another dismal performance from the Utes and offensive coordinator Andy Ludwig.
The Utes are now 4-3 and 1-3 in Big 12 Conference play.
Freshman quarterback Isaac Wilson, Utah’s starter with senior Cam Rising done for the season, finished 17 of 33 — good for 199 yards, a touchdown and an interception. The Utes rushed for just 68 yards on 26 carries, a meager 2.6-yard average.
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Horned Frogs wide receiver Savion Williams (3) eludes the Utah Utes as they host TCU, NCAA football in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024.
TCU quarterback Josh Hoover finished 22 of 41 for 263 yards. The QB also had a rushing touchdown.
At halftime, TCU held a 10-0 thanks to Hoover’s touchdown run and a field goal. The Utes punted on their first seven drives.
With 6:26 remaining in the third quarter, Wilson and the Utes finally got on the board with a 71-yard touchdown pass to Money Parks. The score shrunk TCU’s lead to a 13-7 margin.
The Utes might’ve had one last chance to grab victory. But with TCU facing a fourth-and-1 with 2:17 on the clock, Utah couldn’t keep running back Savion Williams from picking up the first down that put the game away for good.
Williams had 72 yards on seven carries.
Next, the Utes will take on Houston (2-5, 1-2) on Saturday, Oct. 26 on the road in Texas.
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) TCU Horned Frogs quarterback Josh Hoover (10) is pressured by Utah Utes defensive end Logan Fano (0) as the Utah Utes host the TCU Horned Frogs, NCAA football in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024.
