LIU Falls to FBS Powerhouse TCU, 45-0
Long Island University faced a tough challenge on the road against TCU, falling 45-0 in a one-sided affair. LIU struggled to get their offense going, managing just 127 total yards, while the Horned Frogs imposed their will throughout the game, amassing 425 yards and dominating on both sides of the ball.
TCU opened the scoring with a 48-yard field goal by Kyle Lemmermann early in the first quarter. After a turnover set them up with a short field, the Horned Frogs extended the lead with a 1-yard touchdown run by Cam Cook, giving them a 10-0 lead. From there, TCU didn't look back. Early in the second quarter, Josh Hoover connected with JoJo Earle for a 5-yard touchdown pass to push the lead to 17-0. Another rushing touchdown by Dominique Johnson extended the lead to 24-0, and just before halftime, Cook found the end zone again with a 12-yard run to make it 31-0.
The Sharks continued to struggle in the second half, and TCU showed no signs of letting up. Cook completed his third touchdown of the game with a 5-yard run early in the third quarter. In the fourth, Hoover threw his second touchdown pass, hitting Chase Curtis for an 18-yard score to cap off an 11-play drive and close the game at 45-0.
LIU's offense couldn’t find any rhythm, accumulating just 127 total yards and converting only 5 of 17 third downs. The Sharks managed just 68 yards through the air, as quarterback play struggled against TCU’s defense. On the ground, LIU rushed 34 times for only 59 yards, averaging 1.7 yards per carry. The Sharks' lone turnover came on an interception.
The Horned Frogs controlled the game from start to finish, gaining 425 total yards. Backup quarterback Josh Hoover completed 24 of 30 passes for 298 yards and two touchdowns, while Cam Cook led the rushing attack with three touchdowns on the ground. TCU also capitalized on good field position throughout the game, and their defense kept the Sharks in check.
After starting the season 0-2, including a close loss to UAlbany in their opener, LIU will return home to face Lehigh on September 14. The Sharks will need to regroup and refocus as they seek their first win of the season. Meanwhile, TCU improved to 2-0 and will look to continue their strong start.
This was a tough test for LIU against an FBS powerhouse, and they’ll hope to learn from this experience as they continue their non-conference schedule.
