College Football

Gary Patterson trying not to talk about refs after bizarre TCU-Texas Tech game

TCU’s head coach stays mum after a bizarre loss in Lubbock.

Sep 13, 2013, 12:39 PM UTC

Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Spo

No. 24 TCU lost their first conference game of the season in bizarre fashion Thursday night as a number of curious officiating calls and mental miscues on both sides ended in a 20-10 Texas Tech victory in Lubbock.

Head coach Gary Patterson had every right to be upset with the calls his team did (and did not) receive, but elected not to comment after the game.

TCU's Gary Patterson on officiating: "I can't talk about the officiating, but I will watch it. I'm not happy."
— Stefan Stevenson (@FollowtheFrogs) September 13, 2013

The Horned Frogs struggled offensively all night, but seemed to finally get their groove back early in the fourth quarter when Brandon Carter returned a punt for a touchdown ... only to get it called back for an improper fair catch.

TCU tied the game at 10 apiece later in the quarter on a 17-yard B.J. Catalon run, but Texas Tech came right back as true freshman quarterback Davis Webb -- entering the game for an injured Baker Mayfield -- threw a 19-yard strike to Bradley Marquez for the score and the lead.

The Horned Frogs were forced to punt on the next possession, and seemed to finally get a break when the kick deflected off a Red Raider, allowing TCU to pounce on it and hopefully gain possession. A curious call followed, as the referees called kick-catch interference, a 15-yard penalty that made sure the Red Raiders had the ball.

Later in Texas Tech’s drive, it appeared the Red Raiders fumbled the ball ... but the runner was called down on contact.

Kliff Kingsbury’s squad quickly ran a second play, but the officials nullified it to review the first one. They upheld the ruling, allowing the second play to stand and the Red Raiders kicked a field goal for the final 20-10 margin.

TCU was called for 13 total penalties that totaled 115 yards, with at least three taking back what would have been key plays. Texas Tech was penalized 10 times for 90 yards.

For his part, Tech head coach Kingsbury seemed a little confused by what had taken place as well, saying “I don’t know what kind type of game that was, but we won it and we’ll take it.”