No. 6 TCU Tramples No. 24 Oregon State With Ground Game, 30-21

TCU wanted to prove that it had what it takes to contend for a national championship. The Horned Frogs' 30-21 win over Oregon State wasn't the blowout some expected, and proved more about TCU's toughness than anything.

But the TCU ground game that might be championship-caliber.

Playing against a team that had the 25th-ranked rush defense in 2009, the Horned Frogs racked up 280 yards on the ground on 54 carries, with Ed Wesley tallying 133 rushing yards and Matthew Tucker and Andy Dalton contributing 77 and 64, respectively.

It was that ground game that kept the chains moving (TCU went 11-for-17 on third down) and the ball out of Oregon State's hands (TCU had it for 38:40), and helping slow the Beavers' electric Rodgers brothers by keeping them on the sidelines. Jacquizz Rodgers mustered just 74 yards on the ground, but his elder brother James had a fantastic night, gaining 226 yards on receptions and returns.

This was also Dalton's 30th win as TCU's quarterback, the most in school history.

You may have heard of the guy he just passed: NFL Hall of Famer Sammy Baugh.

Ryan Katz and Oregon State had the ball and a chance to tie TCU with a full-field drive. Instead, miscommunication may have put the game out of reach for the Beavers.

Katz, trying to change the play at the line, never got set in the shotgun, and led a high snap go by his head. As it bounced behind him and near the Oregon State goal line, Katz kicked it out of the back of the end zone for a safety, giving TCU a 30-21 lead.

With that lead, the ball, and a fearsome ground game that has churned out almost 250 rushing yards, TCU's only worry at the end of this game should be holding on to the ball.

The see-saw battle in Dallas continues.

After Oregon State used James Rodgers to move the ball on TCU through the air, the Horned Frogs responded with a 12-play, 71-yard scoring drive that featured just two passes. Andy Dalton's four-yard touchdown run, his second of the night, made the score 28-21 in TCU's favor.

Oregon State has since gotten a first down and will be near midfield to start the fourth quarter.

After Oregon State picked off an Andy Dalton pass in the red zone, the Rodgers brothers went to work.

On an eight-play, 87-yard scoring drive, James and Jacquizz Rodgers combined for 72 yards, and the other 15 came on a personal foul penalty. They split the load a bit unfairly: James caught two passes for 47 yards and sprung Jacquizz for a 15-yard gain to the TCU 1, but Jacquizz got the glory on a one-yard touchdown run that tied the game at 21-all

Actually, James has been the better Rodgers family member all night: he has 99 receiving yards and 96 yards on kick returns, while Jacquizz has just 48 yards on the ground.

TCU has taken its first lead of tonight's showdown in Big D. Jeremy Kerley, returner extraordinaire, caught an Oregon State punt on the fly and zipped up the sideline to return it to deep within Beaver territory.

Four plays later, Ed Wesley plunged into the end zone, and after a PAT, TCU had a 21-14 lead. Oregon State, given less than a minute to score, opted to run the clock out and head into halftime down seven. The Beavers will kick off to start the second half.