FORT WORTH - TCU didn't need an offensive explosion to beat Baylor on Saturday night. The Horned Frogs simply needed their defense to make life miserable for the Bears.

Behind three sacks from Koron Hayward and a second-half defensive shutout, TCU football defeated Baylor 17-6 at McLane Stadium, extending its Revivalry winning streak to two games and securing its first Big 12 victory of the 2026 season.

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The Horned Frogs improved to 3-3 overall and 1-2 in conference play, while Baylor dropped to 4-2 and 2-1 after having its four-game winning streak snapped.

For head coach Sonny Dykes, the performance offered encouraging evidence that TCU can win games with defense rather than relying exclusively on its passing attack.

Hayward delivered the night's most disruptive performance, collecting three of TCU's four sacks. CJ Woodford added the fourth, while Jamel Johnson intercepted Baylor quarterback DJ Lagway in the third quarter.

Lagway endured a miserable evening, completing just 22 of 53 passes for 256 yards without a touchdown. His 41.5 percent completion rate was the lowest by an opposing quarterback against TCU since Texas' Shane Buechele in 2016.

Baylor managed only 54 rushing yards and 310 total yards, failing to reach the end zone for the first time this season.

The Horned Frogs also ended a lengthy conference drought, holding a Big 12 opponent without a touchdown for the first time since facing Texas Tech in 2017.

Offensively, quarterback Jaden Craig provided enough firepower to get the job done.

Craig completed 21 of 36 passes for 294 yards and two touchdowns, finding Ed Small for a 25-yard score in the opening quarter.

Small finished with seven receptions for 91 yards, while Jordan Dwyer delivered another impressive performance with six catches for 150 yards.

Dwyer's biggest contribution came immediately after halftime.

With TCU protecting a narrow 7-6 lead, Craig connected with Dwyer for a 67-yard gain that set up an eight-yard touchdown pass to Ka'Morreun Pimpton.

A 25-yard field goal from Nate McCashland later extended the advantage to 17-6.

From there, TCU's defense took over.

The Horned Frogs forced three punts, created turnovers and stopped Baylor on downs twice during the closing minutes.

The victory wasn't without concerns. TCU rushed for just 33 yards, surrendered four sacks and managed only 327 yards of total offense.

But after consecutive conference defeats, winning ugly was considerably better than losing again.

Baylor coach Dave Aranda summed up the frustration afterward.

“It's a hollow feeling,” Aranda said. “You feel gutted when you can't reward [the fans] with a win.”

TCU now returns to Fort Worth with renewed momentum and an opportunity to climb back into the Big 12 race.

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The Horned Frogs host West Virginia on Saturday at 11 a.m. CT on ESPN2.

And if Saturday's defensive performance is any indication, TCU might finally be developing an identity that travels.

Source: Yahoo Sports