What Is 2013 TCU Horned Frogs football team

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2013 TCU Horned Frogs football team represented Texas Christian University in the 2013 NCAA Division I FBS football season, finishing with an 8-5 record under head coach Sonny Dykes. They played their home games at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas, and competed as a member of the Big 12 Conference.

Key Facts

The 2013 TCU Horned Frogs finished the season with an 8-5 overall record and 4-5 in Big 12 play.
Head coach Sonny Dykes led the team in his first year after replacing interim coach Trevone Boykin.
TCU played home games at Amon G. Carter Stadium, which had a capacity of approximately 45,000.
Quarterback Casey Pachall started the season but was replaced by Trevone Boykin after Week 3.
The team defeated Minnesota 30-7 in the 2013 Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl in Miami, Florida.

Overview

The 2013 TCU Horned Frogs football team marked a transitional year for the program as it entered its first full season in the Big 12 Conference after joining from the Mountain West in 2012. Led by first-year head coach Sonny Dykes, the team navigated a challenging schedule that tested its offensive capabilities and defensive resilience throughout the season.

Despite early struggles and quarterback changes, TCU showed improvement as the season progressed, culminating in a bowl victory that provided momentum for future seasons. The team played all home games at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas, which underwent renovations in 2012 to modernize facilities and increase fan capacity.

Record: The Horned Frogs finished the 2013 season with an 8-5 overall record and a 4-5 mark in Big 12 Conference play, reflecting moderate success in a competitive league.
Head Coach: Sonny Dykes took over as head coach in January 2013, bringing an up-tempo offensive philosophy after serving as offensive coordinator at Louisiana Tech.
Quarterback Rotation: Casey Pachall began the season as starter but was replaced by redshirt freshman Trevone Boykin after Week 3 due to inconsistent performance and off-field issues.
Stadium: Amon G. Carter Stadium, with a seating capacity of approximately 45,000, served as the team’s home field and underwent a $164 million renovation completed in 2012.
Bowl Game: TCU defeated the Minnesota Golden Gophers 30-7 in the Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl on January 1, 2014, in Miami, Florida, securing their eighth win of the season.

Season Performance and Key Players

The 2013 season showcased both growing pains and promising developments for TCU under new leadership. Offensive production fluctuated, but standout individual performances hinted at future potential.

Trevone Boykin: After taking over as starting quarterback, Boykin threw for 1,320 yards and 10 touchdowns with only 3 interceptions in his first seven starts.
Aaron Green: Running back Aaron Green emerged as a key offensive weapon, rushing for 734 yards and 6 touchdowns, including a 100-yard game against Texas Tech.
Jason Barnett: Senior linebacker Jason Barnett led the defense with 96 total tackles, including 8.5 for loss, anchoring a unit that improved as the season progressed.
Pass Defense: TCU ranked 10th nationally in pass defense, allowing just 174.6 yards per game through the air, a testament to defensive coordinator Dick Bumpas’s scheme.
Scoring Offense: The Horned Frogs averaged 29.5 points per game, a significant improvement from the previous season, driven by increased tempo under Dykes’ offensive system.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the 2013 TCU team with the 2012 and 2014 seasons to highlight performance trends:

Season	Overall Record	Conference Record	Bowl Result	Points Per Game
2012	7-6	5-3 (MW)	Lost Alamo Bowl	28.2
2013	8-5	4-5 (Big 12)	Won Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl	29.5
2014	10-3	6-3 (Big 12)	Won Peach Bowl	36.1
2011	11-2	6-0 (MW)	Lost Poinsettia Bowl	30.8
2010	13-0	8-0 (MW)	Won Rose Bowl	33.5

The data shows that while 2013 was not a breakout year, it served as a bridge between TCU’s strong Mountain West tenure and future Big 12 competitiveness. The improvement in offensive output and bowl victory laid the foundation for a 10-win season in 2014.

Why It Matters

The 2013 season was pivotal in establishing TCU’s identity in the Big 12 and proving its ability to compete despite early adversity. The transition in coaching and quarterback play demonstrated program resilience.

Conference Integration: As a new Big 12 member, TCU’s 2013 performance helped solidify its legitimacy among power-conference programs.
Quarterback Development: Trevone Boykin’s emergence provided long-term stability at quarterback, leading to All-American honors in later seasons.
Recruiting Boost: Success on the field and modernized facilities enhanced TCU’s appeal to high school recruits across Texas and beyond.
Offensive Evolution: Sonny Dykes’ spread system laid the groundwork for future high-scoring offenses, influencing TCU’s play style for years.
Defensive Consistency: Despite offensive ups and downs, the defense remained a strength, finishing in the top 25 nationally in pass defense.
Bowl Momentum: Winning a bowl game boosted morale and provided positive exposure, contributing to increased fan engagement and season ticket sales.

The 2013 TCU Horned Frogs may not have achieved national prominence, but their season played a crucial role in the program’s long-term trajectory within major college football.