Five True Facts about … TCU football | News, Sports, Jobs

Richard W. Rodriguez, AP Photo

Texas Christian University tight end Kari Ashley (81) scores a touchdown against Arkansas State cornerback Dontrae Henderson (0) during an NCAA college football game in Fort Worth, Texas, Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026.

Each week the Daily Herald provides five true facts about BYU’s latest football opponent for your enjoyment. This week, TCU (don’t call them “Texas Christian University.”

1. They went there

Famous alumni from TCU includes president and CEO of Nike Inc. Elliott Hill, CBS News journalist Bob Schieffer, former NFL MVP LaDainian Tomlinson, Sports Illustrated writer Dan Jenkins and The Professor (Roy Hinkley) from Gilligan’s Island.

2. Winning it all

TCU claims national championships in 1935 and 1938, led by Pro Football Hall of Famer Sammy Baugh and Heisman Trophy winner Davey O’Brien. The program also made the College Football Playoffs in 2022 and lost to Georgia in the national championship game.

3. Say what?

“Riff Ram” is one of the oldest and most unique cheers in collegiate sports. While it is hard to pinpoint the exact origins of “Riff Ram,” a version of the cheer does appear in the 1905 Horned Frog yearbook. Today the chant sounds like this: “Riff, Ram, Bah, Zoo; Lickety, Lickety, Zoo, Zoo; Who, Wah, Wah, Who; Give ’em Hell, TCU!”

4. Bowling all over

In 2014, TCU became just the fourth program to have competed in all six of the modern day CFP Bowls (Rose, Fiesta, Sugar, Cotton, Peach and Orange), joining Florida St, Miami and Tennessee.

5. Hard headed

TCU was the last school in college football to wear leather helmets, switching to hard plastic versions in 1946.