The Sports Xchange
NCAAF Team Report – TCU – INSIDE SLANT
Following a disappointing loss in the first Big 12 home game played by TCU, it was a convenient time for Gary Patterson to reiterate his modest goals for this, the Horned Frogs’ transition into the big-time.
From the outset Patterson preached patience, particularly when he was aware that he would be forced to play several newcomers this season. So far that total has reached 15 true freshmen, as well as a redshirt freshman, Trevone Boykin, who was moved into the starting lineup prior to the Oct. 6 loss to Iowa State following the suspension of Casey Pachall.
Pachall, who was arrested on suspicion of DWI just two days before the Iowa State game, will miss the remainder of the season while undergoing treatment at a drug and alcohol prevention facility. Pachall left school, but he will be allowed to enroll in the spring semester and given the opportunity to rejoin the Horned Frogs.
“We want to make sure we can make this turn into a positive,” Patterson said. “Casey’s parents, Casey and I, we all agreed that there was only one way to change the path he was on — to step away from it.”
That leaves TCU without an experienced quarterback who figured to attack Big 12 defenses as a precision passer and capitalize on the Frogs’ potent receiving corps. The effect of Pachall’s absence was immediately recognized, as Boykin struggled with turnovers against Iowa State.
So Patterson felt it was as good a time as any to stipulate just where the TCU program was at after his club fell to 4-1 overall and 1-1 in the Big 12 heading into an Oct. 13 game at Baylor. Prior to the season, Patterson said a reasonable goal for TCU was a six-win season and a bowl bid, something that seemed rather startling after the Horned Frogs challenged for BCS berths as a member of the Mountain West.
The loss to Iowa State snapped a 25-game conference win streak for the Frogs, as well as a 12-game overall streak, which was tops in the country among FBS members.
“We just had 455 yards against a pretty good Big 12 defense and really, until we threw the last pick for a touchdown, we’re within six points of getting where we needed to get to,” Patterson said.
That interception was the third for Boykin, who threw for 270 yards as the Frogs executed 83 snaps. Another freshman, B.J. Catalon, paced TCU with 86 rushing yards while replacing injured running back Matthew Tucker. However, Catalon lost two fumbles.
“I thought Catalon did a great job in the second half when he got in traffic,” Patterson said. “If he would have done it in the first half, we would have scored two more touchdowns. Trevone played tailback (in practice) before moving to quarterback on Thursday. So for me to even give him a fair evaluation is not fair.”
Maybe not, but the Frogs must grow up sometime and do it with Boykin engineering the offense. The one quality Patterson likes is that the redshirt freshman provides more variables than Pachall. Boykin is always a threat to run, and his feet enable the TCU staff to script some keepers that should make the young QB more effective and perhaps even open the passing lanes, where he can choose from several talented receivers.
Still, Patterson makes a good point. The regular competition TCU faces within the Big 12 makes the learning curve quite difficult. Baylor has been weak defensively, but the Bears can put pressure on opposing offenses with a relentless attack of their own that scores points in bunches behind quarterback Nick Florence.
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NCAAF Team Report – TCU – NOTES, QUOTES
–The emergence of so many freshmen in the TCU two-deep has sparked some breakthrough performances. DE Devonte Fields, for example, leads all freshmen nationally in sacks (5.5) and tackles for loss (9.5) as he chases the TCU freshman sack record held by Aaron Schobel. The Horned Frogs have played 27 freshmen overall, the most of any program in the country. Among those freshmen who have played are 15 true freshmen, which exceeds TCU’s number of scholarship seniors (11).
–TCU coach Gary Patterson blamed himself for not preparing his team properly on the challenges presented by Iowa State, which pulled off a 37-23 upset win in Fort Worth on Oct. 6. Patterson said the Cyclones had a reason to resent the Frogs’ entry into the Big 12 and the favorite role they carried into the matchup. Many of the new league rivalries enable TCU to go up against former Southwest Conference opponents, which Patterson said “makes it easier on the emotional side of things.” Connections with Big 12 teams among those who live in Fort Worth, he said, “makes for a greater game-day atmosphere.”
SERIES HISTORY: Tied 50-50-7 (last meeting, 2011, 50-48 Baylor).
SCOUTING THE OFFENSE: Even without accurate thrower Casey Pachall, a quarterback with a pocket presence, the Horned Frogs could be difficult to defend as long as they create ways for QB Trevone Boykin to operate. Boykin figures to pose a threat in the run game, which should open up passing lanes for what could still be the deepest receiving corps in the Big 12. Those receivers could become his top allies since all possess the moves, the hands and the athleticism to win one-on-one matchups. Boykin just needs to deliver the ball more accurately.
SCOUTING THE DEFENSE: The TCU secondary is skilled at picking off passes, with 10 this season, though Iowa State proved in its Oct. 6 upset that some risks taken could be costly. The Cyclones erupted for some big connections, though the youthful TCU defensive backs continue to show promise. CB Jason Verrett has three interceptions in the last two games, and FS Elisha Olabode has been involved in a takeaway in four of the Frogs’ five games. A strong pass rush, led by DE Devonte Fields, must continue to progress.
QUOTE TO NOTE: “This is not going to be a sprint. It’s going to be a longer race. But I feel good about it. When I get a chance to recruit to the Big 12 … I feel good about what our future is. And I think our style of play fits it. You can’t give up big plays on defense, and you can’t turn it over on offense. It doesn’t matter what your style of play is, you’re not going to win many games.” — TCU coach Gary Patterson
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NCAAF Team Report – TCU – STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL
THIS WEEK’S GAME: TCU at Baylor, Oct. 13 — The schools were once rivals in the Southwest Conference. TCU was even located in Waco from 1895-1910, and the series dates to 1899, representing the most games the Horned Frogs have played against an opponent. So yes, it is a big deal that the two schools are again conference rivals, even though TCU generally recognizes SMU as the biggest rival on the schedule. The 50-48 victory the Bears managed last season snapped a three-game winning streak in the series for the Frogs. TCU boasts the best record among BCS programs from Texas since 2005 with a mark of 81-14.
KEYS TO THE GAME: Slowing down the Bears, whose offensive production has not dropped off considerably since the departure of Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III, is crucial. QB Nick Florence already had experience running the Baylor system as a backup when Griffin was injured. Florence has operated well and threw for more than 500 yards in the Bears’ only defeat, a 70-63 shootout at West Virginia. Winning shootouts will be problematic for TCU if it continues to commit turnovers, a problem that may persist because of inexperience. If QB Trevone Boykin cuts down on his mistakes, he has the makings of an efficient thrower. He has completed 64 percent of his throws, but he did toss three interceptions in the Oct. 6 loss to Iowa State.
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
WR/KR Skye Dawson — Following a big game against Iowa State in which he consistently furnished good field position off long returns, Dawson is the only player in the country to rank as high in both punt returns (No. 9/17.4 yards) and kickoff returns (No. 11/30.2 yards).
WR Brandon Carter — Recognized as the No. 3 receiver in the TCU attack behind Dawson and Josh Boyce, Carter is capable of acrobatic grabs, as he showed by snagging a pair of lengthy receptions with one hand in the Virginia win.
LB Kenny Cain — The lone senior starter on the TCU defense, Cain must continue to exert leadership and provide confidence to his young teammates as they face potent Big 12 attacks. Seven of TCU’s regular defenders have fewer than seven career starts.
ROSTER REPORT:
–QB Casey Pachall left school and will enter a drug and alcohol treatment program. Pachall was suspended prior the Iowa State defeat after his arrest on suspicion of DWI. He will be allowed to enroll at TCU for the spring semester and also be given the opportunity to rejoin the football team as long as reports are positive from his treatment.
–RB Matthew Tucker was expected to play against Iowa State but could not cut properly on his injured ankle. He is expected to play against Baylor.
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