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September 19, 2016

5 thoughts on TCU – Iowa State

Keep smiling. Injuries aside, everything is moving in the right direction for the 2-1 Frogs.

Kyle Hicks touchdown

Kyle Hicks ran for 117 yards against Iowa State, including a 64-yard touchdown scamper, a career long.

September 19, 2016

5 thoughts on TCU – Iowa State

Keep smiling. Injuries aside, everything is moving in the right direction for the 2-1 Frogs.

What We Noticed:

 

1. Gray Saves the Day

After shifting the linebacker rotation last week, Coach Patterson unleashed more of his legendary defensive genius by moving speedy wideout Deanté Gray to cornerback. Huh? Yes, Gray played corner before — against Iowa State in 2013 — so the fifth-year-senior already understood the complexities of playing in the Frogs’ defensive backfield. The result from Saturday? The best defensive outing of the season for the collective unit, which held Iowa State to 217 yards passing and virtually shut out their star receiver Alan Lazard, who finished with one catch for a measly eight yards. Will Gray line up on the flip side against SMU on Saturday? Hmmmmm. Waiting to see what the defensive coaches have planned is almost as much fun as scouting the Frogs’ opponents.

 

2. Electric Football

The Big-Play Frogs have been lighting massive torches of enthusiasm under Amon G. Carter Stadium in recent years. Somehow, through 2016’s first two games, the offense has looked more like a traditional ground-and-pound system, netting more first downs than big plays. But Kenny Hill and company summoned their inner Boykins and Doctsons on Saturday. Sizzling long-yardage highlights included a 35-yard rocket from Hill to stellar newcomer John Diarse, a 39-yarder to Emanuel Porter, who is showing flashes of stardom, and a breakout 64-yard scamper for a touchdown by Kyle “Cadillac” Hicks. The gains were season-bests for all three. More big plays, please.

 

3. Big-Time Small

Playing safety in the fearsome Frog D is no tiny task. Those in the defensive backfield must rove and spy and think on their feet. We knew veteran Denzel Johnson would ably fill the purple cleats of current Cleveland Brown Derrick Kindred, who was the “quarterback” of the defense last year. Johnson has certainly been up to the task, but Niko Small has been a happy surprise at free safety. The sophomore from Arlington has been gaining confidence since the start of the season. Against Iowa State, he played his best game yet in a TCU jersey. Small was a terror for the plans of Cyclone quarterbacks Joel Lanning and Jacob Park and came within millimeters of what could have been a pick-six. There’ll be plenty more chances for big plays, Small. Keep your eyes on the prize.

 

TCU clarinet

TCU Marching Band members are the best Frog fans in the stadium.

4. Let’s Hear it for the Band

Some fans endured the scorching midaftrnoon temperatures better than others. While the television cameras may not appreciate it, the builders of the revamped TCU football stadium did heat-weary Frogs a favor by including so much shaded space. No such refuge exists for the band. No problem. The Pride of TCU kept the energy high all the way through the alma mater — wearing black pants, no less. The collective band deserves a medal for being the #1 TCU fan. (And a shameless plug – if you haven’t read the summer TCU Magazine cover story about the hard work and magnanimous spirits of the marching band, check it out here).

 

5. Take a Tip from Turp

The stadium sighed with worry when KaVontae Turpin needed help walking off the field in the third quarter. “Not our Turpin,” rang the anguished cries. While Horned Frog Nation awaits official word on the severity of his injury, let’s ponder what we might do in the awful scenario that Mr. Sunshine and Touchdowns misses time. We could fall into a puddle of purple tears, or we could honor KaVontae by infusing the season with some of his happy Turpin-tude. We can keep smiling and cheer louder and harder. Let’s hope we don’t have to do it, though, as NO ONE manages Turpin time like #25.

 

Five Tweets That Told the Tale

 

 

 

 

https://twitter.com/KaVontaeTurpin/status/777138417817694208

(And no one wants it for you as bad as we do. Get well soon, Turp.)

 

Technically another game, but HUGE CONGRATULATIONS to TCU Volleyball on the exciting win.

 

Kyle Cadillac Hicks, TCU Iowa State

Kyle Hicks was picture perfect while racking up 117 yards against Iowa State.

 

Your comments are welcome

1 Comment

  1. Great band thanks for your support

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