Down the Razorback Road
September 6, 2017
The Frogs are over the first big hill on the college football roller coaster with their win over Jackson State. Now things get rolling really fast. Hold on tight!
And just like that – Arkansas and a trip to Fayetteville are three days away. I love Fayetteville – it’s a good town and the stadium along Razorback Road is a great setting. Much like at TCU, the stadium still sits on the same site. The main difference is it now seats 70,000+ instead of the 44,000 it used to seat back in the old Southwest Conference days.
Last weekend was a wild one around the state of Texas with the season in full bloom. Interesting outcomes in Austin and Waco and a heart-breaking loss by West Virginia mean that Big 12 teams need to get going in the win column, especially against early season non-conference foes.
After the Frogs defeated Jackson State, I was on my way to the Rose Bowl to see the Aggies take on UCLA in the most talked-about game of the week. And, yes, I was cheering for the Aggies – they’re from Texas. You should pull for them, too. Remember, their move to the Southeast Conference opened up a seat at the Big 12 table. Without the Aggies’ move and Chris Del Conte’s swiftness, where might TCU be today?
The game reminded me of the Alamo Bowl as the Aggies controlled the game for 35 minutes, then it started to rain and the Bruins had new life and all the luck. Leaving the Rose Bowl, I still wasn’t sure what just happened. My advice for the Aggies: RUN the football. They have three talented backs who can take over games and help keep the A&M defense off the field.
Of course, no visit to the Rose Bowl would be complete without a visit to the Rose Bowl’s Court of Champions which features the winners of every Rose Bowl. It’s special to see all that history and even more moving to see TCU’s plaque on the wall. Believe me, I showed all my Aggie friends!
Photo by John Denton
Ironically, the same two head coaches from that 2011 Rose Bowl square off Saturday in Fayetteville. Friday, I’ll preview the Frogs & Hogs.
Until then,
Kick ‘Em High!
About Extra Points with John Denton
John Denton has been the color analyst for the TCU Sports Network from IMG since 1988. A former standout for the Horned Frog football team, Denton went from walk-on to a four-year lettermen as a kicker and punter for the Purple and White from 1981-84 and completed his career at the 1984 Bluebonnet Bowl. Shown here with his former coach, the late Jim Wacker, Denton currently serves as the Associate Athletics Director for Athletics Alumni Relations & Executive Director of the Block T Association.
Your comments are welcome
1 Comment
Denton,
I was last there when TCU won in the last minute of the game by a pass in the end zone. You could hear a pin drop in the stadium except for the TCU fans yelling and screaming. Then, the empty whisky pint bottles started to sail out towards the field and the TCU coaches and players. Wonder that no one was killed or badly hurt.
That is my memory moment from Fayetteville—decided right then to not go back.
Interesting to see that TCU is a 3 point favorite—bet Patterson hated to see that because he usually wishes TCU to be the underdog and be able to “come from behind”.
Just my memories and thoughts.
LL
Related reading:
5 Thoughts on TCU – Jackson State
What stood out in Coach Patterson’s 150th win at TCU, a high-scoring shutout of Jackson State?
In a Jackson State of Mind
Before we kickoff this year of Extra Points, let me send out encouragement to all along the Gulf Coast who are trying to make it in the wake of Hurricane Harvey. Our prayers are with all of you for strength. Let me also say that LaDainian Tomlinson’s suggestion of all of us becoming “Team America”
Older, Wiser Frogs are Ready to Take on 2017
TCU football head coach Gary Patterson said his team has come a long way since starting camp.