Just like that we’re four games into the season and what a month it’s been. 4-0 and more fun to come.

But this is a time to heal. TCU has a chance to go into Coach Gary Patterson’s Paint & Body to get a tune up and a few dents fixed during the off week.

The team has gone at it hard for four straight weeks. Four wins have also provided some bumps and bruises along the way. Staying healthy is a key to a great year. Getting healthy during the season is another conversation altogether. It’s tough to get well on the run, which is why this week is a very important launch pad into the next eight weeks that include travel to Manhattan, Kansas; Ames, Iowa; Norman, Oklahoma and Lubbock, Texas. It’s going to be a grind. It’s very important to get running back Kyle Hicks, center Patrick Morris and several others who are dinged up extra time in the training room.

TCU has played four straight weeks and now get a break. The Horned Frogs’ back nine is EIGHT straight weeks.

It’s also a time to improve. No game breathing down the Frogs’ neck this week means time to work on “the little things” that can show up in a big way on any given Saturday in November.

Takeaways from last Saturday in Stillwater:

KaVontae Turpin, photographed in the season opener against Jackson State, shows skill and power week after week.
Photo by Glen E. Ellman

• It was really hot at field level. Some reports measured 140 degrees on the field. Kudos to Don Sommer, TCU’s strength and conditioning coach, and his staff for having the Frogs in such great shape. TCU wore OSU down. (See Darius Anderson’s 42-yard touchdown run as Exhibit A.)
• The running game is for real. The Frogs offensive line can shove people around and control a game. The key now is to stay healthy.
• Sonny Cumbie’s insertion of the screen game into the game plan and timely play calls utilizing the same were masterful. Especially on third downs. I love the screen game!
• Kenny Hill was the most comfortable and in-control I’ve seen him since he landed at TCU. A power running game and controlled passing game will do that for a quarterback.
• TCU’s secondary did a great job of making OSU quarterback Mason Rudolph hold the ball, giving the rush time to arrive. How many times did Rudolph just have to throw the ball away? I lost count.
• The Frogs’ defensive line came away with two interceptions. Chris Bradley’s pick was an example of heads-up play and great coverage at the first level of the defense. L.J. Collier’s interception was a great example of what happens when you create mayhem for the opposing quarterback. The ball looked like Super Mario bouncing off helmets and shoulder pads on its way to Collier’s hands. I like it when the big guys end up with the ball, don’t you?
• Jonathan Song finally got tested and he passed. Nice three field goal day.
• Special teams were good, especially late in the game. Deep snapper Lucas Gravelle’s tackle on punt coverage when the Frogs had to punt deep in its own end of the field was stellar. KaVontae Turpin’s long kickoff return to set up Anderson’s 42-yard dagger was right on time. Turpin Time.
• Safety Nick Orr has a feel for the game. Great read getting the interception on the double pass by OSU. Another thought: why did OSU run that play? No need. Thanks, anyway!
• The Frogs got the “Stillwater Thing” off its back. Now Norman, Oklahoma is the only Big 12 road venue where TCU hasn’t won since joining the league.

So this week you Frog fans can relax and watch the rest of the Big 12 in action and take notes for future weekends. You can probably use the time off, too. After all, you’re 4-0.

Talk to you Friday. Until then,

Kick ‘Em High!