1. First-rate secondary

Safety Denzel Johnson spent two seasons learning the TCU 4-2-5 by backing up Sam Carter. Judging by Johnson’s laser-like focus on SFA’s game plan and his airtight tackling, the student has mastered the lessons and is ready to assume center stage. Along with Nick Orr, Ranthony Texada, Derrick Kindred and Michael Downing, who snagged an interception in relief of injured Kenny Iloka, Johnson helped frustrate every Lumberjack offensive effort. Though reshuffling may take place as the coaching staff figures out how to replace the invaluable Iloka, Saturday’s effort in the secondary suggested all systems are a go.

2. Welcome to the scoring ranks, young Frogs

And astounding five TCU student-athletes scored their first touchdowns for the purple and white (er, lizard camo gray), including the first of hopefully many by lightning-fast true freshman KaVontae Turpin. Hearty congratulations go out to the aforementioned ball hawk Denzel Johnson, scout team MVP Colten Christensen, running back Kyle Hicks and true freshman wideout Jaelan Austin. Here’s to millions more.

3. Still oiling the air raid gears

TCU racked up 70 points on Saturday, good for second-most in program history. Trevone Boykin, Josh Doctson, Kolby Listenbee and crew made the yard-gobbling look easy, for the most part, through two quarters and change. We aren’t demanding perfection, but with a few missed connections on what should’ve been sure catches and two chop block penalties, the Frogs have some lessons to glean from the film room this week.

4. Running out of redshirts?

Several true freshmen are already playing vital roles on a talent-rich squad, including Montrel Wilson, who started at linebacker. Many more made debut appearances at the Carter. From Tipa Galeai and Ty Summers to punter/kicker Jonathan Song, an unprecedented number of new faces are jumping straight from the frying pan into the fire, which begs the question: will anyone other than injured defensive upperclassmen be using a redshirt year in 2015?

5. Sunny day, but stay

A 63-point differential coupled with the late-summer sun didn’t provide enough incentive for all of TCU’s fans to remain for the victorious rendition of our alma mater. But take it from this lifelong Frog fan: a No. 3 team isn’t an annual privilege. Far in the future, when you recount the Patterson glory days to your grandchildren or bridge clubs, you will want to remember every minute. The 2015 football team endured more demanding conditions in preparing for the season’s ride. The least we can do to show appreciation is to stay until the final fireworks.

5 stats that stood out

1. Patterson’s Posse has been great when it’s been among the nation’s elite. TCU is now 32-3 when taking the field as a top-10 team. When they are ranked in the top 5, the Frogs are 21-1. (Do you remember the loss? Fiesta Bowl 2010. No. 3 TCU fell to No. 6 Boise State in a battle of the unbeatens.)

2. One of the most impressive numbers for the football program as a whole (not just this year’s squad) is the 27 consecutive games they’ve recorded a takeaway. It’s the nation’s best streak and dates back to the beginning of 2013. Lots of Frogs contributing to keep that number going.

3. The Horned Frogs did pile up the points against the overmatched Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks. 70 points is the second-highest total in program history. (Of course, you remember last year’s 82 put on Texas Tech as the most.) It was only the sixth time TCU has scored 65 or more. (TCU scored 69 on New Mexico in 2011, 66 on the Lobos in 2010, 67 on Stephen F. Austin in 2008, 68 on Austin College in 1932.) The 63-point margin of victory was the third-largest in history for the program.

4. Speaking of big numbers, the Frogs rolled up 627 yards of total offense. That’s the 10th time in the Patterson era the Frogs have bested the 600 mark.

5. The defense was equally stout. After giving up 15 yards on a misdirection reverse on the opening play of the game, the Frogs held the Lumberjacks to 24 total yards on 36 plays the rest of the first half. For the game, SFA ended with 167 yards, and 75 of those came on a late 4th quarter touchdown run.

5 tweets that told the tale

This one was easy From here on out, not so much So enjoy tonight. #TCUHaiku TCUFootball @FrogsOWar

— Great Davey’s Ghost (@Ace_Gagnon) September 13, 2015

Trevone Boykin: 60 career passing touchdowns, joining Andy Dalton (71) as the only players to reach that threshold in TCU history. #SFAvsTCU

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) September 12, 2015

KaVontae Turpin, making people look silly. #TCU https://t.co/z1Qrr0UovC — Mike Leslie (@MikeLeslieWFAA) September 12, 2015

We need a nickname for Trevorris Johnson. I vote for steamroller. — Frogs O’ War (@FrogsOWar) September 12, 2015

Can’t be said enough…#TCU frosh @KT4_Era_ is special.

— Jeremy Clark (@JClarkHFB) September 12, 2015