1. Welcome, Killer Instinct

We could find 500 superlatives from TCU’s 50-7 domination of longtime rival Texas, but to sum it up, “Dem Boyz” are back on both sides of the ball. The 50 points against the Longhorns were the most in series history, which dates back to 1897. Trevone Boykin and his history-making comrades could have lit up the scoreboard for many more, but like true champions, the Frogs showed class with restraint.

After four early contests with room for improvement on defense, the trademark TCU blitzkrieg showed up to play in 2015. Perhaps bolstered by the return of seniors Mike Tuaua and Davion Pierson, the defensive line led a relentless attack and flustered Texas’ offensive efforts on almost every snap. The support up front allowed freshmen linebackers Montrel Wilson and Travin Howard to strut their stuff and lead the team in tackles. The increase in pressure on the opposing quarterback also made for easier jobs in the secondary, reducing the demands on high-performing safeties Derrick Kindred and Denzel Johnson. The Gary Patterson defensive system works well when the right people line up and do their jobs. As of Saturday, the puzzle pieces are coming together for what might end up as a memorable masterpiece.

2. J-dot, son

 Where does No. 9 get that juice? Perhaps he soaked it up in his former role as a Bleacher Creature? Regardless, his combination of work ethic and natural ability keep upping the ante for what is possible for college wide receivers. The nation’s No. 2 in receiving yards now is TCU’s all-time record-holder for touchdown grabs, which is so much sweeter knowing Josh is a lifelong Horned Frog fan. When we say the sky is the limit for this high-flying record-breaker, we sort of mean it.

(Side note: with six touchdowns through five games in his true freshman campaign, KaVontae Turpin is already gunning for Doctson’s record)

3. Issa-haiku

 After showing in-practice talent for the last few weeks, redshirt freshman safety Ridwan Issahaku appeared in the starting lineup. His tough-nosed play seemed to make a real difference in the defensive backfield, which will face tough tests down the stretch in Big 12 play. Issahaku’s contribution inspired poetry:

Ridwan shined today.
Can’t do that, he showed sad Horns,
As Frogs coast to five.

4. Hornbusters

 Sure, the Horned Frog footballers have gone 5-3 against the University of Texas in Trevone Boykin’s lifetime. But many Amon G. Carter Stadium regulars carry sour recollections of the series history. For 24 straight Southwest Conference seasons, between 1968 and 1991, TCU fans suffered through losses to the Longhorns.

Boykin and Co., along with Coach Patterson, are erasing those sad memories en route to supplanting every historical legend in the TCU record books. This season, and the big win, are all about the 2015 team’s effort, but we longtime fans can’t help but smile at the historical context.

5. Same Field of Dreams

If a time traveler left the TCU football field in 1980 and returned on Saturday, she might wonder about this strange and wonderful place. With new uniforms, new records, and a packed, loud stadium cheering on historic dominance, the past is starting to seem like a distant memory, perhaps even an inaccessible universe.

But make no mistake, Sammy Baugh and Davey O’Brien reached their dreams and left an unforgettable legacy on the same small slice of Fort Worth real estate. Only in 2015, the old story has taken on new life while shifting the structure of the country’s favorite amateur sport.

We are witnessing the same Horned Frog Pride, only with unforeseen and spectacular twists. Take, for example, the Riff Ram Bah Zoo song as updated by recent TCU graduates and hip-hop artists:

TCU wide receiver Josh Doctson had seven catches for 129 yards and two touchdowns in the 50-7 victory against Texas. Doctson’s two scores made him the TCU career leader in touchdown receptions, passing Josh Boyce. (Photo by Sharon Ellman)

Five stats that stood out

1. It’s been since the great Bob Lilly prowled the Horned Frog sidelines that TCU beat Texas in back-to-back seasons. Officially, 1958 and 1959 under coach Abe Martin. Coach Patterson has his own strong legacy against the Longhorns brewing. Since the Frogs joined the Big 12, TCU is 3-1, including 48- and 50-point outings the last two meetings. Not to be outdone, the defense has held Texas to 10 and 7 points respectively during that span.

2. Saturday was the 100^th time Patterson’s defenses have held a foe to 17 points or fewer. It was also Coach P’s 182^nd game as head man. Nearly 55 percent of the time TCU has held opponents to three scores or fewer. That gives a team a chance to win. No wonder TCU is 97-3 in those contests.

3. About those records that fell: Quarterback Trevone Boykin passed all-timer Andy Dalton’s record of 71 touchdowns on his third TD toss of the day. Boykin, however, reached the mark in 169 fewer attempts. Wide receiver Josh Doctson moved past another all-timer in Josh Boyce with his 23^rd receiving touchdown. Boyce got his in 161 career reception compared with 178 for Doctson. But Doctson got the total in eight fewer games.

4. A key weapon in TCU’s victory was freshman wide receiver KaVontae Turpin, who finished the day with six catches, 138 receiving yards and four touchdowns — the most by a freshman in Big 12 history.

5. For all the offense, the defense had three players record career-highs in tackles: linebacker Montrell Wilson (13), linebacker Travin Howard (12) and safety Ridwan Issahaku (9). Can you smell the confidence growing with these guys?

Linebacker Montrell Wilson stops Texas running back Johnathan Gray in the first quarter of TCU’s 50-7 win over the Longhorns. Wilson had a career-high 13 tackles. (Photo by Sharon Ellman)

Five Tweets that told the tale

For 2nd straight week, TCU is most-watched college football team in DFW TV market. TCU-Texas drew 5.5 rating, highest for any college game.

— Mark Cohen (@TCUSID) October 5, 2015

And the first quarter mercifully ends with TCU ahead 30-0. Total mismatch. But only three quarters to go. — Kirk Bohls (@kbohls) October 3, 2015

Unfair to expect Texas to cover every TCU receiver when they’re all draped in camouflage, IMO

— David Ubben (@davidubben) October 3, 2015

Records are meant to be broken. Happy for my guy Deuce. #GoFrogs — Andy Dalton (@andydalton14) October 3, 2015

Congrats fam!!! You came along way……@JDoc_son

— Josh Boyce (@Josh_Boyce) October 4, 2015