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October 30, 2017

5 Thoughts on TCU – Iowa State

Iowa State’s upset win halted TCU’s dream of an undefeated season.

October 30, 2017

5 Thoughts on TCU – Iowa State

Iowa State’s upset win halted TCU’s dream of an undefeated season.

5 Things We Noticed

1. Ready For It

On a campus where “Sweet Caroline” is heard more often than the school’s fight song, No. 25 ISU was ready for No. 4 TCU. Cyclone football players had just digested their upset win over the University of Oklahoma and were hungry for another hunt. For TCU, something was off from the beginning. The Frogs had to come back from a rare two-touchdown deficit in the first half. Iowa State was ready to defend the Frogs’ methodical offensive plans and even thwarted third-down conversions, TCU’s time to shine so far this season.

2. Secondary Affairs

Iowa State’s game plan was clear from the first series. They wanted to toss the pigskin to their tall receivers and test whether TCU’s secondary could subvert the effort. The speedy safeties and corners in the Horned Frog defensive backfield were up to the challenge. Cornerback Jeff Gladney snagged an interception in what was his best game at TCU. He and opposite corner Ranthony Texada led an unforgiving charge that held the Cyclone offense to 40 yards in the second half.

3. Pep Talk

Head coach Gary Patterson directs from the sidelines at TCU's matchup with West Virginia. Photo by Glen E. Ellman

Head coach Gary Patterson directs from the sidelines at TCU’s matchup with West Virginia. Photo by Glen E. Ellman

For about the first five minutes of the third quarter, it looked as if Coach Gary Patterson’s halftime powwow had an impact on his team. In the first 12 seconds, KaVontae Turpin turned a punt return into a 94-yard touchdown. He has now scored five different ways this season: receiving, rushing, passing, returning a kickoff and returning a punt. Momentum swung back to TCU with Gladney’s interception. But then the Frogs’ five minutes were up.

4. Missteps

Cyclone fans were given yellow towels to wave around in the stands. Or maybe those were replicas of what the refs were tossing at the Frogs all afternoon. In its 11 penalties, TCU lost 104 yards plus Ridwan Issahaku’s would-be pick-six. This game is a testament that all the basics matter: being in the proper starting position, syncing with the snaps and letting go of linemen. TCU made great runs just to be called back with penalties, perhaps changing the outcome of the contest.

5. History Repeats Itself

In Horned Frog fans’ not-so-distant memory sits the 2014 season. TCU started that year unranked and gathered early momentum after toppling No. 4 Oklahoma. Mid-season, TCU fell short to No. 5 Baylor in a controversial game. Coach Patterson’s squad went on to beat four top 20 ranked teams and finished that season 12-1. The unfazed Frogs won the Big 12 championship and took home the Peach Bowl trophy. The lesson: One seemingly significant loss did not spoil the whole barrel. These Frogs have their eyes up and will keep climbing, adversity or not.


5 Tweets that Told the Tale

https://twitter.com/_justinrogers/status/924387445927501824

https://twitter.com/kels_patterson/status/924427112416710656