TCU Looks for their First Win Against Texas
The Texas Christian University football team may have lost their season opener against the Iowa State Cyclones on Saturday, 37-34. Still, they look to even their record against a beatable Texas football team.
Offense
The Horned frogs rushing game was ineffective, rushing for 99 yards on 44 carries. The Horned Frogs’ most prolonged rush attempt went for 16 yards, and they only averaged 2.3 yards per carry. These stats are because TCU’s five-star recruit running back, Zach Evans, did not see the field against the Cyclones.
Evans will take the field against Texas and look to boost their running game tremendously. Evans is the highest-rated recruit to ever sign with TCU, so look for him to make an impact against Texas.
Max Duggan
During the offseason, Sophomore quarterback Max Duggan was predicted to miss at least the beginning of the season due to a health condition he has had his entire life. Preseason COVID testing revealed the undetected condition Duggan had.
Duggan made strides and became available to play in the season opener, but after missing a lot of preseason camp and practice, sophomore Matthew Downing got the start. Midway through the game, Coach Patterson decided to bring in Duggan and bench Downing.
Duggan went on to throw for 241 yards on 16-19, passing with three touchdowns. A big turning point in the game was Duggan’s pass bobbled by receiver Taye Barber that fell into the hands of the Cyclones. That was the only interception Duggan threw. Besides that, he looked outstanding.
On the other hand, Texas almost fell to Texas Tech but found a way to come back in overtime in a nail-biting game.
Keys to Victory
Texas defense saw many problems letting Texas Tech running back SaRodorick Thompson run for over 100 yards on only 16 carries, scoring two touchdowns.
On defense, Texas and Texas Tech struggled tremendously, and if TCU could produce some stops, they will have a great chance of pulling out a massive upset that the Red Raiders were not able to hold on to. The test of TCU will be to stop or slow down Texas quarterback Sam Ehlinger.
Junior cornerback Noah Daniels will have to have another big day for that to happen. In Saturday’s loss to the Cyclones, Daniels showed some light at the end of a dark tunnel for the TCU defense, having three solo tackles and a pass defended. Those low numbers come from Daniels just not being targeted as much, especially in the second half of the game.
If they can win the turnover battle and put some pressure on Ehlinger, they will have a big chance to pull off the upset against Texas.
TCU will travel to play Texas, Saturday at 11 a.m.
Story by Corey May, Sports Journalist for Campus Live
