Pachall-to-Boyce has record-setting potential for TCU

By Stefan Stevenson

sstevenson@star-telegram.com

Pachall to Boyce for the touchdown.

That familiar refrain has happened at a record pace this season. Both sophomores, quarterback Casey Pachall and receiver Josh Boyce have connected nine times for touchdowns, giving fans reason to salivate at the prospect of what the duo can accomplish over the next two seasons as they mature in the Big 12.

Both are on pace to set new single-season standards at their positions. If they stay healthy, both could rewrite the TCU record books by the end of their careers in 2014.

But TCU coach Gary Patterson, as expected, is not interested in turning Pachall and Boyce into Horned Frog legends just yet.

"I'm not ready to anoint Casey Pachall," Patterson said. "We handled Andy Dalton the same way. We didn't make him be somebody special. You manage games and get the ball to the people who are supposed to get it. But definitely, with all the question marks we had at the beginning of the season about that position, a few of those have been answered."

One of those questions was Pachall's leadership abilities. He proved in the season opener that he could lead the team in a fourth-quarter comeback before TCU ultimately lost on a field goal by Baylor in the final minute.

At Boise State, Pachall and Boyce had career highs in yards and connected for the go-ahead 2-point conversion with 1:05 left in the game. Boyce, who had nine receptions for 124 yards and one touchdown in his previous three games, exploded for 163 yards and three touchdowns against the Broncos.

"It reminded me of the old Josh," Pachall said. "All week and all year I've known he is capable of that. He had a great day."

Pachall and Boyce (along with Tanner Brock) enrolled early in January 2009 out of high school. They were roommates their first year and have been through three spring practices, three fall camps and now three seasons. Also, sophomore running back Waymon James leads the No. 19 Frogs (8-2, 5-0 Mountain West) with 678 yards rushing, including 8.2 yards per carry. Boyce, who already has 100 hours of classes (124 are needed for a degree), led the Frogs in receiving as a redshirt freshman last year and opened eyes with his season-best performance at Utah.

Patterson did not make Boyce available for interviews after Saturday's game or during Tuesday's media luncheon.

Patterson prefers the focus to remain on his seniors as they go for their 45th win as a class against Colorado State (3-6, 1-3) at 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Last year's senior class won 44 games.

"These next two weeks are about the senior class winning championships," Patterson said. "It's not about Josh Boyce; it's not about Casey Pachall; it's about TCU football."

Still, Patterson is pleased with the maturity both young players have shown.

"To lose a guy like Andy Dalton and be able to play like we have on offense you have to have a guy who has a little bit of maturity," Patterson said. Stefan Stevenson

817-390-7760

Looking for comments?