TCU game replay: Big-time D and Dalton to Hicks lead way in victory

Posted Sunday, Nov. 01, 2009 Comments   (0) Print Share Share Reprints
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Why TCU won

The Horned Frogs held UNLV to 160 yards, the lowest total of the season for the Rebels by 150 yards. TCU also racked up 578 yards of offense and led 20-0 at the half despite two first-quarter fumbles.

The Big Five

1Big-time D: The Frogs defense put on a particularly dominating display, forcing 11 Rebels punts and holding UNLV to seven first downs. TCU’s offense had 27 first downs.

2Dalton to Hicks! For the second consecutive week Andy Dalton and receiver Antoine Hicks connected on a 75-yard scoring pass. Last week at BYU, Hicks was on a straight go pattern down the sideline and beat the defender. Saturday against UNLV, Hicks stopped, caught the pass about 30 yards down field, broke a tackle and then raced the rest of the way for the score.

3Kerley standards: Coach Gary Patterson said receiver/return specialist Jeremy Kerley was a little down after the game because he didn’t do anything exciting, such as returning a punt for a touchdown (He had one in each of the previous two home games). "Every day is not going to be Kerley Day," Patterson told the receiver. Kerley should turn that frown upside down because he led the team with five catches, including a 14-yarder for a touchdown in the third quarter.

4Freshman frenzy: Redshirt freshman Ed Wesley’s 59-yard touchdown run was the longest run from scrimmage this season for the Frogs. Wesley’s 86-yard performance was a career high.

5578? The defense may be the dominant story line, but the offense was also impressive. The 578 yards gained were the most since the 2007 regular-season finale at San Diego State. Could the trend continue next week, when TCU visits the Aztecs?

Game balls

RB Ed Wesley: The redshirt freshman rushed for 86 yards on just seven carries, the bulk of it coming on a 59-yard scoring run in the second quarter that gave TCU a 17-0 lead. Wesley scored from 21 yards out on a pass from Andy Dalton for a 34-0 lead in the fourth quarter.

LB Tank Carder: He had five tackles, the same as fellow linebacker Daryl Washington, but Carder also had two pass breakups and helped hold UNLV tight end Ryan Wolfe to five catches (tied for his season low) for a season-low 25 yards.

DE Jerry Hughes: His stats weren’t flashy (five tackles, no sacks), but his All-America reputation kept the Rebels running away from the left side most of the time, allowing other Frogs to key in on tackles.

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