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Although he has the same role for TCU that Jerome Bettis once had for the Steelers, Antoine Hicks is much more fun to watch.
The 6-foot-2, 200-pound sophomore has been the Frogs’ designated scorer this season. Unlike Bettis, however, who was the master of the 1-yard plunge, Hicks often scores from another area code.That has been the case the past two weeks. Last week against Brigham Young, Hicks scored on a 75-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Andy Dalton.On Saturday, he did exactly the same thing, teaming with Dalton in the second quarter for a 75-yard TD. On the play, he appeared to be stopped, but pulled away from the defender and dashed to the end zone — without his right shoe."I thought I was [down]," Hicks said. "I could feel [the defender’s] arms going all the way down my leg and then I just popped out. That’s when my shoe came off."That catch was the only time Hicks touched the ball on Saturday. But that mirrors his season. Hicks has carried the ball six times this season and caught 11 passes. And he’s scored seven touchdowns, which is second only to running back Joseph Turner’s eight TDs. Turner has had a total of 96 carries and receptions this season. "I’ve got to make the most of it," Hicks said. "One day, I’ll probably get one catch and one day, I’ll get three or four catches. Either way, I’m trying to make the most out of it."TCU has excellent depth at the skill positions, and Patterson said what he likes most about his receivers is their unselfishness. Hicks is one example of that."If they need me to block, I’ll block," Hicks said. "But if they give me the ball, I’m trying as hard as I can."Kerley humbledJeremy Kerley has been spectacular at times this season and he scored a touchdown on an 14-yard pass from Andy Dalton on Saturday. But after scoring twice on punt returns this season, Kerley was limited to 54 return yards on three punts against UNLV."Kerley was a little bit down because he didn’t have anything big happen," Patterson said. "I said, 'Look, we won the ball game. It’s not always going to be Kerley Day.’ "Early offensive successAntoine Hicks scored on the 75-yard TD pass from Andy Dalton with 4:17 left in the first quarter. Then running back Ed Wesley scored on a 59-yard run with 13:30 left in the second quarter. That meant that two of TCU’s three longest plays of the season occurred in the first 17 minutes of the game Saturday. Hicks also scored on a 75-yard reception last week. Wesley’s TD run was his longest play of the season by one yard. He had a 58-yard reception against Clemson.BrieflyDespite a tendency early in the year to start slowly, the Frogs have had a lead of at least 10-0 in four of their eight games. "Which ones," Patterson deadpanned. "It always seems like we’re behind."D.J. Yendrey, a true freshman, started in place of Cory Grant (ankle) at defensive tackle. Yendrey is only the second true freshman in TCU coach Gary Patterson’s nine-year tenure to make a start. Nose tackle Kelly Griffin was the first in 2007, when he started all 13 games.TCU has now won 10 consecutive games. That’s the Frogs’ longest winning streak since they won 13 straight in 2005 and 2006.The Frogs have a 12-game home winning streak and are 54-6 in their last 60 games in Amon G. Carter Stadium.Andy Dalton had his second straight game with three touchdown passes. He has 14 TD passes and only three interceptions this season. In his last 14 games, Dalton has 25 TD passes and only six interceptions.Ed Wesley had 86 yards rushing to lead TCU, and that was also his career high. Andy Dalton won his 24th game as TCU’s starter. He ranks second on TCU’s all-time list, trailing only Sam Baugh (29, 1934-36).Jan Hubbard, 817-390-7760
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