TCU’s Gray starts at cornerback, but Turpin injury may nix the move
TCU came into Saturday’s game with five sacks combined in the first two games. The defense recorded five more in the Horned Frogs’ 41-20 victory over Iowa State to open Big 12 play.
But that doesn’t mean coach Gary Patterson is happy with the defense.
Far from it, and you didn’t have to hear him say it, just look at the shake-up in personnel to start the game.
Deante Gray, switching from wide receiver, started at cornerback in place of Ranthony Texada against Iowa State as the TCU coaching staff continues to plug and play in search of the right defensive look after giving up 82 combined points in the team’s first two games.
Gray finished with two tackles and broke up one pass. He was used sparingly in the second half after missing two tackles on the drive that ended in the Cyclones’ only touchdown of the first half.
Patterson said leading up to the game that Texada had been one of the Frogs who had not played up to the expected level through two games, and after Game 3, there might be more shuffling for TCU.
“I don’t know if he’ll play next week,” Patterson said of Gray after the game. “He’ll probably have to move back to offense.”
Turpin injured
Whether Gray’s potential return to the offensive side of the ball is due to missed tackles or to receiver KaVontae Turpin’s injury in the third quarter was not addressed.
Turpin was helped off the field early in the third quarter and was unable to put any weight on his left leg on his way to the TCU training tent, a new feature on the sideline that provided shade on a warm afternoon and restricted visibility to work being done on Turpin’s leg.
TCU sports information did not provide any updates on Turpin’s injury or future status after the game. Turpin was able to walk to the TCU locker room under his own power.
Turpin came into the game leading the nation in all-purpose yardage, with 572 yards combined through the air and as a kick returner. He fielded only one kickoff Saturday as the Cyclones’ special teams made it a point to kick away from the sophomore speedster throughout the first half.
Diarse, Hicks shine
Receiver John Diarse, a graduate transfer from LSU, stepped up for the Frogs even before Turpin left the game. The junior who attended the same high school in Monroe, La., as Turpin, caught seven passes for 97 yards, including a 35-yard catch over a defender in the second quarter that set up a touchdown that put TCU up 17-7.
Four of Diarse’s catches came before Turpin went down, but after Turpin left, Diarse was effective for TCU as a slot receiver.
Junior running back Kyle Hicks scored his fifth rushing touchdown of the season, and caught another, a 25-yarder that put TCU up 31-7 early in the third quarter. Hicks finished with 117 yards on 12 carries and three catches for 39 yards.
“He’s been a bright spot,” Patterson said of Hicks. “Guys that practice well play well. Kyle Hicks, on and off the field, is everything you want.”
Defense finds sacks
The TCU defensive line also underwent some in-game adjustments. Mat Boesen got his first extended playing time at defensive end when he came in for James McFarland on ISU’s third offensive series.
Boesen, a junior college transfer, came away with 1 1/2 sacks, but Patterson also noted a couple of missed tackles for the junior. TCU managed five sacks despite a little more disruption on the line due to injury.
Josh Carraway left the game and didn’t look comfortable running off the field late in the first quarter. He returned after missing most of another series, but had to permanently leave the game late in the third quarter, as trainers tended to his right ankle.
Those circumstances netted sophomore defensive end Tipa Galeai his first extended stretch of playing time. Galeai recorded his first sack with about six minutes left in the second quarter.
Matt Martinez: 817-390-7760, @MCTinez817
This story was originally published September 17, 2016 at 6:06 PM with the headline "TCU’s Gray starts at cornerback, but Turpin injury may nix the move."