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Let the compliment war begin.
Gary Patterson and Utah coach Kyle Whittingham took turns praising the other at their respective press conferences Tuesday.Here’s a tit-for-tat dialogue between the two coaches and the respect they have for the other’s program as they prepare for the 6:30 pm. Saturday Mountain West Conference "Showdown in Cowtown," as Patterson referred to it Tuesday.Whittingham on TCU: "Their roster is solid from top to bottom at every position. If you look at the stats, they are at or are near the top in all three phases of the game. Coach Patterson has done a great job assembling talent and I think they do a great job coaching them. There is no question that this is the best football team we have faced from them to this point." Patterson on the series with Utah: "Every game we’ve played against Utah has been close. We understand the historic part of how many games they’ve won and how they’re coached. This year’s no different."Whittingham on the TCU offense: "Their run game is the best in the conference if you look at yards per carry. Andy Dalton is a talented kid, he feels comfortable in the scheme and when the running game is in high gear, it opens up the throw game. Jeremy Kerley is a terrific returner and a good receiver. He is a dangerous guy and they did not have him last year for this game."Patterson on Utah’s defense: "They’re big, physical and very fast. And they’re very aggressive. They come at you. They’re not going to give you anything. You’ve got to go take whatever you want. Like any other Kyle Whittingham defense they’re going to come hit you in the mouth." Hughes a finalistJerry Hughes was named one of four finalists for the prestigious Rotary Lombardi Award on Tuesday. The TCU defensive end has 10.5 tackles for loss and nine sacks. The other three finalists are Alabama nose guard Terrence Cody, Oklahoma defensive tackle Gerald McCoy and Nebraska defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh. The award will be presented to the winner during a ceremony Dec. 9 in Houston.Key stat6.5 The average point differential in the four games between TCU and Utah in Mountain West Conference play since 2005. TCU is 1-5 all-time against Utah.Will call adviceWith a sellout crowd converging on Amon G. Carter Stadium, Horned Frogs fans are strongly encouraged to pick up their will call tickets at the Daniel-Meyer Coliseum ticket window early in the week. The will call window is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (an hour later this week), plus it will be open for the duration of Wednesday’s TCU women’s exhibition basketball game at 5:30 p.m. and the men’s basketball season opener at 7 p.m. Friday.The will call window will open at 8 a.m. Saturday. Also, fans are encouraged to arrive at Amon G. Carter Stadium early for the 6:30 p.m. game Saturday to avoid long lines at the gates.ONLINE: star-telegram.com/tcuStefan Stevenson, 817-390-7760
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