Patterson: TCU defense better, but still ‘bit out of control’

The TCU defense improved its tackling from Week 1 to Week 2 but is still playing “a little bit out of control,” coach Gary Patterson said.

“Great defenses play quick, but they don’t look out of control,” Patterson said Monday during the Big 12 coaches conference call with reporters. “And we’re still a little bit out of control.”

The Horned Frogs gave up touchdowns on the final three possessions by Arkansas on Saturday night, one in regulation and two in overtime. The Razorbacks drove 58 yards in four plays to tie the game and 25 yards on three and four plays to win the game in two overtimes.

TCU has allowed 41 points in three consecutive games — the Alamo Bowl and both games this season. That includes five overtime periods.

“We tackled better,” Patterson said of last week’s game. “That was the biggest thing. Only allowed six points, two field goals, basically on defense in the first half and 142 yards against what I think is going to be a pretty good offense. ... We have to keep getting better, and I think we will as long as we stay healthy.”

This story was originally published September 12, 2016 at 1:09 PM with the headline "Patterson: TCU defense better, but still ‘bit out of control’."