TCU coach Gary Patterson says Shawn Robinson is the starting QB, ‘isn’t going to panic’

TCU quarterback Shawn Robinson has turned the ball over six times in the last two games against Ohio State and Texas. The Frogs have blown halftime leads in each game.

But coach Gary Patterson made it clear that Robinson is TCU’s quarterback. Robinson has battled a shoulder injury of late, but is expected to practice this week and start against Iowa State on Saturday night.

There is no quarterback controversy. There is no thought of bumping backup Michael Collins into a starting role.

“Nobody is panicking,” Patterson said on Tuesday. “Nobody is going anywhere. [We’re] going about our business. We’re going to grow people up. We’re going to get ready to go. That’s the way we’ve done things here.

“The bottom line to it – you make really bad decisions if you panic.”

Patterson isn’t panicking, and neither is Robinson. Robinson has shown poise beyond his years so far in his college career, never getting rattled by poor throws or decisions. He has displayed an ability to bounce back.

That’s why Patterson isn’t worried about Robinson’s confidence level after the turnover-prone losses. In fact, Patterson revealed his secret in handling quarterbacks.

“You can’t treat quarterbacks like girlfriends,” Patterson said, smiling. “You can’t. You just try to manage all that stuff. Less is better when you’re having conversations. It works for me at home – less is better.

“If you want to stay out of hot water, less is better. Just say, ‘Yes, dear.’ But I don’t expect my quarterbacks to say, ‘Yes, dear,’ though.”

All joking aside, Robinson is harder on himself for poor play than the coaching staff. And, truth be told, he’s played well enough much of the past two weeks to put TCU in a position to win.

It’s just a couple third-quarter stretches where Robinson and the Frogs have fallen apart that doomed them.

Ohio State scored 20 unanswered in a four-minute stretch two weeks ago to take the lead and pull away. Texas scored two touchdowns in less than 20 seconds to flip the game last weekend.

To Patterson, Robinson might’ve tried to do too much even though TCU was ahead. All five of Robinson’s interceptions this season have come in the second half, including four in the third quarter with TCU leading (or trailing by one point) at the time.

“Younger players are, well, I didn’t make enough great plays the first half,” Patterson said. “Well, no, against really good teams you’re not going to have that many great plays. You’re going to have good plays. You’re going to have good plays that you earn and what the defense or offense gives you.”

Patterson has coached long enough to know young quarterbacks such as Robinson struggle early on. Growing pains are part of the development process.

Andy Dalton threw more interceptions (11) than touchdowns (10) as a redshirt freshman in 2007. Patterson implemented an “Andy Dalton rule” that season where he’d pull Dalton if he threw an interception.

Dalton went on to be one of the most successful quarterbacks in school history, leading the team to an undefeated season and Rose Bowl victory in 2010. Casey Pachall, Trevone Boykin and Kenny Hill endured similar struggles early on in their college careers.

“They all ended up being good quarterbacks and they all had their moments when they were younger,” Patterson said. “I don’t want [Robinson] to quit playing the way he’s been playing.”

For the season, Robinson is completing 61 percent of his passes (74-of-122) for 841 yards with six touchdowns and five interceptions. He’s also rushed for 176 yards and three touchdowns on 27 carries, and shown his elusiveness in the pocket by being sacked just three times (all in the Ohio State game).

Robinson’s teammates feel he’s just going to keep getting better with more experience.

“Shawn is getting better every day,” senior defensive end Ben Banogu said. “One thing that I talked to him about is he’s young, so he’s going to go through situations where things don’t look as bright as how they might’ve in high school.

“One thing I tell him is there is a new down every time you go out there. There is a new drive to face. There is a new team to play. For him, it’s just learning from his mistakes and going out there and trying to be smarter and more efficient when he’s out there.”