TCU’s defense in search of one thing – takeaways

TCU’s defense has done plenty of good things through four games.

The Frogs are the Big 12’s best team in opposing third-down conversions (27.6 percent); rank second in sacks (11); and have seen individual success such as defensive tackle Corey Bethley being tied for the league lead in tackles for loss (six) and safety Innis Gaines ranking fourth in passes defended (seven).

But something has been missing – takeaways. The defense hasn’t forced a takeaway in the last two games, losses to Ohio State and Texas, and want to change that against Iowa State on Saturday night.

Winning the turnover margin is among the biggest differences when it comes to wins and losses, so it’s not surprising TCU has lost two straight considering it went 0-7 in the turnover battle.

Coach Gary Patterson explained part of the reason for the lack of takeaways of late after the Frogs forced four in season-opening wins over Southern and SMU.

“We had more early because we played more zone and the last couple of games we’ve played more man and with man you’re not going to get as many takeaways,” Patterson said. “You’ve got to get them off the field. It has helped us in the third down category (playing man) but it hasn’t helped us with the other side of it.

“We’ve got to do a better job of doing that stuff. We play man under and you don’t have guys watching the quarterback, you have them watching their guy. You can blitz and not letting them throw as quick.”

TCU is focused on getting back on track, but is trying not to view it as a “frustrating thing.”

“I think going into the game, you can’t look at things that frustrate you, you have to go in there with the mindset that we’re going to do something about it,” said senior defensive end Ben Banogu, who forced a fumble at SMU in Week 2.

“We have a game coming up with Iowa State and that’s a good opportunity to get some turnovers and do the things we haven’t been doing these last couple of weeks. It’s an opportunity to make it happen.”

It won’t be easy against Iowa State. The Cyclones have turned the ball over just four times this season. When TCU played at Iowa State last season, the Frogs forced just one takeaway, an interception by Jeff Gladney, compared to three forced by the Cyclones.

It’s an area that TCU knows it must improve upon, though.

“It’s just something that we just have to be better at as a defense, working at it just to help our offense out,” said linebacker Garret Wallow, who leads the team with 28 tackles.

“It’s not as much of a frustrating thing. It’s just something that we know it’s another step that we have to take to give ourselves ability to win games.”