How does Shawn Robinson’s first five games compare to other TCU QBs?
TCU isn’t happy about its two-game losing streak. Coach Gary Patterson and his staff have focused on the reasons why the Frogs have endured second-half collapses against Ohio State and Texas, and are determined to fix it with Iowa State visiting on Saturday.
The Frogs return to Amon G. Carter Stadium for the first time since Sept. 1, and will be looking to extend their home winning streak to eight games. Here’s five things to watch going into it –
1. Robinson’s rebound. Quarterback Shawn Robinson has turned the ball over six times in the last two games. He’s thrown five interceptions so far – all in the second half. That’s part of the developmental process of a young quarterback.
Don’t forget that Saturday will be Robinson’s sixth career start. Here’s a quick look at how Robinson’s first five starts compare to other notable TCU quarterbacks such as Andy Dalton and Trevone Boykin, courtesy of TCU’s sports information director Mark Cohen –
▪ Andy Dalton, 2007 – 80-132, 60.6 pct., 833 yards, 3 TD, 3 INT, 116.57 Eff.
▪ Trevone Boykin, 2012 – 104-183, 56.8 pct., 1,302 yards, 12 TD, 7 INT, 130.58 Effic.
▪ Shawn Robinson, 2017-18 – 80-139, 57.6 pct., 926 yards 7 TD, 6 INT, 121.50 Effic.
Dalton and Boykin went on to have great college careers, and there’s no reason to doubt Robinson won’t follow suit. He’s shown flashes of brilliance, connecting on deep balls and using his legs to score touchdowns and extend plays.
Saturday will be interesting to see how Robinson bounces back. He’s shown poise beyond his years early on in his career, and Patterson made it clear the team won’t “panic” during Robinson’s growth.
2. Turn on the jets. Darius Anderson got a little banged up in the second half against Texas last week, but is expected to be good to go for the Iowa State game. That’s welcomed news for TCU.
Anderson is a home-run threat every time he touches the ball. After all, this is a guy who set the school record (as well as having the biggest play from scrimmage against Ohio State) with a 93-yard TD run.
Anderson was held to just 15 yards on eight carries against the Longhorns, and must get going again this week. Despite that disappointing game at Texas, Anderson is still averaging 7.4 yards a carry.
Anderson led the team with 95 rushing yards on 12 carries last season in Ames, Iowa.
Patterson talked about how Iowa State forces teams to “grind-it-out” and establishing a running game will go a long ways for TCU.
3. Containing big WRs. Iowa State has had a penchant for taller wide receivers of late, and it provides a stiff challenge for TCU.
Allen Lazard had a 100-yard receiving game for the Cyclones in their upset of the Frogs last season. This year, Iowa State boasts other tall receiving threats such as 6-foot-6 Hakeem Butler.
TCU struggled containing Texas’ biggest receiver, 6-foot-6 Collin Johnson, last week. The Frogs’ cornerbacks give up several inches to these players. This will be another challenge for the defense.
“We always work at practice, just going against big receivers at practice,” linebacker Garret Wallow said. “It’s just playing football. You’ve got to be smart on how you play them and just play them with leverage and everything.”
4. Bethley’s impact. TCU is missing defensive tackle Ross Blacklock. He’s an NFL talent that plugged up the interior of the D-line. But how good has fellow DT Corey Bethley been as a sophomore?
Bethley is tied for the Big 12 lead in tackles for loss with six, and has shined in the under tackle position in Patterson’s 4-2-5 defense. Having a disruptive force in the interior only benefits the edge rushers such as Ben Banogu, Ty Summers and L.J. Collier.
As Banogu put it, “When you have a guy in the middle, in the heart of the D-line disrupting and causing pressures and bringing attention to him, it just opens everyone up. Not only with the D-line but also with the linebackers and safeties. The faster you get to the quarterback, the more pressure you can cause, the quicker he has to get the ball out.
“In the run game, he’s continuing to block and he’s taking care of his one-11. It’s up to us to capitalize on that for him. If he’s doing all that stuff, it’s up to us.”
5. Turpin time? TCU had 28 NFL scouts at practice earlier this week, and all of them asked Patterson about 5-foot-9, 157-pounder KaVontae Turpin. Turpin has special abilities in the return and passing game.
Turpin had a season-high 68 receiving yards on three catches last week at Texas, as well as posting his longest kickoff return (31 yards). Turpin is an exciting player, and TCU has to find ways to get him the ball.
Turpin scored the only touchdown for the Frogs against the Cyclones last season, returning the second-half opening kickoff 94 yards for a score.