TCU takeaways: Loss to Iowa State shows Frogs have work to do in the trenches
TCU looked like a team that lost its top three offensive tackles and top interior offensive lineman from last season. It also looked like a team that is coming off a season in which it produced just 22 sacks and lost a defensive tackle taken 40th overall in the NFL Draft.
In other words, there’s plenty of work to be done in the trenches for the Horned Frogs. That much became evident in a 37-34 loss to Iowa State to open the 2020 season on Saturday afternoon at Amon G. Carter Stadium.
“At the end of the day, we’ve got to do a lot better job against bigger, physical teams,” TCU coach Gary Patterson said afterward.
Most should have expected growing pains for the O-line given the amount of turnover the unit faced. It lost the top tackles from last season (Lucas Niang, Anthony McKinney and David Bolisomi), top interior lineman (Cordel Iwuagwu) and position coach Chris Thomsen.
Iowa State took advantage of an inexperienced TCU line by registering six sacks on the day, including four in the first half when TCU sophomore Matthew Downing made his first college start. TCU’s O-line was also called for five penalties on the day.
Patterson hoped the unit would have fared better against ISU’s three-man front, but Downing and Max Duggan were under constant pressure.
“We’re going to see a four-man rush next week [at Texas],” Patterson said. “You’ve got to give them a little credit — those are pretty good players. But, at the end of the day, you’ve got to be able to block them. We’ve got to do more to get those guys better between now and then.”
TCU shuffled multiple players along the O-line throughout the day. Austin Myers started at left tackle and got most of the reps, although T.J. Storment saw action there too. Andrew Coker started at right tackle, but some of those reps also went to Brandon Coleman. Esteban Avila started at center, but Coy McMillon saw action there as well. The starting guards were Wes Harris and Quazzel White.
As far as the D-line and creating pressure on the QB, TCU had no sacks in the first half and finished with two on the day. The unit clearly missed defensive tackle Terrell Cooper, the player expected to replace current Houston Texans DT Ross Blacklock. Cooper was having a great training camp before an injury, Patterson said.
Linebacker Garret Wallow had a strip-sack that led to a defensive touchdown and starting end Parker Workman finished with one sack. Defensive tackle Corey Bethley had a QB hit.
As Wallow said, “We have to play better as a defense. … It comes down to execution. We have to execute our defense better. We can’t give away big plays. We have to find ways to force turnovers and get the ball back to our offense.”
Other takeaways from the game:
QB situation
Those on hand at Saturday’s game were pleased to see Duggan enter the game in the second half, replacing Downing. Duggan started off slow with his first two drives ending in punts, but eventually settled in.
Duggan finished 16 of 19 for 241 yards passing with three touchdowns and one interception. The interception came at the most inopportune time (is there ever an opportune time for a giveaway?) as TCU had a chance for a go-ahead score. Duggan’s pass bounced off Taye Barber’s hands and knee and into the out-stretched arms of ISU LB Mike Rose.
It was a great play by Rose and one that proved to be a game-sealing one when ISU’s offense turned the takeaway into a TD.
Duggan certainly looks like the QB going forward, but Patterson wasn’t ready to commit to that afterward.
“I don’t know that question,” Patterson said. “I haven’t talked to the offensive staff. We will talk tomorrow once we watch the film.”
Newcomers impact
Wide receiver Quentin Johnston made his presence felt early, scoring on a 37-yard pass from Downing in the second quarter. And give Downing credit for staying in the pocket and making the throw while taking a shot afterward.
Johnston finished with two catches for 50 yards.
Freshman running back Kendre Miller had three carries for 14 yards. JD Spielman, meanwhile, had a nice punt return to set up a TD drive.
Defensively, Marcel Brooks was credited with two tackles.
Wondering aloud
I wonder if TCU will find ways to get Spielman more involved. His numbers at Nebraska were impressive, but he had just three offensive touches (two receptions, one rush). … I wonder when we’ll see freshman RB Zach Evans, the prized five-star recruit. TCU had nine players rush the ball on Saturday, and Evans wasn’t one of them. … I wonder if TCU will get tight ends involved more this season. Artayvious Lynn had a great day, highlighted by a 48-yard TD reception. … I wonder how Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson will bounce back from a rough day. Going off what Patterson said after the game and being LaDainian Tomlinson’s nephew, there should be little concern. … I wonder what to expect from TCU next week at Texas. After all, who would’ve thought K-State would knock off Oklahoma in Norman? The same K-State team that lost to Arkansas State two weeks ago. Iowa State had a similar bounceback after falling to Louisiana. Hey, don’t forget that Patterson is 6-2 against Texas since TCU joined the Big 12.
This story was originally published September 26, 2020 at 8:07 PM.
