TCU’s Corey Bethley is excited to face Cal again after the ‘weird’ 2018 Cheez-It Bowl
Weird.
That’s the adjective TCU defensive tackle Corey Bethley used in recalling the 2018 Cheez-It Bowl. Nobody would argue that description as the game featured nine interceptions and was played in a baseball stadium.
TCU walked away with a 10-7 overtime victory over California that night. The teams will meet again Saturday at Amon G. Carter Stadium.
Bethley is one of the few players on TCU’s roster who played in the infamous Cheez-It Bowl. The 6-foot-2, 313-pound defensive tackle had a sack in the game, but not an interception.
“I was prepared for one,” Bethley said, smiling. “Maybe this next game I’ll get one.”
TCU would take it. The Frogs are expecting another defensive battle with coach Gary Patterson calling Cal one of the best defensive teams, if not the best, TCU will face this season. The schools were supposed to meet at Cal last season as part of a home-and-home but that game never happened due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“They would’ve been one of the better defenses we played last year, if not the best,” Patterson said. “We’ve got some work to do. But we knew that a long time ago. That’s not something new.”
The good news for TCU is that its defense has Bethley back in it. This is a guy who is the team’s active leader in career starts with 30, but played only four games last season before sustaining a season-ending injury.
Bethley returned to action in TCU’s 45-3 victory over Duquesne on Saturday, starting at nose tackle. He played the three-technique most of his college career but has transitioned to the nose his final season.
“It felt great to be back out there, playing with the guys again,” said Bethley, who didn’t record a stat. “Overall it was a great time being back out there for my last go-round.”
Bethley opted to return for a “super senior” season given his injury-shortened 2020. He is looking to establish himself as an NFL prospect and would help his stock by being versatile along the defensive front by playing nose and three-technique.
The three-technique is known mostly as an inside pass rusher, a position played by the likes of Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald. The nose, meanwhile, does the “dirty work,” as Bethley put it.
“The three (technique) is more elusive and can move around and utilize his skills,” Bethley said. “The nose? You’ve got to do the dirty work. You’ve got to be the guy.
“I’ve been playing three (technique) for the past four years, so it’s kind of new playing the nose. We have to learn both, so I’m kind of picking it up and doing the best I can.”
Along with Bethley, TCU has a talented and deep defensive tackle room. Sophomore Earl Barquet emerged as the top three-technique in fall camp. Terrell Cooper is working his way back from an injury, but is an experienced option when healthy. Patrick Jenkins, Kenny Turnier and Soni Misi are also listed on the two-deep depth chart.
“We’re just finding our rotation in practice and we’re trying to figure out what guys do the best and how we can utilize their talents on the D-line,” Bethley said. “Everyone is special in their own way. We have different depth, different talent that we can utilize every game.”
This story was originally published September 7, 2021 at 5:00 AM.
