TCU football has to get the passing game going against Oklahoma, Gary Patterson says
TCU football had the Big 12’s best rushing attack in 2020. The Horned Frogs continue to establish the run in 2021, averaging 236.4 yards per game. They just knocked off Texas Tech by running it 47 times compared to 10 pass attempts.
It would seem like TCU has gone all-in on a smashmouth offense and would make it a priority to do so once again at No. 4 Oklahoma on Saturday night. But TCU coach Gary Patterson cautioned that’s easier said than done against OU.
“We’re just going to find ways to win. These guys don’t allow you to run the ball because they move the box,” Patterson said. “You’re going to have to be able to throw the ball to be able to move the football.”
Throwing the football doesn’t exactly play into TCU’s strengths, especially with quarterback Max Duggan battling an undisclosed injury and top receiver Quentin Johnston dealing with his own injury. Another top receiving option, senior JD Spielman, was sidelined for the Tech game, too.
Patterson listed Duggan and Johnston as questionable for the game, but those are two significant pieces to TCU’s passing attack. The Frogs have the eighth-ranked passing offense in the Big 12, averaging 209.8 yards per game.
As Patterson alluded to, though, OU has the worst pass defense in the Big 12. The Sooners are allowing 265.8 yards per game through the air. On the ground, OU has one of the top run defenses by allowing 91 yards per game.
But TCU is built to run the ball with Zach Evans, Kendre Miller and the offensive line. UT’s Bijan Robinson had success running against OU in the Red River Showdown last week, finishing with 137 yards and one TD on 20 carries.
Maybe Evans, Miller and company can produce similar results for TCU. OU coach Lincoln Riley is certainly aware of what Evans brings to the table.
“Zach’s a really good player. Physically gifted kid, seems like he’s really settled in with them and they’re doing a great job of using him in different ways,” Riley said. “He’s got a great combination of strength and speed and running aggressive. He’s done a really nice job. He’s tough to tackle. We’ve faced some pretty good running backs here the last couple of weeks and certainly have another big challenge on our hands with Zach.”
Whatever TCU decides its offensive identity should become this weekend in Norman, the players will embrace it.
As offensive lineman Brandon Coleman said, “I don’t really think about what our game plan is going to be. Our coaches switch it up every week and we try to fill out that plan as best we can on the offensive line and on offense. The coaches will prepare us and then we execute on the field.”
Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. Saturday in Norman.
This story was originally published October 13, 2021 at 6:00 AM.
