TCU football focuses on K-State’s Deuce Vaughn as it tries to reverse defensive woes
Deuce Vaughn earned the distinction of being the first Kansas State player individually named by TCU coach Gary Patterson this week.
Vaughn is the Wildcats’ electric playmaker, earning Big 12 offensive freshman of the year honors last season. He’s continuing to impress as a sophomore with the fifth-most all-purpose yards (897) in the Big 12. He’s been the bright spot for a K-State offense that ranks ninth in the 10-team Big 12 in total yards.
All eyes will be on Vaughn and if TCU’s defense can contain the shifty running back out of the backfield during Saturday’s game.
“He’s just a good football player,” Patterson said. “He blocks. He’s a coach’s son. He’s quick. He’s short, so he gets lost even in pass stuff where he comes through the line of scrimmage. He’s just a good football player, especially on turf. You can tell he’s a lot quicker.”
Vaughn had 130 all-purpose yards with two rushing touchdowns and one receiving TD in K-State’s victory at Texas Tech last weekend.
Vaughn, who is listed at 5-foot-6, 172 pounds, played his high school football at Round Rock’s Cedar Ridge. As Patterson said, he grew up in a football family. His father, Chris, coached in the college ranks for 18 seasons and is now the southeast scout for the Dallas Cowboys.
But Vaughn has made a name for himself at K-State. He’s reminiscent of Darren Sproles, another diminutive playmaker who came from the school.
To their credit, TCU contained Vaughn as a freshman last season. He finished with 43 yards on 14 carries and had one reception for 45 yards in K-State’s 21-14 victory.
But this TCU defense is reeling compared to last year’s unit. The Frogs are allowing 212.7 yards rushing a game and have been prone to give up the big play.
“It’s going to kind of have the same kind of mindset as West Virginia: ball control,” Patterson said. “Deuce is a good player at running back and they’re really physical up front.”
Outside of Vaughn, K-State’s offense is led by senior quarterback Skylar Thompson. Thompson, who didn’t play in last year’s game vs. TCU, posted solid numbers at Texas Tech last weekend. He finished 24 of 30 passing for 296 yards with one TD and no interceptions. Against OU earlier this month, he threw for 320 yards and three TDs.
But Thompson injured his knee early this season and that’s been a noticeable setback to Patterson.
“He’s struggling a little bit because he hurt his leg,” Patterson said. “You can tell it’s better to have him there because of his experience throwing the ball to the right player and he’ll try to run it a little bit. He’s a competitor. He’s won a lot of football games at Kansas State.”
Patterson’s homecoming
Patterson will be returning to his alma mater for the fifth time as TCU’s head coach. Patterson, a native of Rozel, Kansas, played at K-State in 1980-81 under Jim Dickey and then served as a graduate assistant on Dickey’s staff in 1982.
Asked if returning to Manhattan is still special, Patterson said: “It’s probably not the way you thought of it when I went back the first couple of times, but I still have friends back there that I end up seeing. Because it’s a middle of the day game, maybe a little bit Friday night after we get everything done and then getting on the bus. That’s about as much as I get the chance to when you do all that kind of stuff.
“It’s always good. Kansas will always be, even though this really became my home, Kansas is still (home). When I cross the line, I feel comfortable when I go back. A lot of good people in Kansas just like in Fort Worth and Texas.”
Patterson is 2-2 in games played in Manhattan.
Daniels back?
Senior cornerback Noah Daniels entered the season as arguably TCU’s best NFL Draft prospect. But he hasn’t done much to sustain that buzz.
Instead, Daniels has been battling lingering injuries and has played in just two games. Daniels played only a handful of snaps against West Virginia last weekend, finishing with two tackles.
“I think he’s going to have a chance,” Patterson said. “He’ll play more this year. He should’ve played more last week. It’s one of those comfortable things. You don’t want him, after two major (injuries) that have happened to him, to have a third major happen because he’s not ready for the speed of the game. He’s just got to get back to that fact.”
