TCU football analysis: Takeaways from final scrimmage of fall camp
TCU wrapped up fall camp with its final scrimmage Saturday at Amon Carter Stadium.
While not as physical as the first one, it was still an informative scrimmage as the Horned Frogs worked through multiple game-like scenarios in preparation for the season opener at North Carolina on Labor Day.
It was a mixed bag. There were stretches of sloppy play on offense and special teams, but there were also some big plays that pleased head coach Sonny Dykes.
Here are four takeaways from TCU’s final practice of fall camp:
Flag fest
The biggest difference between the two scrimmages were the self-inflicted mistakes by the offense. The Horned Frogs had at least five holding penalties Saturday. The first came on a 30-yard reception by Ed Small that moved the second-team offense near the red zone. The Horned Frogs were forced to settle for a 33-yard field goal.
The first-team offense also had a similar scenario play out after getting into the red zone. The starters had holding and offensive pass interference called on back-to-back plays, pushing the unit back into a second-and-35 and eventually forcing a long field goal.
Limiting penalties should be a major emphasis during the Horned Frogs’ preparation for the Tar Heels.
Joseph Manjack’s arrival
Senior receiver Joseph Manjack was an important pickup for TCU out of the transfer portal as the Horned Frogs had hopes the Houston transfer could be a plug-and-play replacement for second-round NFL draft pick Jack Bech. Manjack was slowed with a bad case of poison ivy at the beginning of fall camp, but finally got back into the mix and had his best practice Saturday.
Manjack had four receptions for nearly 90 yards during the scrimmage and was the most productive player on offense. He caught a 24-yard crossing route to spark a drive and had another catch that went for nearly 35 yards on the sideline. Manjack said earlier in the week that he still needed to play himself into shape after being sidelined for so long, and it looks like he is rounding into form at the right time.
Special team woes continue
There’s no sugarcoating it, the Horned Frogs have issues on special teams after another rough day by the unit. While sophomore kicker Kyle Lemmermann made his first field goal attempt, he missed his next two.
The first miss was a 52-yarder; Lemmermann had the leg strength, but it sailed wide left. The miss came on the drive with the back-to-back penalties that moved the offense back to a second-and-35.
His next miss came while TCU was working on its bazooka field goal package, a late-game situation where the Horned Frogs rush the field goal team on the field for a last second attempt with no timeouts. Lemmermann missed a 40-yard try.
Another miscue came during sophomore Nate McCashland’s turn to kick. A bad snap resulted in a block, but the defense was lined up offsides. The second-team offense had a fourth-and-goal at the 4, but senior quarterback Ken Seals’ pass was short of the sticks.
The Horned Frogs need Lemmermann to find his confidence quickly, or they made need to consider other options.
Quick hitters
Sophomore running back Jeremy Payne had a solid scrimmage as he set up the second-team offense’s first scoring drive with nearly 30 yards on three carries. Payne showcased his big-play potential and improving vision and was the most productive running back during the scrimmage.
Senior Kevorian Barnes still took the majority of the reps with the first team and appears to have the inside track to start. Payne will likely be used as a change-of-pace back to complement Barnes, who scored a short touchdown during the scrimmage. Freshman Nate Palmer also had a 27-yard run and could be in line to be the third running back behind Barnes and Payne.
The lone forced turnover of the scrimmage came from sophomore safety Jordan Lester, who played extensively Saturday as the coaching staff rested senior Bud Clark. Lester intercepted freshman quarterback Adam Schobel when he went up and over a receiver to reel the ball in. Sophomores Kaden McFadden and Kylin Jackson were two more reserve safeties who had solid scrimmages. McFadden had a pass breakup and nearly pulled off an interception, and Jackson continued to cause havoc at the line of scrimmage and drew a holding penalty.
Freshman wide receiver Jacobe Hayes had another highlight play as he reeled in a one-handed catch for more than 30 yards on the sideline.
The offense’s best stretch came during 7-on-7 action, when junior starting quarterback Josh Hoover tossed three touchdowns to senior receiver Eric McAlister, junior receiver Jordan Dwyer and senior tight end DJ Rogers.
The Horned Frogs have the next two days off before returning to practice Tuesday.
