Why playing in Houston will be a special moment for these TCU football players
For some Horned Frogs, playing in Houston on Saturday against the No. 25 Cougars will be a special occasion.
TCU wide receiver Joseph Manjack IV and running back Jeremy Payne have an opportunity to play in their hometown in front of dozens of friends and family members while also battling one of the best teams in the Big 12.
For Manjack in particular, Saturday’s game will be special, as he faces his former team. He spent three seasons in Houston before transferring to TCU this offseason, and the senior is looking forward to getting back to a place where he had plenty of fond memories.
“I was there three years, and I was able to get my degree,” Manjack said. “I was grateful for that and was able to make my mom proud getting it.”
Manjack tried his best to keep a business-first mindset, but admitted he still keeps in touch with his former teammates and is looking forward to facing off against some of Houston’s defensive backs.
“Latrell McCutchin and Kentrell Webb, they’re returning, and they’ll be out there this Saturday,” Manjack said. “We see them on tape, and [my teammates] will say, ‘How does this guy do this?’ and I’ll give my details I know about them. Regardless, we’ll have to go out there and strain and compete when the time comes.”
Manjack grew up in Tomball, about 45 minutes north of Houston, and he’s also hoping to find a way to get all of his family into the game.
“I’m going to need some tickets,” Manjack said with a laugh. “I’m glad my parents don’t have to drive four hours. It’s just 30 minutes to get to the game. It’s going to be good for them and my family members that don’t get to come to all of the games as well. I’m probably not going to have enough tickets for them, but hopefully they can come to the game.”
For Payne, it’s a chance to get plenty of carries near his hometown of Missouri City, located about 30 minutes south of Houston.
The Horned Frogs will be without leading rusher Kevorian Barnes, and running back Trent Battle was also listed as questionable on the initial player availability report, which means Payne is line for maybe his biggest role of the season.
“I’m very excited. A lot of my coaches from high school, a lot of family are coming down to watch me,” Payne said. “It’s going to be a great experience watching all of my family come down and support me.”
Payne starred at Hightower High and molded himself into a four-star running back before he signed with TCU. Not only will facing the Cougars be a sort of homecoming for him, it’ll also be a full-circle moment after getting an increased role against Houston last season in TCU’s 30-19 defeat.
The sophomore is motivated to help the Horned Frogs get a different outcome Saturday.
“Yeah, I’m motivated. Last year that was actually my first start,” Payne said. “When I scored it was a very good experience because it was the first touchdown of my career.”
Facing Houston’s underrated defense, the Horned Frogs will likely need a big performance from either Payne or Manjack to pull off the upset. Payne has rushed for 273 yards and two touchdowns this season, and Manjack has made 27 receptions for 397 yards and two scores.
Manjack said he has seen a lot of growth in his old team, as Houston has gone from winning four games last season to eight this year. It’ll be a daunting challenge, but he said he believes TCU is ready for the pivotal matchup.
“They got a lot of new transfer guys in there that I’ve seen,” Manjack said. “They’ve done a good job of winning games, good for them. But we go against them this week, and we’re going down there to get a win ourselves.”
