TCU preview: Inside the matchup against Stephen F. Austin
TCU secondary vs. SFA quarterback Zach Conque
Conque, the son of SFA head coach Clint Conque, was the Southland Conference newcomer of the year in 2014 after throwing for 2,733 yards and 15 touchdowns. He threw for 297 yards and a touchdown in last week’s 34-28 loss to Northern Arizona and also ran for 68 yards. The TCU secondary struggled at times against the Gophers last week as Kenny Iloka, Denzel Johnson and Nick Orr each made their first collegiate starts. That means the Frogs may have to rely on veterans Derrick Kindred and Ranthony Texada again. Kindred had nine total tackles against Minnesota, which totaled 197 passing yards vs. the Frogs.
TCU defense vs. the injury bug
The Frogs played Minnesota without two of their top defenders — defensive end James McFarland and defensive tackle Davion Pierson. The news is even worse against the Lumberjacks. Freshman linebacker Mike Freeze is taking a leave of absence, defensive end James McFarland will undergo surgery next week for a broken toe and linebacker Sammy Douglas is out for the season with an injury he suffered at Minnesota. McFarland led the Frogs with seven sacks last season. Converted fullback Paul Whitmill and safeties Montrel Wilson and Travin Howard have been moved to linebacker.
TCU receivers vs. SFA secondary
The Lumberjacks struggled to stop the pass against Arizona, allowing 303 passing yards and three touchdowns. The Frogs have a much more potent offense than NAU offers and now they’ve had a game to get into gear. Senior Josh Doctson wasn’t happy with his play last week, and he had eight catches for 74 yards and a touchdown. An unhappy Doctson, plus veteran Kolby Listenbee could have a big game along with Emmanuel Porter, Dez White and Ty Slanina.
Did you know?
TCU running backs coach Curtis Luper received his bachelor’s degree and master’s degrees from Stephen F. Austin.
The Lumberjacks were picked second in the Southland Conference preseason polls according to the league’s sports information directors and fourth by the coaches.
Former SFA running back Gus Johnson signed a free-agent contract with the Dallas Cowboys and was the leading rusher for the Cowboys during the preseason.
TCU is 13-0 in home openers under Gary Patterson.
SFA is 0-8 all-time against Big 12 schools.
We don’t take any team too lightly. SFA is a really good football team. They were in the [FCS] playoffs last year. We approach every opponent the same.
TCU running back Kyle Hicks
Streaking
TCU quarterback Trevone Boykin extended his streak of games with a touchdown pass to 16 games — the best in the nation — with an 11-yard pass to Josh Doctson last week.
The Frogs have scored in 281 consecutive games, the second longest streak in football (Florida, 335). If the Frogs score Saturday, they’ll move past Texas and take sole possession of the fourth-longest streak in NCAA history.
Tarrant ties
5 SFA players are from Tarrant County. Sophomore tight end Will Taylor (Euless Trinity) is listed as the starter on the team’s two-deep roster.
The basics
When: 2:30 p.m. Saturday
Where: Amon G. Carter Stadium, Fort Worth (45,000)
Records: Stephen F. Austin (0-1); TCU (1-0)
Last week: SFA lost Northern Arizona 34-28; TCU beat Minnesota 23-17
Series record: TCU leads 1-0
Last meeting: TCU won 67-7 in Fort Worth in 2008
TV: Fox Sports 1
Radio: WBAP 820 AM and KTCU 88.7 FM
Forecast: 84 with a 20 percent chance of rain
Point spread: No line according to vegasinsider.com
This story was originally published September 9, 2015 at 3:56 PM with the headline "TCU preview: Inside the matchup against Stephen F. Austin."