TCU’s Lathan to play Saturday, Listenbee day-to-day
More help is on the way for the TCU.
Defensive end Terrell Lathan is expected to play Saturday against Kansas State, TCU coach Gary Patterson said Wednesday, after the senior missed two and a half games with an undisclosed injury sustained in a win over SMU.
However, senior wide receiver Kolby Listenbee remains questionable. After leaving the SMU game with a lower-body injury, Listenbee has suited up for the past two games, but has not played.
Listenbee’s 10.04-second time in the 100 meters has been an asset in stretching the field for TCU. He also has the highest average yards per catch on the team at 22.4, but Patterson said he likes the way the offense has adjusted without its track star.
“Some ways, I think we move the chain better because we don’t take those shots, to be honest with you. Sometimes you hit it and sometimes you’re second-and-10. We’re moving the chains better when it’s [Ja’Juan] Story and those other guys.”
Patterson also mentioned two unnamed offensive linemen have been working through ankle injuries this week, but he expected both to play Saturday.
Cornerback Torrance Mosley could also see some action, but freshman Julius Lewis of Mansfield will most likely be Corry O’Meally’s backup Saturday.
Probably, you’ll see the light go on — you’ll really start to see improvement when we get the week off before West Virginia. You get a chance to catch your breath.
TCU coach Gary Patterson on the upcoming bye week
Defense growing
Patterson said his inexperienced defense is continuing to learn the weekly routine in preparing for a Big 12 game. Their confidence showed in TCU’s 50-7 win over Texas when he was able to send a few blitzes into the backfield, he said.
“Finally we’re getting to where, hopefully, we can still blitz this week, too,” he said.
TCU has a bye after next week’s game at Iowa State, which Patterson hopes will be a mental halftime for the defense.
“Probably, you’ll see the light go on — you’ll really start to see improvement when we get the week off before West Virginia,” he said. “You get a chance to catch your breath.”
K-State QB concerns
The injury bug hasn’t been exclusive to TCU. Kansas State has been forced to use several players at quarterback, including receiver-turned-quarterback Kody Cook, who threw for two TDs and 122 yards in a 26-22 loss to Oklahoma State.
For Patterson, it doesn’t matter who’s playing quarterback, he knows coach Bill Snyder will stick to the same formula.
“I think they’ll do the same thing they’ve always done,” Patterson said. “They run what they run. They do what they do. They always plug someone in.”
He was the hardest guy in my 33 years to cover. Last year, you didn’t notice because we got ahead and you could play over the top and play man under and do things. But when we’ve had to play him one-on-one, it was no fun.
Patterson on former Kansas State receiver Tyler Lockett
Lockett gone
One less worry this week for Patterson is former Kansas State wide receiver Tyler Lockett.
“He was the hardest guy in my 33 years to cover,” Patterson said. “Last year, you didn’t notice because we got ahead and you could play over the top and play man under and do things. But when we’ve had to play him one-on-one, it was no fun.”
Lockett caught 106 passes for 1,515 yards and 11 touchdowns last season before he was drafted in the third round by the Seattle Seahawks. Lockett has 136 return yards with a TD and has caught 10 passes for 109 yards.
This story was originally published October 7, 2015 at 9:53 PM with the headline "TCU’s Lathan to play Saturday, Listenbee day-to-day."