TCU ‘awfully physical,’ getting legs back, Gary Patterson says

Last week, TCU coach Gary Patterson didn’t like the way his team was handling the heat in the afternoon practices.

It made for extra work inside, which annoyed the veteran head coach. But now that extra indoor time, combined with cool temperatures this week, may be paying off.

“We’ve been awfully physical. It’s good,” Patterson said. “You know, our legs are coming back. It’s interesting. We’ve gotten our heat, but I’ve gone inside more than we ever have, and really probably had less problems injury-wise, and we’ve gotten our legs back.”

Patterson said the Horned Frogs had a 140-play scrimmage Tuesday, allowing each string to get almost 50 snaps.

He said it’s clear that some of the players have some spring in their legs, particularly freshman running back Darius Anderson.

“So we’ll see,” he said. “The key will be, can we play in the fourth quarter like people are used to seeing us?”

Quarterback update

Patterson offered little when asked what the quarterbacks were doing well in the scrimmages.

“Lately we’re having too many penalties,” he said. “We’re running the offense faster. We’ve been trading a lot of personnel groups. … It’s been a great battle, to be honest with you.”

Patterson said one more scrimmage remains.

He said two weeks ago that he’d like to have a starter in place about 10 days before the first game, which would be this time next week.

Hicks and Co.

Patterson said there’s a separation between Kyle Hicks and the rest of the running backs, but they’re all needed.

“I think they all have their place,” Patterson said. “They’ll have their place in the offense, what they do and how they do it. I think Kyle’s a lot different than what the other guys are.”

Without Shaun Nixon, who is missing the year because of knee injury, the backups to Hicks are Anderson, junior Trevorris Johnson, senior transfer Derrick Green and freshman Sewo Olonilua.

Patterson said Johnson has helped himself by losing weight to get down in the 220s.

“Each one of them has a strength, so you use them as their strength needs to be used,” Patterson said.

Briefly

▪ Patterson said linebacker Travin Howard will be at practice next week but will not get contact. Howard has been out since the start of camp after what Patterson called an “emergency-type” medical issue. According to a person close to the team, Howard required an appendectomy.

▪ Freshman Lucas Niang has emerged as the primary backup offensive tackle, Patterson said. Niang, listed at 6-foot-6 and 295 pounds when he signed out of New Canaan, Conn., is up to 320-330 pounds, the coach said.

▪ Freshman Innis Gaines has made a good impression at strong safety lately, Patterson said.

▪ Freshman defensive end Gary Overshown will likely redshirt, Patterson said.

This story was originally published August 17, 2016 at 7:46 PM with the headline "TCU ‘awfully physical,’ getting legs back, Gary Patterson says."