TCU Horned Frogs vs. Baylor Bears: Defense and Trevone Boykin Lead Romp
It has not been a good couple of weeks for the TCU Horned Frogs. Starting quarterback Casey Pachall was arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated (DWI), and then they lost to Iowa State at home, which snapped their nation leading twelve game winning streak. The loss to Iowa and the collective responsibility for giving up that record obviously inspired the TCU squad because they played with a palpable intensity against Baylor. Despite playing in Baylor’s stadium, the TCU Horned Frogs trounced the Bears 49-21.
Oct 13, 2012; Waco, TX, USA; Baylor Bears quarterback Nick Florence (11) is hit by TCU Horned Frogs linebacker Joel Hasley (36) and safety Sam Carter (17) during the second quarter at Floyd Casey Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-US PRESSWIRE
TCU’s defense looked aggressive and confident from the first possession. The Horned Frogs defense forced six Baylor turnovers. They picked off Baylor quarterback Nick Florence four times. They were flying around all over the field, wreaking havoc on Florence and the Baylor offense. Of course, they were only on the field for less than twenty minutes. That’s right. The TCU defense was on the field for 18 minutes, 8 seconds (18:08). TCU already has a really stout defense. But when the offense maintains possession for that long and the defense is rested, most offenses will struggle to move the ball or score points..
TCU’s defense was able to stay rested and off the field because the offense was efficient. The Horned Frogs put together possibly their best offensive game of the year. Baylor’s defense could not get TCU off the field when it mattered. TCU converted 14 out of 19 third down conversions. The success the Frogs had on offense made them confident, and eventually the offense played like they could just impose their will on the defense. Converting all of those third downs helped TCU dominate the time of possession(41:52). When an offense maintains possession of the football for that long, they rarely lose games.
Oct 13, 2012; Waco, TX, USA; TCU Horned Frogs quarterback Trevone Boykin (2) comes off the field after defeating the Baylor Bears at Floyd Casey Stadium. The Frogs defeated the Bears 49-21. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-US PRESSWIRE
Redshirt freshman QB Trevone Boykin played very good, throwing for 261 yards and four touchdowns. He also ran for an additional 56 yards and a touchdown. More importantly, the young QB didn’t turn the ball over once. TCU is going to need more performances like that from Boykin the rest of the year, because he is now their man. Former starting QB Casey Pachall checked himself into a rehab center, and he has left TCU. The hopes of the season now rest on the freshman Trevone Boykin who has looked pretty good so far this year.
Boykin was aided by a very effective running attack which took the pressure off of the young quarterback’s shoulders. Fellow freshman B.J. Calaton rushed for 79 yards on seventeen carries. Aundre Dean rushed for 73 yards on fifteen carries. In total, TCU rushed for 248 yards which helped the TCU Horned Frogs offense eat up the clock. TCU may not have a RB that will have a huge breakout game and rush for over one hundred yards, but they do have several RB’s who are effective as a group. The performance from the platoon of backs like the one TCU got Saturday will go a long way in helping TCU be successful in the Big 12 this year.
Oct 13, 2012; Waco, TX, USA; TCU Horned Frogs running back Aundre Dean (30) jumps over Baylor Bears cornerback Chance Casey (9) during the third quarter at Floyd Casey Stadium. The Frogs defeated the Bears 49-21. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-US PRESSWIRE
This week, the TCU Horned Frogs return home to face Texas Tech (they are coming off of a huge 49-14 upset win over West Virginia). Tech really played an exceptional game against the Mountaineers, so it may be difficult for them to duplicate that performance again, especially on the road against TCU’s defense. That being said, TCU can’t afford to take Texas Tech team lightly. If TCU can play a game like they did against the Baylor Bears, not only will they beat Texas Tech, but they’ll also put the rest of the Big 12 on notice that they are for real.