TCU Opens 2014 Season With Big Win Over Samford
The TCU Horned Frogs kicked of their 2014 season Saturday night in convincing fashion with a 48-14 win over the Samford Bulldogs. Even though Samford is not one of the top teams in the nation, this was a good win for a Horned Frogs team trying to rebound from a 2013 season they struggled in for the most part.
The Horned Frogs are a team that was entering a season looking for answers for a lot of questions on who was going to fill in for departed players. They were also a team looking to put a troublesome off season behind them.
The biggest question for this team was who was going to be the starting quarterback. Over the past few years Casey Pachall, and Trevone Boykin were the main play callers under center head coach Gary Patterson had to work with. Pachall saw his time with the Horned Frogs come to an end following last season which left Boykin as the most seasoned quarterback on the team until Matt Joeckel transferred from Texas A&M and opened up another quarterback battle.
Heading into the game Saturday night Patterson had still not committed fully on who would be the starter this season. Before the game he decided to start Boykin with Joeckel set to enter the game at the first sign of struggle. Well that struggle Patterson was prepared for did not happen.
The Horned Frogs took control of the game with their first drive scoring four times before halftime. They also continued to pour the points on
Aug 30, 2014; Fort Worth, TX, USA; TCU Horned Frogs quarterback Trevone Boykin (2) runs for a touchdown against the Samford Bulldogs during the second half at Amon G. Carter Stadium. The Horned Frogs defeated the Bulldogs 48-14. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
after intermission with four more scoring drives. By the end of the game the Horned Frogs had compiled 555 yards of total offense.
From the start of the game until early in the fourth quarter Boykin showed that he was more than capable of leading the Horned Frogs offense completing 29 of 41 passes for 320 yards and two touchdowns through the air. He also used his legs when he had to running the ball 10 times for 29 yards and one touchdown.
When the game was out of reach in the fourth quarter is when Joeckel finally got his chance to play. When he entered the game he picked up where Boykin left off completing 4 of 8 passes for 35 yards and one touchdown, but also committed one of the Horned Frogs two turnovers with an interception that was returned 55 yards for the Bulldogs final score of the game.
Wide receiver Kolby Listenbee turned out to be Boykins top receiver with 76 yards and two touchdowns despite only making three receptions. David Porter scored the other touchdown through the air to go along with five receptions for 54 yards. Ty Slanina finished the game with a team high six receptions to go with his 60 yards.
The Horned Frogs also had their running game working with seven different players carrying the ball for 200 yards and three touchdowns. Trevorris Johnson led the way for the Horned Frogs with 43 yards and one touchdown while only carrying the ball eight times. B.J. Catalon also had a touchdown to go with 10 carries and 38 yards.
To go along with his explosive offense, Patterson saw his questionable defense step up and hold Samford to one score, 143 total yards of offense, and forced two turnovers despite missing top defensive end Devonte Fields. Fields was kicked off the team earlier during the summer for an altercation that involved an ex-girlfriend.
Aug 30, 2014; Fort Worth, TX, USA; TCU Horned Frogs defensive end Mike Tuaua (93) sacks Samford Bulldogs quarterback Michael Eubank (2) and forces a fumble during the first quarter at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Linebacker Paul Dawson turned out to be the Horned Frogs top defensive player against the Bulldogs. Dawson finished the game with nine
total tackles, one defended pass, and one interception. He also had a fumble recovery when Bulldogs quarterback Michael Eubank was sacked by Mike Tuaua in the third quarter.
Now with their first game behind them, the Horned Frogs next game is not until September 13 when they host the Minnesota Golden Gophers. The Gophers will be a bigger challenge for the Horned Frogs then the Bulldogs were. Patterson better be prepared for a team that will have a stat defense and an offense that will pound the ball on the ground.