Horned Frogs Wrap Up Spring Practice
4/5/2003 12:00:00 AM | Football
April 5, 2003
The number one offense outscored the number two offense, 13-3, in the annual Purple-White scrimmage, as the TCU football squad wrapped up its spring drills on Saturday morning.
The lone touchdown of the game came on a one-yard plunge by sophomore Lonta Hobbs in the second quarter, capping a 70-yard scoring drive for the number one offense. The Frogs put together back-to-back big plays to set up the score. First, junior quarterback Brandon Hassell completed a 27-yard pass to freshman Cory Rodgers, then senior Ricky Madison burst through the defense for a 39-yard run, setting up Hobbs' touchdown.
The biggest offensive play of the game came in the third quarter when Hassell hooked up with wide receiver Bruce Galbert on an 88-yard completion. Hassell finished the day completing 3-of-11 passes for 127 yards. Facing a first and goal at the two-yard line, TCU's top-ranked defense from a year ago stepped up with a goal line stand, forcing the offense to settle for a Peter LoCoco 20-yard field goal.
The Frogs also had fields goals of 34 yards from Nick Browne and of 52 yards from Mike Wynn to complete the scoring.
Freshman Robert Merrill, who rolled up 175 yards in a scrimmage a week ago, again led the rushing attack, but was limited to just 42 yards on 19 carries this week.
"Out of the 15 days of spring practice, Brandon Hassell proved he can come in and run the offense," said TCU Head Coach Gary Patterson following the scrimmage. "It's Tye Gunn's offense when he comes back in the fall, but it was good to see how Brandon progressed this spring. I'm really happy with him. I'm also happy we have three tailbacks who can make someone miss. Robert Merrill had a good spring, but we didn't allow him the big plays today with our number two defense. I think our young wide receivers, (freshman) Elvis Gallegos at safety, the young defensive line and (freshman) Herbert Taylor on the offensive line all got better this spring. Mike Wynn had a good day today with a 58-yard punt and a 52-yard field goal.
"We look at it as if this are just the first 15 of 44 practices before our first game and we plan it that way," continued Patterson. "We use the spring to start getting the freshmen and sophomores ready to play. You can't wait until August and September to get them ready. Offensively, we created some new personnel groups to get our best people on the field. Defensively, we just need to continue to grow up some people. I'm still concerned with our boundary cornerback and our strong safety position. If we get Anthony Alabi and John Glud back and healthy on the offensive line and Chad Pugh (academics) back on the defensive line, we'll continue to move forward."
The Frogs open the 2003 campaign on Labor Day, September 1, with a nationally-televised Conference USA contest against Tulane from the New Orleans Superdome. TCU's home opener is set for Saturday, September 6 versus Navy.
SCORING:
1st Quarter: Nick Browne 34-yard field goal.
2nd Quarter: Lonta Hobbs 1-yard run (Wynn kick).
3rd Quarter: Peter LoCoco 20-yard field goal.
4th Quarter: Mike Wynn 52-yard field goal.
RUSHING: Robert Merrill 19-42; Ricky Madison 3-39; Kyle Kummer 2-12; Cory Rodgers 1-12; Brandon Hassell 1-4; Corey Connally 1-3; Destiny Curlee 3-3; Lonta Hobbs, 2-3; Billy Overshown 1-2; TEAM TOTALS: 33-120.
PASSING: Brandon Hassell 11-3-0-127; Kyle Kummer 13-6-0-66; Cody McCarty 1-0-0-0; TEAM TOTALS: 25-9-0-193.
RECEIVING: Bruce Galbert 2-108; Cory Rodgers 2-40; Quentily Harmon 2-18; Billy Overshown 2-3; Michael DePriest 1-14; Ryan Pearson 1-10; TEAM TOTALS: 10-193.
