Around the Horned With Brian Estridge
Aug. 29, 2001
Oh So Close: I think everyone here believes that this TCU football team came out winners on Saturday--everyone but the TCU players and coaches. This group really wanted, and expected, to come off of Tom Osborne field victorious on Saturday. It wasn't meant to be, but like I told you a couple of weeks ago, this team is better than many people believed--before the Nebraska game that is! The Frog defense picked up right where it left off last year, holding Nebraska's offense to a gain of two yards or less 68 percent of the time. That is unheard of! Meanwhile, the offense showed flashes of brilliance, and don't worry, LaTarence will get more touches and the running game will come around. Why will the offensive improve, you ask? Because 22 players played on that side of the ball Saturday, including eight offensive linemen. That kind of experience will pay dividends once the C-USA schedule kicks in.
From Big Red to Mean Green: You better believe that the North Texas Mean Green are chomping at the bit to see the Frogs in their house on Saturday. Fouts Field may not be as intimidating as Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, but the game between the lines will be just as fierce. If the offense you see from UNT looks familiar to you on Saturday, it's because Darryl Dickey has studied much of what Mike Schultz and his gang have been doing offensively for the last several years. On defense, look for the Green to highlight their outstanding linebacker Brad Kassell, who had 15 tackles when these two teams met in 1999. Make no mistake, North Texas will play tough on Saturday. Remember, this is the biggest opponent to play in Denton in a long time (discounting A&M, Tech and Baylor of course). Here's something else to add to the fire: Dickey and Gary Patterson were teammates at Kansas State, meaning emotions will be running high on the sidelines.
Red, White and Purple: Did you catch our interview with Commissioner Mike Slive during the Warm-Up Show on radio? He was gushing about how happy he was to have TCU in the league. He was so happy that he even wore his lucky purple glasses to the game! Also in the C-USA news is the rumor that the men's and women's basketball schedules will be released soon. Appearances by John Calipari and his Memphis Tigers plus DePaul, Houston, South Florida, UAB and a non-conference match-up with Creighton highlight the men's schedule. On the women's side, the Lady Frogs will host conference opponents Houston, Cincinnati, Louisville, Southern Miss, Tulane, DePaul and Marquette. TCU also has Southwest Missouri State and Arkansas on its home schedule and will travel to Tennessee, Oklahoma and Oregon.
Quote of the Week: Coach Patterson on how he thought his young players, who were whistled for a few penalties, reacted to the crowd noise at Nebraska. "It's kind of like taking a shower in front of a crowd. You never are quite comfortable!"
Frogments: Kudos to TCU TV color analyst and former Frog defensive back Harold Muckleroy for his performance in the Pigskin Classic Golf Tournament on Friday in Lincoln. Muck posted a 74 to win the darn thing--too bad his prize packet was full of "Red" memorabilia...There's a brand new addition to the TCU training room staff, as Grace Golden joins the Frog family from Stanford University. Grace will work primarily with volleyball and men's and women's swimming...Congrats to old WAC nemesis Fresno State for an impressive win over Colorado last weekend. It looks like Pat Hill's team will run away with the WAC football title this year...And finally, congratulations are also in order for TCU senior golfer Andy Doeden, who reached the round of 32 at the U.S. Amateur Championships last week. He was just the second Frog to advance to the second round of match play in the Bill Montigel era.
Don't forget: Our broadcast Saturday begins at 5:30 p.m. on ESPN 103.3 with TCU Gameday, hosted by Scott Masteller and Andrea Pilcher. We'll join you on the network at 6:30 for the Warm-Up Show and we'll take you right up to the 7:00 kickoff. From the streets and avenues of North Texas to the information super highway, I'm Brian Estridge. We'll see you on the radio.
