Around the Horned With Brian Estridge
Sept. 4, 2001
Soon we'll start listening: Before the Nebraska game Coach Gary Patterson alluded to the fact that he thought his defense could contain the Huskers, but that the Blackshirt defense of the Big Red would be tough for his offensive group to overcome. He was right. And prior to the North Texas game, he warned us that the Mean Green would be very emotional for the match-up Saturday night and that they would do their best to keep it close against the Frogs. Again, he was right. Now we just need to start listening to him, much like his defensive players have done for the last several years. If we listen, he'll put us in the right place!
So what is he saying this week?: At his Tuesday media luncheon, Gary reminded all of the media members that it hasn't been that long ago since the last meeting between TCU and SMU late last season. That's something that should work in the favor of the Ponies--they're sure to remember that 62 to 7 embarrassment in Ford Stadium on November 24, 2000. He was also quick to point out that the Mustangs' defense always gives TCU problems, their specialty teams seem to make big plays in big games (14 blocked kicks in their last 31 games), and most importantly, that last year's game was an anomaly--a scoring margin so one-sided that we may never see it again in this series. He expects Saturday to be much like the 1998 and 1999 games, close and low scoring.
Frogs in the pros: After the final NFL roster cutdowns last week, here is the latest info on the Frogs from last year's team that remain in the league. Mike Keathley and LaDainian Tomlinson are sticking with the Chargers, Cedric James and Shawn Worthen have made it with the Vikes, Aaron Schobel landed on the Bills roster, Curtis Fuller is a Seahawk and George Layne has been assigned to the Chiefs practice squad after fighting an ankle injury all training camp. So after watching the Frogs on Saturdays, sit down in front of the tube and watch the former Frogs on Sundays.
C-USA, Officially: Mark your calendars for September 20th. Why? That is when Southern Miss comes to Daniel-Meyer Coliseum to face Sandy Troudt's Frogs in volleyball. It also marks the first official conference competition for TCU in Conference USA. If that doesn't fit into your schedule, the following day Memphis will be in Garvey-Rosenthal Soccer Stadium for a men's soccer clash with Dave Rubinson's Frogs.
Frogments: Well, we are losing a member of the Frog family. Assistant track and field coach Dan Waters, who helped TCU finish second in the nation during both the indoor and outdoor seasons, has resigned to take a similar position at the University of Georgia. A stickler for details, Dan was instrumental in recruiting many of our current track student-athletes. In addition, Dan helped the cross country program attain high levels of success and earned WAC Coach of the Year honors for his efforts in 2000. Track, (his nickname when he served as the spotter for the radio crew at the Mobile Alabama Bowl last year) we'll miss you around here!...Now for the newcomers, Dewi Hardman is the new graduate assistant for the men's and women's soccer programs. Dewi joins the staff from his alma mater, Wake Forest, where a decade ago he matched up with current Frog assistant, and former Frog midfielder, Blake Amos on the field. Oh, and if he talks a little funny, it's because he is from Wales, and I don't mean Oklahoma!...Kim Karstetter joins the sports medicine staff as an assistant athletic trainer. A 1999 TCU grad, Kim most recently worked with the track program at the University of Florida. She'll focus on soccer and baseball here in Frogland...Kudos to our men's and women's golf teams, both are back in the top 20, men at #15, women at #16 in the preseason poll...And don't forget, TCU GameDay with Scott Masteller and Andrea Pilcher starts at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, our airtime is 5:30 on the Network and the kickoff for the battle of the iron skillet is set for 6:00.
From the streets and avenues of North Texas to the information superhighway, I'm Brian Estridge. We'll see you on the radio.