USF: Jenkins will Start; TCU: Gunn Won't

[Jim Johnson]

From the Trib:

USF's Jenkins Will Start At Cornerback Vs. TCU

Published: Sep 24, 2004

TAMPA - South Florida freshman CB Mike Jenkins, who started the season opener but came off the bench against South Carolina, will return to the starting lineup Saturday at TCU.

USF's defense allowed 356 yards passing to South Carolina, including 210 yards receiving by Gamecocks WR Troy Williamson.

``When we started putting Mike Jenkins over on [Williamson] he didn't catch a pass, so I thought Mike did a really good job of shutting him down,'' USF coach Jim Leavitt said. ``They tried to keep getting the ball to him, but they couldn't.

``Mike's one of our best corners. Mike did a great job on him.''

Jenkins replaces freshman Trae Williams of Durant, who still should see a lot of action.

DEJA VU AGAIN: For the second consecutive week, USF's opponent will start its backup quarterback.

Last week, South Carolina sophomore Syvelle Newton started in place of senior Dondrial Pinkins. Saturday, senior backup Brandon Hassell starts for junior Tye Gunn, who is questionable with a sprained right ankle suffered last week at Texas Tech.

Hassell is 7-2 as a starter, Gunn is 10-1.

Hassell did not play in last year's contest at USF.

``We know it's a big game,'' Leavitt said. ``They're all big. We'll give it our best. I believe the guys will play hard.''

[Jim Johnson]

From the Ft. Worth Star-Telegram:

Frogs can count on Hassell

By Damien Pierce

Star-Telegram Staff Writer

[ize=3]TCU quarterback Brandon Hassell was racing down the line of scrimmage Saturday when Texas Tech defensive end Adell Duckett nearly broke him in half with a body slam to the artificial surface of Jones SBC Stadium.

Hassell didn't writhe in pain or pray the trainers would help him out.

He popped back up and showed his offensive linemen a classic mug.

"Everybody always freaks out when he goes to the sidelines because he always takes hard hits," offensive tackle Anthony Alabi said. "But he'll get absolutely smashed on a play and he'll jump back up and come to the huddle with this Mr. Magoo face acting like he likes it. It's hilarious. I've never seen a guy have more fun playing football except for maybe Brett Favre."

Mark the tough guy down for a few more Mr. Magoo moments Saturday.

Hassell will start his first game of the season in TCU's Conference USA opener against South Florida because of an ankle injury to starting quarterback Tye Gunn.

Gunn, who suffered a high ankle sprain against Texas Tech, could miss a significant amount of time, and the offense very well could be turned over to Hassell for the remainder of the season.

Hassell, a senior, is hardly new to the situation. He is 7-2 as a starter in his career and led the Horned Frogs through the bulk of their flirtation with an undefeated season in 2003. The performance earned Hassell a chance to win the starting job in preseason camp, but Gunn won a tight battle.

Hassell probably doesn't have Gunn's arm strength, but he is quicker running the option and has displayed plenty of toughness. The TCU offense, which is averaging 42.3 points and 467.7 yards per game in three games, won't have to alter the playbook with the backup playing.

"We're glad he's here," offensive coordinator Mike Schultz said. "He manages the offense the same way Tye Gunn does and he's mentally tough."

While Hassell has routinely showed such toughness by taking hits under the chin, he has displayed nearly as much by handling this season's situation.

The Sam Houston High School graduate had a legitimate case to be TCU's starter.

Hassell didn't pout or throw a fit when Gunn was the choice.

"You're always going to be a little disappointed because you come out here and work hard, but I felt the same way the coaches did," Hassell said. "Tye came out and proved he deserved it. I'm looking forward to starting this week, but this is the last way I wanted it to happen. Tye's a good friend and I didn't want to see him get hurt."

Hassell will be replacing an injured Gunn for the third time. Last season, he replaced Gunn twice, making his first career start Sept. 20 against Vanderbilt. Hassell had three fumbles and an interception in that game, but overcome a sluggish start for 227 passing yards and a touchdown.

The Frogs went on to average 31.7 points per game with him as the starter, and he helped the offense pull out of a funk with a 375-yard passing day against Houston in a 62-55 victory. The Frogs were averaging 23.6 points per game before that performance.

The only significant playing time for Hassell this season came against SMU. He replaced Gunn, who took a shot to the ribs, and came up with 264 passing yards and two touchdowns.

"We have the same confidence in Brandon that we have in Tye," running back Lonta Hobbs said.

Of course, they might have even more confidence if Hassell weren't taking the shots he routinely takes.

"Don't let him fool you, he doesn't like taking all those hits," Schultz said. "He's tough, but I wished he'd learn to get down on the ground."

IN THE KNOW

No hassling Hassell

Quarterback Brandon Hassell will make his 10th start for TCU on Saturday against South Florida. How he has performed:

Category      Statistic

Record as starter 7-2

Points per game      as starter 31.7

Touchdown passes 13

Interceptions 8

Completion pct. 57.5

Passing yards 2,382

Rushing yards 343

Rushing TDs 5

GAMEDAY

SOURTH FLORIDA AT TCU

6 p.m. Saturday Amon G. Carter Stadium

TV: None

Radio: ESPN/103.3 FM, KTCU/88.7 FM

Records: TCU 2-1, 0-0 C-USA; South Florida 1-1, 0-0

Tickets: Call (817) 257-FROG (3764) or go to www.gofrogs.com

Gotta love that we get to see the game, but TCU doesn't!!

[BigShoop]

Howd they get TWO good QBs........?!!

BULLSH!T