The big Seven-O continues to haunt TCU's defense

[Brad]

Posted on Sat, Sep. 25, 2004

GAMEDAY

TCU vs. South Florida

By Damien Pierce

Star-Telegram Staff Writer

Where: Amon G. Carter Stadium

TV: None

Radio: ESPN/103.3 FM, KTCU/88.7 FM

Line: TCU by 10 Series: TCU leads 1-0

Last game: TCU won 13-10 last season

The big Seven-O continues to haunt TCU's defense

For the first time in the coach Gary Patterson era, the Horned Frogs are trying to recover from an embarrassing loss.

The Horned Frogs were humiliated in Lubbock on Saturday to the tune of 70-35, and plenty of TCU fans are still wondering if the sky is falling. Conference USA play arrives just in time to pick up the spirit of the TCU faithful.

South Florida is no slouch, but the Horned Frogs are 17-6 in league play since 2001 and have been thinking about a conference championship since watching last season's title disappear at Southern Miss.

If that's not enough, it's safe to say the Frogs need this one badly after last week's subpar performance.

THE EDGE

QUARTERBACK

From the start of the season, the Horned Frogs figured they would need Brandon Hassell at some point this season. That point just arrived earlier than anticipated. Tye Gunn is out with a sprained right ankle. While several schools might fret playing the backup quarterback, the Frogs aren't hurting. Hassell is 7-2 as a starter. South Florida would love to have him. The Bulls are still trying to get consistency out of either Pat Julmiste or Ronnie Banks.

Key stat: The Bulls are averaging 102 passing yards per game.

EDGE: TCU

RUNNING BACKS

Lost in the Lubbock debacle was a pretty good run by Lonta Hobbs, who took an option pitch and raced down the right sideline for a 61-yard touchdown run. The run was the second longest of his career. South Florida's Clenton Crossley has been solid, but not spectacular.

Key Stat: Hobbs' 117.3 rushing yards per game ranks 15th in the nation.

EDGE: TCU

WIDE RECEIVERS

After several dropped passes in Lubbock, the last thing the TCU receiving corps needed was to lose wide receiver Reggie Harrell, the team's leading receiver. He's out because of a broken finger. South Florida's quarterbacks have barely found their receivers this season.

Key stat: No South Florida wideout has more than four catches.

EDGE: TCU

OFFENSIVE LINEMEN

Tackle to tackle the TCU line looks pretty sturdy, but it had problems against Texas Tech. The Red Raiders were physical, and on more than a few occasions Tech defensive end Adell Duckett ran loose to the quarterback. The group won't face that kind of talent this week, but the line needs to improve. South Florida's line is fairly experienced, but the offense has been miserable.

Key stat: Despite Saturday's setback, the Frogs are still averaging 467.7 yards per game.

EDGE: TCU

DEFENSIVE LINEMEN

In last season's game against South Florida, the Horned Frogs had 10 sacks. The bad news? The players who made those sacks are gone and this group is searching for consistency. South Florida's Lee Roy Selmon Jr. will have the attention of TCU's offensive line. He has 1/2 of a sack this season.

Key stat: 70. (Refer to last week's scoreboard)

EDGE: South Florida

LINEBACKERS

South Florida sophomore Stephen Nicholas is on the Butkus Award Watch list and earned freshman All-America honors last season. He's a member of a fast group on a defense that thrives on linebackers making plays. TCU's David Hawthorne, in the meantime, has secured his role along side Martin Patterson, but he's still learning the defense. Offenses are quizzing him every week.

Key stat: 70. (Review that score yet?)

EDGE: South Florida

DEFENSIVE BACKS

Gary Patterson has stated his team's pass coverage is probably better than people think, but it's hard to overlook that the Frogs are giving up an average of 382.7 passing yards per game. The Frogs will juggle the lineup this week with Elvis Gallegos, Marvin Godbolt and Jeremy Modkins starting the safety positions. South Florida's secondary has one interception but gave up three long touchdown passes against South Carolina.

Key stat: 70. (Any questions?)

EDGE: South Florida

SPECIAL TEAMS

The Horned Frogs have put a "Help Wanted" sign on their punting position. John Braziel's 40.3 yards per punt average might not look horrific, but most of those punts stayed in the air for only two seconds. Not good. South Florida's Andre Hall is a dangerous kickoff returner and kicker Santiago Gramatica is the third and youngest of the Gramatica kicking family.

Key stat: Gramatica has only made one of three field-goal attempts, but his misses are from 43 and 58 yards.

EDGE: South Florida

Story Link

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They've been haunted this week by the 70 points and we've been haunted by the SC game and last year's 10 sacks..