The Frogs then upset Louisville, 37-22, as junior quarterback Casey Printers threw for three touchdowns and rushed for another score. Printers threw for 256 yards on 13-of-24 passing and the Frogs gained 178 rushing yards against the Cardinals.
TCU had 15 tackles for loss against Louisville for minus-104 yards, including 11 sacks for minus-57 yards.
In the last game of the regular season, the Horned Frogs again turned to their defense, and they stunned Southern Miss, 14-12, in Hattiesburg, Miss. It gave the Horned Frogs a 4-3 conference record and left them tied for fifth place with Southern Miss.
Texas A&M ended TCU’s late-season run in the galleryfurniture.com Bowl, beating the Horned Frogs, 28-9. It was the Aggies’ 24th straight victory over the Horned Frogs, and they did it emphatic fashion. TCU was held to minus-26 yards rushing, and Printers was intercepted four times.
That loss left the Horned Frogs eager to get started in the postseason. Patterson is optimistic about the prospects for the 2002 season -- despite the loss of Printers, who chose to transfer to Florida A&M, a Division I-AA program where he can play immediately.
"Out of 25 starting positions counting specialties, we have close to 19 or 20 players who logged significant playing time coming back," Patterson said. "A year ago we didn’t have many guys who had taken many snaps. We have a lot of continuity. The key is how much we improve from being a 6-5 football team with that group of kids. I think the key issue is in our leadership positions because we lost a couple of guys who were leaders. We need to find out who’s going to step up and be our leaders and be the type of people that take control out on the football field."
Patterson took over for Dennis Franchione on Dec. 8, 2000, shortly after Franchione was hired to coach Alabama. Patterson, who was Franchione’s defensive coordinator for three seasons at TCU, has continued the program’s defensive tradition.
Last season, the Horned Frogs ranked 10th nationally in run defense and were 24th in total defense.
QUARTERBACKS
Patterson certainly didn’t anticipate the move by Printers, who threw for 1,824 yards and 13 touchdowns and was intercepted eight times in 10 games. He rushed for 275 yards and finished with 87 net yards.
Printers, who would have been a senior, was the starter since his freshman season. He decided to transfer so he could play in an offense that featured the passing game, and he will certainly get a chance to show his arm at pass-happy Florida A&M.
With the departure of Printers, senior Sean Stilley (6-5, 236) assumes the role as starting quarterback. It won’t be a new one for Stilley, who saw limited action through six games until Printers suffered a shoulder injury in the second quarter against Tulane on Oct. 13.
Printers missed the rest of the Tulane game, missed the next game against Army and half the game against East Carolina before replacing Stilley, who had been shaken up.
Stilley’s backups are untested. Sophomore Brandon Hassell (6-1, 196) was Stilley’s backup last season after the injury to Printers, but played only briefly against Louisville on Nov. 23.
The other two quarterbacks are redshirt freshmen -- Zack Moore (6-3, 190) and Tye Gunn (6-3, 217) -- and Gunn may be an up-and-coming star.
Gunn earned the No. 2 quarterback job during spring practice. In the Horned Frogs’ first spring scrimmage,
RUNNING BACKS
Patterson has several options at tailback, and he will look for somebody to step forward during preseason workouts.
Junior Ricky Madison (5-10, 200) entered the spring as the No. 1 tailback, but he’s got competition for the job in senior Frank Montgomery (5-9, 185) and juniors Corey Connally (5-11, 192) and junior Kenny Hayter (6-0, 224).
Hayter, a transfer from Texas, was impressive in the spring. In the Horned Frogs’ first scrimmage, Hayter rushed for 48 yards on 15 carries. Montgomery had 39 yards on 11 carries.
"I’m excited about Kenny Hayter," Patterson said. "I expect our running game to be better this season. We have three good tailbacks in Hayter, Ricky Madison and Corey Connally when he’s healthy. Frank Montgomery also has stepped it up."
In the Purple-White Spring game, Madison was the leading rusher with 44 yards on four carries.
Madison led the Horned Frogs in rushing last season with 611 yards, averaging 3.5 yards per carry. He rushed for four touchdowns.
Connally was second with 444 yards and had the team-high average of 4.5 yards per carry. He rushed for four touchdowns. Montgomery had only three carries for nine yards last season.
Madison was 10th in C-USA in rushing with 54.5 yards per game, despite being slowed by injuries.
Hayter, a big, strong runner, worked with the scout team after transferring last year.
The fullbacks will be seniors Reggie Holts (6-0, 238) and Jon Muther (6-3, 235). Holts should retain the starting job he earned late last season when he started four games, including the bowl game against Texas A&M. He had 18 carries for 48 yards last season with a long run of 27 yards.
WIDE RECEIVERS/TIGHT ENDS
Three of the Horned Frogs’ top four receivers from 2001 return, so Stilley should have ample targets. Patterson likes his receiving corps.
"I think we should feel really good about the wide receiver group," Patterson said. " Kevin Brown , Reggie Harrell , Terran Williams , Adrian Madise and LaTarence Dunbar are all coming back. The biggest question mark will be at the tight end position."
Madise (6-0, 206), a senior, led the Horned Frogs in receiving last year with 819 yards on 50 catches. He tied for the team-high in touchdown catches with 80. His 74.5 yards per game during the regular season ranked fourth in C-USA, and his 4.55 catches per game was ninth in the league. He had five touchdown catches.
With Madise the probable starter at ‘Z’ receiver, the senior Dunbar (5-11, 191) should start at ‘H’ receiver and the senior Williams (5-10, 170) at ‘X’ receiver.
Dunbar was second on the team in receiving last season with 529 yards, averaging 12.9 yards on 41 catches. He caught three touchdown passes.
This season, Dunbar could see some double duty.
"There is a possibility of LaTarence Dunbar playing some defense, along with some offense," Patterson said. "He could see some action at safety. He’s a guy who’s always wanted to do that. He’s a very physical player."
Williams had 18 catches for 215 yards and one touchdown last season.
Brown (5-11, 182), a senior, caught three passes for 47 yards and a touchdown before his junior season was cut short by injury. Harrell (6-3, 209), a sophomore, missed the 2001 season after suffering an injury to his right knee before the season opener against Nebraska.
Junior Stanley Moss (6-2, 250) entered the spring as the No. 1 tight end ahead of senior Quint Ellis (6-4, 232) and sophomore Cody McCarty (6-4, 249). Moss and Ellis both had two catches last season. Ellis had one catch for 10 yards in the spring game.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Even with the departure of left guard Victor Payne, who was chosen to the All-C-USA first team, the Horned Frogs’ offensive line is solid. Patterson will look for some newcomers to provide depth.
"We return for starters and 10 lettermen on the offensive line, so the younger guys will need to provide depth at those positions," Patterson said.
Returning starters are junior left tackle John Glud (6-6, 234), senior center Jamal Powell (6-4, 294), senior right guard J.T. Aughinbaugh (6-6, 296), and senior right tackle Brady Barrick (6-6, 298).
Aughinbaugh started all 12 games at right guard and showed great improvement during his junior season. During the off-season, Aughinbaugh lost some weight and improved his mobility. He began his career at tackle, but moved to guard in the spring of 2000, then played in eight games that fall.
Sophomore Zach Bray (6-3, 315) will likely be Aughinbaugh’s backup.
Barrick started 11 of 12 games in 2001, but sat out the spring. The fastest of the offensive linemen, Barrick worked on his technique last fall and should be ready for his best season yet. Barrick is also the short snapper on special teams.
Junior Jonathan Morgan (6-4, 311) and junior Matt Orlovsky (6-4, 305) were the left tackles in the spring and should push Barrick for the starting job in the fall. Morgan played in all 12 games last season, started against Army, and lost some weight in the off-season to improve his mobility.
Sophomore Zach Bray (6-4, 315) played in the Army and Louisville games as a red-shirt freshman and will be Powell’s backup.
At left guard, senior Josh Harbuck (6-6, 302) has the monstrous task of taking over for Payne, one of C-USA’s top linemen. Harbuck played in 10 games last season and is a vocal leader.
The starting job won’t be given to Harbuck, but his experience certainly gives him a decided advantage. In the spring, his backup was red-shirt freshman Ben Angeley (6-4, 292), a promising yet untested talent.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Perhaps the strength of TCU’s defense is the front, anchored by junior nose tackle Chad Pugh (6-3, 305).
Pugh, chosen to the All-C-USA second team, has good strength and quickness, and he was a primary reason the Horned Frogs ranked third in the league against the run. Pugh started eight games and finished with 21 tackles, including five tackles for loss and two sacks. He also played in 11 games as a red-shirt freshman and had 27 total tackles.
Backing up Pugh will be sophomores Brandon Johnson (6-2, 295) and Stephen Simmons (6-1, 300).
At the other tackle spot, senior John Turntine (6-2, 275) returns after starting 11 games. Turntine had 38 tackles in 10 games, including 13 for losses.
His backups are junior Richard Evans (6-3, 265) and red-shirt freshman Jeremy Breedlove (6-3, 267).
At defensive ends, junior Bobby Pollard (6-2, 255) is coming off a strong finish in 2001 and should start on the left side, with junior Bo Schobel (6-5, 267) as the probable starter on the right side at rush end.
Pollard took over as the starter for the last two games of the regular season as the Horned Frogs posted their two biggest wins of the year and also started the bowl game. He was seventh on the team in tackles with 50 and had 16 tackles for loss, second best on the team. He was credited with five sacks and seven quarterback hurries. In the victory over Louisville, Pollard had seven tackles, helping the Frogs hold the Cardinals to minus-47 yards rushing.
Red-shirt freshman Ranorris Ray (6-2, 256) will likely be Pollard’s backup.
LINEBACKERS
Replacing linebacker Chad Bayer will be one of Patterson’s biggest tasks this season. Bayer led the team in tackles with 103 in 2000 and was third in tackles last season with 75, including 10 tackles for loss.
However, the Horned Frogs have ample talent at linebacker.
Senior LaMarcus McDonald (6-1, 230) will be one of C-USA’s top linebackers again this season. McDonald, who will start at strong-side linebacker, was second on the team in tackles with 80 and earned All-C-USA second-team honors. He tied for fourth in the nation in tackles for loss with 25 for minus-108 yards, the second most in program history behind Schobel’s minus-113 in 1998.
Junior Devon Davis (6-1, 233) will be McDonald’s backup. After transferring from Tennessee and sitting out the 2000 season, Davis played behind McDonald last season, played in every game and finished with 22 tackles, including three for loss.
Junior Josh Goolsby (6-2, 234) is expected to start at middle linebacker, but he’s coming off a knee injury. Goolsby tore his ACL against Nebraska and had surgery on Sept. 6. He was the starter for the season opener.
Sophomore Martin Patterson (6-1, 233) was listed as the second-team linebacker behind Bayer last season and was one of only two true freshmen to play for the Horned Frogs. Patterson had two tackles and also played on special teams.
DEFENSIVE BACKS
The Horned Frogs have more experience in the secondary this season, and Patterson hopes that will bolster a pass defense that ranked sixth in the league last year, allowing 228.6 yards per game. TCU gave up 18 passing touchdowns in 11 regular-season games.
"Safety-wise, two out of three starters come back," Patterson said. "Comparatively, a year ago it was only one out of three. Then at corner we should feel good. Everyone there has played, but we’ll need to continue to develop our depth."
Perhaps the most talented defensive back is sophomore weak safety Marvin Godbolt (6-0, 193), a member of the C-USA All-Freshman team and The Sporting News USA All-Freshman team. The Sporting News dubbed Godbolt the league’s "Best Blitzer."
Clearly, Godbolt is a talent. He was second on the team in sackes with six, which ranked among the top freshmen in the nation, and had 13 tackles for loss. It didn’t take long for Godbolt to make his presence known, either; he had seven tackles, five behind the line of scrimmage, in the opener against Nebraska. Godbolt finished with 59 tackles and one interception.
Pushing Goldbolt for the starting job will be red-shirt freshman Jeremy Modkins (5-11, 192), while junior Logan Burdine (6-2, 200) is the third string weak safety.
Senior Jared Smitherman (6-1, 208) was slotted as the starter at strong safety entering spring practice. He played in all 12 games and was also a special teams player last season. He finished with 17 tackles and had eight, including a 12-yard quarterback sack, in the Horned Frogs’ victory over Southern Miss.
Red-shirt freshman Flander Malone (5-11, 194) will be Smitherman’s backup.
Jason Goss , who started all 12 games last season, should retain his job. Goss (5-11, 189) was the team’s top cover corner, most often guarding the opponents’ top receiver in man coverage. He was chosen to the All-C-USA second team, but The Sporting News listed him as a first-team all-conference defender and punt returner. He finished the season with 61 tackles, three interceptions and 24 pass break-ups.
His backups will be sophomore Jerrod Braziel (5-11, 192) and junior Brandon Williams (6-2, 190), but they’ll have a tough time wrestling the job from Goss.
The other cornerback job is less settled. Junior Tyrone Sanders (5-11, 168), who started three games last season, leads the race for the job, but will be pushed by sophomores Mark Walker (5-10, 189) and Jerome Braziel (5-11, 170).
Senior Kenneth Hilliard (6-2, 205) started 10-of-12 games last season at free safety after playing cornerback in 2000. Hilliard led the team in tackles with 82 and made 58 solo tackles.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Dunbar is back as the kickoff returner and Goss returns as the punt returner. Both had solid seasons in 2001.
Goss was fourth in the conference in punt returns, averaging 11.5 yards on 24 returns. He returned a punt 50 yards for a touchdown against Tulane.
Dunbar was ninth in C-USA in kickoff returns, averaging 18.2 yards on 25 returns. It wasn’t nearly as good a season for Dunbar, who led the nation in kick returns in 2000 with a 33.7-yard average and returned two for touchdowns. He was the 2001 all-conference kick returner in the 2001 preseason and was on several preseason All-America teams as the kick returner.
Williams will also return kicks. He averaged 6.6 yards on five returns last season with a long return of 15 yards.
RECRUITING CLASS
Patterson recruited primarily for athletes with his 2002 recruiting class instead of going for players to fill certain positions. He signed 17 players.
"With only 10 seniors graduating and having depth returning at nearly every position, the class is one build on athleticism and size, not necessarily by conventional position-specific needs," Patterson said. "We have been highly successful in our system when we have been great at quarterback, running back and on the defensive line. This class will fulfill those needs and more."
Patterson signed one quarterback, a quarterback/athlete, two running backs, a fullback, a wide receiver, two tight ends, one offensive lineman/athlete, one fullback, one wide receiver/defensive back, one running back/defensive lineman, two defensive linemen, one linebacker and two defensive backs.
The quarterback is Jeff Ballard (6-1, 195) of Friendswood, Texas. Ballard was one of the top passers in the Greater Houston area, leading his Friendswood team to a 12-1 record and a 22-2 record in his two years as the starter. He threw for 9,224 yards and rushed for 579 yards during his career, also rushing and throwing for 65 touchdowns.
Cory Rodgers (6-1, 185) of Fort Bend, Texas, is the quarterback/athlete. He threw for 37 touchdowns and rushed for 25 in his last two years at Hightower High School. He was a highly recruited player, choosing TCU over Syracuse, Oklahoma State, Colorado, Tulsa, Arizona State, LSU and Arkansas.
BLUE RIBBON ANALYSIS
In the last two games of the regular season, Patterson proved he could rally the team and put together a winning game plan. The Horned Frogs ended the season with upsets of Louisville and Southern Miss and earned the program’s fourth straight bowl bid.
Now, Patterson must prove he can keep the program headed in the right direction. Defense is Patterson’s forte, and he will likely field another good defense this season. It’s the offense that is in question.
Starting quarterback Printers opted to leave before his senior season, and will be replaced by Stilley. If Stilley stalls out, Gunn will take over.
Despite the loss of some key players, the Horned Frogs have almost 20 starters returning, and the coaching staff that Patterson assembled last season has been together for more than a year.
