TCU Review

[50's PONY]

Defense closing strong



By JEFF WILSON
The outcome of the final major scrimmage of the spring Saturday should have surprised no one at a soggy Amon G. Carter Stadium: TCU's defense dominated.
The Horned Frogs' offense managed only 223 yards on 86 plays, and 102 of those yards came on two rushing plays early in the scrimmage.

Only two of the first-team offense's 13 possessions went longer than three plays. The longest -- five plays covering 58 yards -- produced the only first-team touchdown.

Of the three turnovers, two were forced by the second-team defense.

Coach Gary Patterson, though, said he wouldn't know how well the team played until watching the film.

"Sometimes when you get to this point, you take things away from them [the offense] because you play them every day," Patterson said. "I liked the takeaways, but I didn't like the turnovers."

Linebacker Jason Phillips said the first-stringers were pleased with the effort, especially after starting slowly this spring. The Frogs aren't where they should be, he said, but are better than last month.

"We definitely got better this spring," Phillips said. "Overall, we need to keep getting better. Our communication needs to pick up. We don't like giving up long runs."

Offense's tough day

Running backs Aaron Brown and Joseph Turner and wide receiver Jimmy Young stood out during an otherwise difficult day for the offense.

Brown had eight carries for 93 yards, all against the first-team defense.

Included was a 47-yard burst that set up the first team's lone score, an 8-yard pass from freshman quarterback Andy Dalton to Marcus Brock.

Turner, who lost a fumble, was the leading rusher with 16 carries for 107 yards. He scored the second team's only TD on a 55-yard burst on an option pitch from Dalton.

Dalton and Marcus Jackson, the favorites to take over for Jeff Ballard, were ineffective throwing. Under steady pressure, they combined to complete 7 of 31 passes for 40 yards.

Jackson, a sophomore, threw the only two interceptions. Freshman Zack Eskridge had the best numbers (5-for-12, 37 yards) in limited action with the second team.

"We need to play with more poise," offensive coordinator Mike Schultz said.

"We can't have the mistakes. We've got to manage the game a little bit better. I see them getting better every day, but it's small things."

Schultz, pending a discussion with Gary Patterson, doesn't expect to select a starter when spring drills end Thursday with a short scrimmage open to the public.

Briefly

Sophomore walk-on Tyler Luttrell has made the switch from quarterback to wide receiver, the position coaches anticipated he would eventually play. Gary Patterson said three QBs are planning to walk on in the fall.

No players were injured during the scrimmage despite the slippery field conditions after three days of rain. Among the players held out were Brian Bonner (hamstring) and Shae Reagan (mononucleosis).