TCU took some punches, came back like a champ
Had referee Karl Richins been allowed to drag TCU into a neutral corner and issue a standing eight count Saturday night, surely he would have.
The Horned Frogs had taken San Diego State's best punches at Qualcomm Stadium, but, as it turned out, hadn't been knocked out.
TCU survived a 17-point flurry by the Aztecs that should have never happened. But it did, courtesy of a lost fumble only inches from the end zone.
But a Frogs offense that opened the door to a possible season-ending shocker ensured that the season would extend into December with a performance that will hold a lofty place in the school record book.
"The offensive group has taken a lot of criticism," coach Gary Patterson said Sunday. "But for them to be able to come back and fight back and do what they did was pretty impressive."
TCU gained 694 total yards during the 45-33 victory, a pile of yardage that ranks third in school history. The 39 first downs and 111 plays are school records.
Those accomplishments came against the Aztecs' Swiss-cheese defense, which gave up 670 yards the previous week. The opponent, though, doesn't matter.
The TCU offense took control of the game and executed with its most precision this season -- only one meaningful turnover and no penalties for the first time since the Nixon administration.
Don't forget about the defense, either. San Diego State had four consecutive three-and-out series and held the ball for only 2:32 after its second touchdown. That allowed the Frogs ample time to rally.
But Patterson took something else from the victory. In rallying from 17 down, his Frogs showed a level of maturity that confirmed the character of this season's team.
"We had a lot of things to play for and a lot of things to get for yourself," he said. "I've been saying all year this team had a lot more character with everything they've fought through, and I think they show that [Saturday] night."
A ninth bowl game in 10 seasons was chief among the nuggets the Frogs were chasing. With a 7-5 record (4-4 in Mountain West play), TCU appears to have secured a bid to the New Mexico Bowl or Texas Bowl.
No one late Saturday seemed to have a preference. Each player was just excited to still be playing during a season in which a bowl game at times seemed out of reach.
"I wouldn't say it seemed impossible," senior safety Brian Bonner said. "We were on that roller coaster and wondering when the ride was going to end."
Thanks to a record-setting night by the Frogs' offense, the ride won't end until sometime next month in Albuquerque or Houston.
See
more at www.star-telegram.com
