SB Nation Dallas: All Posts by Pat Burnshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48887/dallas-fave.png2011-11-12T16:34:41-06:00https://dallas.sbnation.com/authors/pat-burns/rss2011-11-12T16:34:41-06:002011-11-12T16:34:41-06:00Analysis: TCU Using Passing Game To Take Halftime Lead
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/GvT769MZcBhoCqQhquFTMVRiuKg=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828111/large_dallas.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>The <span class="caps">TCU</span> Horned Frogs knew they had to come to Boise and score points if they wanted a shot at beating the undefeated Broncos. So far, at least through the air, they’ve done their job. They currently lead the Broncos 20-14 at the half. Using four wide receiver sets, the Horned Frogs have torn apart the Boise State secondary, taking advantage of the aggressive Broncos corners. <span class="caps">TCU</span> QB Casey Pachall has thrown for 286 yards on only 18 attempts, and for three touchdowns, the shortest of which was 69 yards.</p>
<p>The <span class="caps">TCU</span> defense has also put pressure on Boise QB Kellen Moore, sacking the Heisman candidate twice, and forcing him to hurry what should have been easy completions.</p>
<p>For <span class="caps">TCU</span> to pull off the upset, they’ll need to continue to be successful through the air, as Boise has been deadset on stopping the run. The Frogs have rushed for only 13 yards on 12 carries. Pachall will need to pick up where he left off, and will also need some timely stops from his defense.</p>
<p>Overall, <span class="caps">TCU</span> fans have to happy with the performance from their team so far.</p>
https://dallas.sbnation.com/tcu-horned-frogs/2011/11/12/2557354/analysis-tcu-using-passing-game-to-take-halftime-leadPat Burns2011-10-07T18:12:44-05:002011-10-07T18:12:44-05:00TCU Looks To Bounce Back Against San Diego State
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/GvT769MZcBhoCqQhquFTMVRiuKg=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828111/large_dallas.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>It's been a pretty eventful week for the TCU Horned Frogs program in the news, especially considering the Frogs are only 3-2 on the season.</p>
<p>First, head coach Gary Patterson made headlines when he called out the SMU football program and head coach June Jones following a 40-33 overtime loss, TCU's first to the Mustangs since 2005. The loss also dropped them out of the AP and USA Today Coaches polls for the first time since 2008.</p>
<p>Then, the big news came down Thursday that the members of the Big 12 (sans Missouri) voted to invite TCU to be the replacement for Texas A&M, who is leaving for the SEC in 2012.</p>
<p>Fans and alumni have obviously been rejuvinated by the latest news, as some feared the Big East, whom TCU was planning to join, was on the verge of collapse. But while it is a big moment for Frogs fans, there still is a 2011 football season to be played.</p>
<p>The Frogs this week face off against San Diego State (3-1, 0-0) at 9 p.m, whom TCU was able to eek at a 40-35 win at Amon Carter Stadium last season. While former head coach Brady Hoke is now with Michigan (who handed SDSU their first loss of the season, 28-7), much of the talent on offense that gave the Frogs fits last season remains.</p>
<p>As has been the case for the 2011 season, the story for TCU will be how its defense performs. The Frogs surrenedered over 400 yards on defense for the third time this season. To put things in perspective, TCU gave up more than 200 yards five times in 2010. So, it's safe to say they're having some struggles.</p>
<p>Things won't be getting much easier as they will go up against Aztec quarterback <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/12894/ryan-lindley" class="sbn-auto-link">Ryan Lindley</a>, who has put together a nice little college career. He's thrown for more than 3,000 yards in back to back seasons, and has been a key member of the Aztecs' resurgence over the past three seasons. </p>
<p>On the ground, sophomore running back <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/88716/ronnie-hillman" class="sbn-auto-link">Ronnie Hillman</a> has already amassed 626 yards rushing on just 98 attempts for an average of over six yards per carry. Not many people mention Hillman when discussing the elite running backs in the country, but the kid broke the almost all the SDSU freshman rushing records that were formerly held by some dude named Marshall Faulk.</p>
<p>Perhaps the biggest surprise for the Aztecs on offense has been the play of wide receiver <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/87312/colin-lockett" class="sbn-auto-link">Colin Lockett</a>. The sophomore switched over from defense, and has already become Lindley's favorite target. He's shown the ability to make the big play, with a touchdown this season of 68 yards and a hefty 17.1 yards per catch.</p>
<p>While the run defense hasn't been particularly great, the secondary has by far been the weakness of the defense. It's hard to figure out how much the unit has suffered from the loss of linebacker <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/77363/tanner-brock" class="sbn-auto-link">Tanner Brock</a> for the season, but it certainly can't help. For TCU to be able to contain the Aztec offense, the defensive line needs to put more pressure on opposing QBs. Outside of <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/77386/stansly-maponga" class="sbn-auto-link">Stansly Maponga</a>, there hasn't been another defensive lineman who has consistently gotten through the offensive line.</p>
<p>If the line can pressure Lindley with any consistency, it should make things better for the No. 101 pass defense in FBS.</p>
<p>On offense, it would be nice to see offensive coordinator Justin Fuente open things up a little more for quarterback <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/77347/casey-pachall" class="sbn-auto-link">Casey Pachall</a>. Outside of a few mistakes, Pachall has earned the right to make some tougher throws down the field to their playmakers, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/77385/josh-boyce" class="sbn-auto-link">Josh Boyce</a> and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/77346/skye-dawson" class="sbn-auto-link">Skye Dawson</a>. And <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/37800/ed-wesley" class="sbn-auto-link">Ed Wesley</a> will take over at running back after missing the first three games of the season. The Frogs will have to take advantage of every opportunity on offense they can get, because this TCU defense, if the earlier results are any indication, will get torched Saturday night in San Diego. It's certainly a lot of pressure to put on Pachall in his first year as a starting QB. But, with the Big 12 calling, he's going to need to get used to it. It's only going to get harder from here.</p>
https://dallas.sbnation.com/tcu-horned-frogs/2011/10/7/2476188/tcu-looks-to-bounce-back-against-san-diego-statePat Burns2011-10-05T22:39:59-05:002011-10-05T22:39:59-05:00Patterson Loses His Cool, Reputation From Postgame Comments
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/GvT769MZcBhoCqQhquFTMVRiuKg=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828111/large_dallas.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>TCU head coach Gary Patterson was not happy after the 40-33 loss to cross-town rival SMU Saturday. It's something the reigning coach of the year hasn't really experienced since the 2007 season, where his freshman-heavy team led by some kid named <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/12996/andy-dalton" class="sbn-auto-link">Andy Dalton</a> lost five times. That can't sit well with the man.</p>
<p>To make things worse, there were two questionable pass interference calls early in the game that extended SMU drives and directly led to an early 17-0 deficit. </p>
<p>One can only imagine Patterson's initial reaction to the comments made by SMU wide receiver Darius Johnson. "I don't really like these TCU people," he said. </p>
<p>Heck, even SMU head coach June Jones got in on the fun, albeit in a more subtle way. When asked about how they were able to beat TCU by the <i>Dallas Morning News</i>, he had this to say: </p>
<blockquote>
<p><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10px; line-height: 13px; background-color: #ffffff;"> </span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; padding: 0px;">"They don't change, they stay and make people adjust to them," Jones said. "They might do one thing new a game for you, but they're going to do what they do and they're going to beat you. That's their attitude.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Oh boy. Now Patterson, already on edge, most likely lost it at this point after reading what Jones said. He didn't find about the comments until later in the weekend (or else he would have said something in the post-game press conference), but he made sure he let everyone in the media know what he thought about them during his weekly media conference.</p>
<p><span style="line-height: 15px; background-color: #eeeeee;"><span style="line-height: 16px; background-color: #ffffff;"></span></span></p>
<div>Patterson not only unloaded on the officials, he went after the institution of SMU and its fans along with June Jones (who Patterson mentioned is 1-6 now in his career against him). Perhaps the most shocking thing he said during his <strike>rant </strike>press conference was regarding his future relationship with the school:</div>
<blockquote>
<p><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10px; line-height: 13px; background-color: #ffffff;"> </span></p>
<p>"They're getting no help from Gary Patterson. They shouldn't ask me about going into a conference, they shouldn't ask me about how they played, they shouldn't ask me about their players, they shouldn't ask me about anything because they're not getting any help, period, anymore.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Wow. I would link you to the video of the press conference, which is posted on TCU's athletic page, but for some shocking reason, they omitted the parts where he "criticized" the Mustangs. Crazy, I know.</p>
<p>I've interviewed Gary Patterson a few times, and the guy has always been respectable and courteous towards others. When I've spoken to some of his players about him, they talk about a guy who is extremely passionate about his job and is someone who truly cares about his players as actual people, a rarity in collegiate football.</p>
<p>That's what still makes it so shocking to see this kind of anger shown towards anyone, let alone someone like June Jones, who also has a reputation of being a truly decent person as well as a heck of a football coach.</p>
<p>Patterson is a guy who does wear his emotions on his sleeves at times, but I think he even realizes that he went too far in his press conference Tuesday. It's perfectly normal to have some animosity towards your rivals, but comments like that come off to the public as the feelings of a sore loser. While the TCU fanbase was fired up by his comments, people without any rooting interest saw a guy who was mad his defense couldn't contain a former backup quarterback from New Mexico State. </p>
<p>Patterson has built up TCU to become one of the premier college programs in the country, and has done it the right way, with fewer resources. One down season isn't going to tarnish his legacy. But outbursts like the one he had this week can take months, sometimes years to come back from.</p>
<p>Heck, people still remember Oklahoma State head coach Mike Gundy's "I'm a man, I'm 40" rant, and that was four years ago. His image in the public eye has rightfully took a hit. I'm sure Patterson will come out sometime before the season is over and make amends with Jones and the program. But the damage has been done. Hopefully for Patterson, this incident will be a small blip in an otherwise brilliant coaching career.</p>
https://dallas.sbnation.com/tcu-horned-frogs/2011/10/5/2472296/patterson-loses-his-cool-reputation-from-postgame-commentsPat Burns2011-09-24T17:08:13-05:002011-09-24T17:08:13-05:00Late First Half Surge Leads TCU Past Portland State, 55-13
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/GvT769MZcBhoCqQhquFTMVRiuKg=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828111/large_dallas.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>The TCU Horned Frogs overcame a slow start this afternoon in Fort Worth to cast away the Portland State Vikings, 55-13, thanks to some big plays on both sides of the ball and a key series of events late in the first half.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">There’s no other way to put it: for the first 27 minutes of this game, TCU looked terrible. The defense was making Portland State QB Connor Kavanaugh, who threw for fewer than 50 yards last week against Northern Arizona, look like an All-American. The defensive line was giving up runs of six, seven and eight yards with alarming frequency. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">On offense, QB Casey Pachall was in the midst of his worst game as the starting QB. He threw an awful interception that killed a promising drive in the second quarter and was not passing with any sort of consistency or accuracy. The Frogs were staring at a potential halftime score of 3-3 against, essentially, a cupcake opponent. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Frogs needed a spark, something to get the crowd and sideline back into the game. It’s not a stretch to say the game depended on it. Luckily for TCU, they got one from Josh Boyce, hands down the most electrifying playmaker in the state of Texas not named Robert Griffin III.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">With a little over two minutes remaining in the first half, Boyce took a quick slant from Pachall 66 yards to the house, and gave the Frogs their first touchdown of the game, along with their first lead. That play awoke the team and fans from their slumber, and helped propel them to two more touchdowns <span> </span>in the final two minutes. Tank Carder, the linebacker who broke up the two point conversion in the Rose Bowl, intercepted Kavanaugh’s pass and returned it for the first touchdown, extending the lead to 17-3. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">After holding the Vikings to a quick three-and-out following the score, WR Skye Dawson returned a punt deep into Portland State territory, and capped it off with a 10-yard strike from Pachall to Skye Dawson. What had looked like a potential upset in the making become a three score game in a span of minutes, all thanks to Boyce.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Frogs started off the second half much like they ended the first, with a 65-yard scamper from Waymon James, who also had a nice kick return for a touchdown in the fourth quarter. By the end of the third quarter, the Frogs had put most of their backups in on offense, and it ended up in a blowout like most expected. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The most important thing to come out of this game was the way the Frogs overcame a terrible start and avoided any thoughts of an upset by the end of the first half. Games like this are a reminder that this is very much a different TCU team than the one we’ve seen over the past few years. It’s full of young, inexperienced yet talented players, a team currently in search of an identity. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Even the best programs in the country have to rebuild when players graduate. Building a BCS team takes time. While it can be frustrating to watch at times, the team has the talent to become an elite level squad. My advice: enjoy the ride (even when you want to pull your hair out).<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Notes:</p>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; ">Waymon James, even though he’s not the starter, is the most talented running back for the Frogs. He’s got the combination of power and speed that offensive coordinators dream of. His 65-yard TD to open up the second half was most impressive. Both Skye Dawson and Waymon James finished the game with two touchdowns each.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; ">After a slow start from the TCU defense, the line finally began to put pressure on Kavanaugh and Portland State. While the secondary for TCU has been bad, the defensive line has to do their part and put more consistent pressure on the quarterback. Too many times the line has allowed teams to have ample time to check their third and sometimes fourth receivers. Getting that pressure will make the job of the secondary much easier.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">Casey Pachall has become the unquestioned leader of the offense after only four games as a starter. When the team was struggling in the first half, he was trying to encourage teammates, and was paying close attention to the game at hand. He’s got the potential to be just as good, maybe even better, than Andy Dalton.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">TCU can’t afford to have a slow start like this against SMU, a big rival. The Frogs nearly lost to SMU on the road last season, and the Mustangs always bring their "A" game against TCU. Should be a fun one next Saturday.</span></li>
</ul>
<p style="text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1" class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p style="text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1" class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast"><o:p></o:p></p>
https://dallas.sbnation.com/tcu-horned-frogs/2011/9/24/2447084/late-first-half-surge-leads-tcu-past-portland-state-55-13Pat Burns2011-09-24T15:18:30-05:002011-09-24T15:18:30-05:00Backups In For TCU, Lead 41-3 After Three
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/GvT769MZcBhoCqQhquFTMVRiuKg=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828111/large_dallas.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>After taking a 41-3 lead late in the third quarter, <span class="caps">TCU</span> subbed in backup quarterback Matt Brown and running back Aundre Dean. Most of the student section has made their way to the exits. Overall, it was a pretty nice comeback from a terrible opening by the Frogs.</p>
https://dallas.sbnation.com/tcu-horned-frogs/2011/9/24/2446893/backups-in-for-tcu-lead-41-3-after-threePat Burns2011-09-24T15:10:02-05:002011-09-24T15:10:02-05:00Dawson Adds To TCU Lead In Third Quarter
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/GvT769MZcBhoCqQhquFTMVRiuKg=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828111/large_dallas.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>Breaking news: Skye Dawson is fast. The football and track star just caught a tipped pass and blew by the two Portland State defenders who had the tackling angle on him. He runs the 100 in a blistering 10.2 seconds. You can’t teach speed. The Frogs now lead 41-3 in the third quarter.</p>
https://dallas.sbnation.com/tcu-horned-frogs/2011/9/24/2446882/dawson-adds-to-tcu-lead-in-third-quarterPat Burns2011-09-24T14:43:38-05:002011-09-24T14:43:38-05:00Frogs Start Second Half Like They Ended The First, Now Lead 31-3
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/GvT769MZcBhoCqQhquFTMVRiuKg=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828111/large_dallas.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>Wow. It’s hard to put into words just how much this game has changed since a little over two minutes in the first half. <span class="caps">TCU</span> needed only one play, a 65-yard TD run from Waymon James, to get back onto the scoreboard in the second half. Whatever Gary Patterson said in the locker room, it certainly has worked.</p>
https://dallas.sbnation.com/tcu-horned-frogs/2011/9/24/2446828/frogs-start-second-half-like-they-ended-the-first-now-lead-31-3Pat Burns2011-09-24T14:19:16-05:002011-09-24T14:19:16-05:00Frogs Rolling, Score Three Touchdowns In Final Three Minutes Of First Half
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/GvT769MZcBhoCqQhquFTMVRiuKg=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828111/large_dallas.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>Following a nice punt return from Skye Dawson late in the first half, Casey Pachall hooked up with Josh Boyce for the second time today, extending their lead to 24-3 to finish the first half. Head coach Gary Patterson did not pleased seem with the team’s effort, despite the strong finish to the second quarter.</p>
https://dallas.sbnation.com/tcu-horned-frogs/2011/9/24/2446787/frogs-rolling-score-three-touchdowns-in-final-three-minutes-of-firstPat Burns2011-09-24T14:08:10-05:002011-09-24T14:08:10-05:00Tank Carder Returns Interception For Touchdown, TCU Leads 17-3
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/GvT769MZcBhoCqQhquFTMVRiuKg=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828111/large_dallas.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>What a crazy turn of events. It looked like <span class="caps">TCU</span> was going to go into the locker room after two being tied with <span class="caps">FCS</span> opponent Portland State 3-3. But a long TD pass to Josh Boyce and an interception return for a touchdown by Rose Bowl hero Tank Carder has brought the Frogs back to life. This is the team that we saw almost pull off one of the greatest comebacks in college football history.</p>
https://dallas.sbnation.com/tcu-horned-frogs/2011/9/24/2446770/tank-carder-returns-interception-for-touchdown-tcu-leads-17-3Pat Burns2011-09-24T14:04:52-05:002011-09-24T14:04:52-05:00Josh Boyce Scores on 66-Yard Touchdown, TCU Leads 10-3
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/GvT769MZcBhoCqQhquFTMVRiuKg=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828111/large_dallas.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>After sputtering most of the first half, the <span class="caps">TCU</span> offense finally got things going with a 66-yard touchdown pass from Casey Pachall to WR Josh Boyce. Most of the throws Pachall was making were quick, safe screens or slants, perhaps because of the interception Pachall threw on the previous drive. That touchdown was huge for <span class="caps">TCU</span>, who’d looked mostly awful this afternoon.</p>
https://dallas.sbnation.com/tcu-horned-frogs/2011/9/24/2446766/josh-boyce-scores-on-66-yard-touchdown-tcu-leads-10-3Pat Burns