Friday, September 3, 2021

TCU-Duqusene Football Gameday for Saturday, September 4, 2021

 


Friday, September 3, is Go Purple Friday: Wear purple on Friday, September 3, and receive discounts and offers from Go Purple partners. More information: here

Regular-Season Game 1 of TCU’s 2021 Football Season: TCU Horned Frogs (0-0, 0-0 Big 12) versus Duquesne Dukes (0-0, 0-0 Northeast Conference): Saturday, September 4, 2021; 7 pm (Central); Amon G. Carter Stadium; Fort Worth, Texas; TV: Big 12 Now on ESPN+ (Chuckie Kempf and Ryan Leaf); Radio -- WBAP 820 AM, Sirius 83 (Radio Talent: Brian Estridge, John Denton, Landry Burdine); Spanish Radio: KFZO 99.1 (Radio Talent: Miguel Cruz, Elvis Gallegos).

2021 Color Coordination for the TCU-Duquesne Game: Wear your favorite TCU colors. A facial cover (protective mask) also is recommended because of the COVID surge in Tarrant County. TCU requires that facial coverings be worn in all indoor areas on campus, except for private-access areas. 

TCU Uniform Combination for the Game: Against Duquesne, the Horned Frogs will wear a new uniform combination: purple jersey, purple pants and a black chrome helmet.

Gary Patterson Press Conference About Duquesne: here

TCU-Duquesne Gameday Central: here

TCU-Duquesne Digital Game Program: here

The Line for the TCU-Duquesne Game: TCU opened as a 49.5-point favorite. The over-under line opened at 56.5 points.

Midnite's TCU-Duquesne Prediction: TCU 48, Duquesne 10.

TCU Football Week 1 Hype Video: here

2021 COVID-19 Warning: The COVID-19 pandemic still is with us, with people daily being infected and dying. An inherent risk of exposure to the virus that causes COVID-19 exists in any public space where people are present. COVID-19 is an extremely contagious disease that can lead to severe illness and death. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, unvaccinated people and those with underlying medical conditions are especially vulnerable to COVID-19 infection, particularly the delta variant of the virus, although vaccinated people can be infected with the virus, especially the delta variant. Mask wearing, social distancing and hand washing remain highly recommended, and those people who are vaccinated are urged to avoid those people who are not vaccinated. The latest COVID-19 guidelines and information are at the CDC website: here  

TCU Mask Policy: TCU this fall requires face masks to be worn in all indoor campus areas, except when a person is actively eating and/or drinking and except within private-access areas. People who are sick or experiencing COVID-19-related symptoms should stay home and get tested for COVID-19.

2021 TCU Football Fact Book: here

2021 TCU Football Fan Guide: here

2021 TCU Gameday Parking and Traffic Information: here

2021 Gary Patterson Luncheon Series: Five Gary Patterson/Frog Club luncheons, sponsored by Origin Bank, remain to be held this year: September 23, September 30, October 21, November 4 and November 18. The luncheons will be held at noon in the new Legends Club & Suites, located on the east side of Amon G. Carter Stadium.  TCU Frog Club members receive discounts on luncheon tickets. Additional information and tickets: here  

2021 Gary Patterson Radio Show: The 2021 Gary Patterson Radio Show presented by PNC Bank takes place every Thursday of the TCU football season. The show is held in the Railhead Smokehouse on Montgomery Street in Fort Worth. The show is hosted by Brian Estridge. The show airs live from 6 pm to 7 pm CT on 92.1 FM KTFW and 88.7 FM KTCU. TCU fans are welcomed to attend the show.

2021 TCU Store: Gear up for TCU sports: here

2021 TCU Spirit: here  

2021 TCU Athletics Ticket Information: here   

2021 TCU Athletics Staff Directory: here 

2021 TCU Athletics Compliance: TCU is committed and obligated to the principle of institutional control in operating its Athletics Department in a manner that is consistent with the letter and the spirit of the NCAA, Big 12 and University rules and regulations. Additional information: here

2021 Countdown to TCU-Duquesne Tech Kickoff: Five hours prior to kickoff: donor parking lots open. Three hours prior to kickoff: Frog Alley opens. Two-and-a-half hours prior to kickoff: Frog Walk. Two hours prior to kickoff: gates open. One hour prior to kickoff: TCU Marching Band and Spirit parade. Thirty minutes prior to kickoff: Frog Alley closes and in-stadium pre-game show begins.

2021 Fan Experience for TCU Football at Amon G. Carter Stadium: To provide the safest environment for fans to enjoy TCU football this fall during the COVID-19 pandemic:

  • Masks are mandated in all indoor facilities on the TCU campus, unless a person is actively eating and/or drinking.
  • Tailgating is allowed in all Frog Club parking lots and spaces. Lots open three hours prior to kick off and close following the game.
  • Frog Alley has been moved to Stadium Drive.
  • Amon G. Carter Stadium gates open two hours prior to kick off.
  • A refusal to comply with the 2021 TCU Football health and safety guidelines may result in removal from the stadium and/or loss of ticket privileges to future home games.
  • Social distancing is recommended at gates, concessions and restrooms. 
  • Hand sanitation stations are available in the stadium.
  • Football Pre-Game Happy Hour Specials - available when gates open, to 30 minutes before kick-off: 
    • Beer $4
    • 44oz Pepsi: $3
    • Large popcorn: $3
    • Peanuts: $3
    • Nachos: $2.25
    • Hot Dog: $2

Digital Seat Media in Amon G. Carter Stadium: Winthin Amon G. Carter Stadium, fans will find a new feature at their seats that gives them access to items to enhance their football gameday experience. Fort Worth-based Digital Seat Media (DSM) installed on stadium seats a QR code. Fans can scan the QR code with a smart phone and access several features, without having to download an app. The platform runs on mobile web and works on all mobile browsers. 

TCU's Previous Game: On Saturday, December 12, in Amon G. Carter Stadium, in Fort Worth, Texas, TCU defeated Louisiana Tech, 52-10. The game was TCU’s 10th and final game of the 2020 season. TCU finished 6-4 overall, 5-4 in the Big 12. The Frogs were invited to play in the 2020 Texas Bowl, against Arkansas, in Houston, Texas, but TCU had to cancel its participation because of matters related to COVID-19.

TCU's Next Game: TCU will host Cal (the University of California) on Saturday, September 11, at 2:30 pm Central, at Amon G. Carter Stadium, Fort Worth, Texas. The game will be televised on sEcSPNU.

Duquesne's Previous Game: Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Duquesne played a shortened schedule in the spring of 2021. After going 4-0 in the shortened spring season, the Dukes lost, 34-27 (OT), on April 11, 2021, to Sacred Heart, in the Northeast Conference (NEC) Championship game. The Dukes were 4-0 heading into that game, the only unbeaten in the NEC, and had earned their first FCS Top 25 ranking since 2018.

Duquesne's Next Game: Duquesne will play Ohio University in Athens, Ohio, on Saturday, September 11, at 2 pm ET.

Previous TCU-Duquesne Game: This game marks the first meeting on the gridiron between the schools.

TCU-Duquesne Rivalry: This game marks the first meeting on the gridiron between the schools.

 TCU-Duquesne Connections:

  • Duquesne has no players from Texas on its roster. 
  • TCU has no players from Pennsylvania on its roster.
  • TCU basketball player Kevin Easley Jr. transferred to the Duquesne basketball program earlier this year.
  • TCU basketball player Doug Arnold transferred to the Frogs' basketball team from the Duquesne basketball program for the 1981-83 seasons.
  • The TCU women's basketball team opened is 2018-19 season by beating Duquesne, 61-48, on November 6, 2018, in Fort Worth.

TCU Missing in Action News: Due to breaking a team rule, running back Zach Evans probably will miss TCU's first two offensive series against Duquesne. Cornerback Noah Daniels will miss the season-opener. He has not returned to practice after suffering a season-ending injury in 202o. Offensive guard Wes Harris and defensive end Khari Coleman are doubtful for the game against Duquesne. Cornerback Tony Wallace and defensive tackle Terrell Cooper also may not play against Duquesne. Because of a leg injury, junior wide receiver Mikel Barkley is expected to miss significant playing time in 2021. Defensive tackle George Ellis also will miss playing time this season because of an injury. Defensive tackle Corey Bethley has returned to action after sustaining a season-ending injury in the fourth game of the 2020 season.

TCU Notables: 

  • Going into the 2021 season, TCU football is not ranked in the preseason polls. The last time TCU entered the season ranked was 2018 when it was No. 16 in the AP preseason poll. The Frogs went 7-6, securing a winning season by beating Cal, 10-7, in overtime, in the Cheez-It Bowl. 
  • In the 2021 Associated Press Preseason Football Bowl Subdivision Top 25 poll, TCU is listed among "others receiving votes," in 28th place, with 40 points. 
  • In the 2021 Coaches Preseason Football Bowl Subdivision Top 25 poll, TCU is listed among "others receiving votes," in 32nd place, with 48 points.
  • TCU football over the past three seasons is just one game over .500.
  • TCU fans’ tradition of singing "Riff Ram" during sporting events dates back to the 1920s, when the song was first written and introduced to the TCU fan base. These are the words of the song: "Riff, Ram, Bah, Zoo/Lickety, Lickety, Zoo Zoo/Who, Wah, Wah, Who/Give 'em Hell, TCU!"  
  • Make It Personal” is the 2021 theme of TCU Football.  TCU this season is scheduled to host seven games at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth. 
  • TCU this season has nonconference home matchups against Duquesne (September 4, at 7 pm Central Time), Cal (September 11, at 2:30 pm Central Time) and SMU (September 25). 
  • TCU this season will host four Big 12 home games, against Texas (October 2), West Virginia (October 23), Baylor (November 6) and Kansas (November 20). 
  • The Frogs this season will play five Big 12 away games, at Texas Tech (October 9), Oklahoma (October 16), Kansas State (October 30), Oklahoma State (November 13) and Iowa State (November 26). 
  • TCU ranks as the fourth-best private college football school of all time, behind Notre Dame, USC, and Miami (Florida).
  • The Horned Frogs are one of only four FBS teams to have played in all six College Football Playoff Bowls, winning all but the Fiesta and Orange. 
  • Gary Patterson is the dean of Big 12 coaches. This is Patterson’s 24th season at TCU. It is his 21st season as head coach of the Frogs.  
  • sEcSPN ranks Patterson as the 28th best collegiate football coach of the last 50 years.  
  • In 2020, the Frogs averaged 196.3 yards passing per game, their lowest mark since joining the Big 12 in 2012, and the first season in which TCU failed to reach the 200-yard mark since 2002 (166.9 yards).  
  • TCU hasn’t averaged more than 250 yards passing since 2016, when it logged 268.2 yards a game, and 300 yards passing since they posted a gaudy 347.4 passing yards a contest in 2015.   
  • TCU has held its own as a football program in the Big 12, winning a conference championship in 2014, when the Horned Frogs also should have earned a berth in the College Football Playoff. During that season, TCU finished 11-1 and in the top 5 of polls, with notable wins over No. 4 Oklahoma, Minnesota and No. 7 Kansas State, and scoring 82 points against Texas Tech.
  • Dating back to last season, the Horned Frogs have won their last three games to tie for the 10th-longest active winning streak in the nation. They have also won five of their past six contests.
  • The Horned Frogs are facing an opponent from Pennsylvania for the first time since a 1978 game at Penn State. 
  • TCU is opening a season with four straight home games for just the second time (1979) in its history. 
  • The Horned Frogs are 92-27 under Patterson at Amon G. Carter Stadium. 
  • TCU is 47-8 in home night games under Patterson. 
  • Over the last three seasons, TCU has not had a double-digit-win season. It is the first time during Patterson's tenure that the Frogs have gone three consecutive seasons without a double-digit-win season.
  • Saturday's home-opener is the first time the Horned Frogs have played on September 4 since 2010, when TCU defeated No. 22 Oregon State, 30-21, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
  • TCU is opening at home for just the 10th time in Patterson's 21 seasons as head coach. During that stretch, the Horned Frogs have had 10 home dates, nine road games and two neutral-site contests (Arlington, Texas). 
  • TCU is 15-5 in season debuts under Patterson and 75-40-9 overall in openers. 
  • TCU has won six of its last seven season openers and 15 of the past 18, including victories over No. 5 Oklahoma in 2005 and No. 22 Oregon State in 2010. 
  • TCU is 18-2 in home openers under Patterson, with victories in 18 of the last 19. 
  • Over the last seven seasons, TCU is tied for the Big 12's second-best conference record (38-25) and has the third-best overall mark (58-30). 
  • Of the 12 teams that have changed or moved into power leagues in the past decade, only Texas A&M in the SEC and Pittsburgh in the ACC have better conference records since switching. In the Big 12, only second-ranked Oklahoma has more league wins than TCU since 2014, the season the Frogs shared the conference title with Baylor before the Sooners won the last six. 
  • TCU played in the Big 12 championship game in 2017, losing to Oklahoma, 38-20, in AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. 
  • Under head coach Gary Patterson, TCU, which is located in the country’s 12th largest city of Fort Worth, has produced seven top-10 teams. 
  • Over the last 13 years, the Frogs own six AP top-10 finishes, twice as many as Texas and two more than USC and Washington combined. 
  • During Patterson’s tenure, TCU has earned 20 bowl trips. TCU is 13-6 in bowl games played (the 2020 Texas Bowl was canceled). 
  • After the 2010 regular season, the Horned Frogs received the first Rose Bowl invitation offered to a team from a non-automatic-qualifying conference during the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) era. The Horned Frogs won the 2011 Rose Bowl, 21–19, over Wisconsin. The win climaxed an undefeated and untied season that earned TCU a No. 2 national ranking.  
  • TCU Athletics, as a whole, is coming off an historic year in 2020-21. TCU won three Big 12 championships last year, in baseball, women’s soccer and men’s tennis. Ten of TCU’s 21 sports appeared in the national top 25. And rifle won another national title.
  • Over the past 10 years, TCU has invested more than $400 million in athletics facilities through donor funding.
  • Nearly 100 percent of TCU's more than 500 student-athletes are vaccinated against COVID-19.
  • TCU senior guard Wes Harris (6-4, 321 pounds), is the strongest Frog. Harris bench presses 530 pounds, squats 705 pounds and cleans 470 pounds. 
  • Over the last 16 years, TCU is 120-20 when ahead or even in turnover margin. But the Horned Frogs had a disappointing season as far as turnover margin in 2020. They had more giveaways than takeaways, finishing minus-2 in the category. 
  • TCU quarterback Max Duggan has accounted for nearly 5,000 total yards of offense and 41 touchdowns in 22 games for TCU.
  • Last season, Duggan threw for 1,795 yards, with 10 touchdowns and four interceptions. He also rushed for a team-leading 526 yards and 10 touchdowns. 
  • Duggan missed the majority of the 2020 preseason camp due to surgery to correct Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome, a heart condition he was born with. There were reports that Duggan’s sophomore season was in jeopardy because of the condition and surgery. Duggan didn’t start the Frogs’ delayed season-opener to Iowa State on September 26, but he courageously played the second half of the 33-31 loss. Remarkably, Duggan started TCU’s final nine games of the season. The Frogs won six of them to finish the 2010 season at 6-4. 
  • TCU’s 2020 6-4 regular-season earned the Frogs a trip to the Texas Bowl. The Frogs were scheduled to face former Southwest Conference foe Arkansas on New Year’s Eve. However, the Frogs had to cancel their appearance due "to an increased number of positive COVID-19 tests and other circumstances within the TCU football program." 
  • Doug Meacham is TCU’s new offensive coordinator. He replaces Sonny Cumbie, who in 2020 was TCU’s co-offensive coordinator (with Meacham) and quarterbacks coach. Cumbie left TCU to rejoin Texas Tech, his Alma mater, as offensive coordinator. 
  • Meacham rejoined the TCU program in 2020 as inside receivers/tight ends coach and became offensive coordinator in 2021, a role he previously held when the  Horned Frogs had record-setting offenses.
  • Prior to returning to the Horned Frogs, Meacham was offensive coordinator of the XFL’s St. Louis BattleHawks. After leaving TCU following the 2016 season, he served as offensive coordinator at Kansas. 
  • In each of his first two seasons at TCU (2014-15), serving as offensive coordinator, the Horned Frogs’ attack ranked among the nation’s best. Former TCU quarterback Kenny Hill is the Frogs’ new quarterbacks coach.
  • After concluding his 2017 senior season as TCU's starting quarterback, in which he led the Horned Frogs to an 11-3 record, Big 12 Championship Game appearance and No. 9 final ranking, Hill remained with the Horned Frogs. He served as a student assistant and then graduate assistant, before becoming an offensive analyst in 2020.
  • In his final game at TCU, Hill earned Offensive Most Valuable Player honors in the Horned Frogs' 39-37 Alamo Bowl victory over Stanford. Hill had a rushing, passing and receiving touchdown in the game. Hill set a TCU bowl record with 401 yards of total offense (314 passing, 60 rushing and 27 receiving), while his 314 passing yards and 27 completions were the second-most in a bowl game by a Horned Frog.
  • Hill holds the TCU season (67.3) and career (64.0) completion percentage records. His 269 completions in both 2016 and 2017 tie for second all-time in a season at TCU. He also has the third- and fourth-best single season passing yard totals by a Horned Frog with 3,208 and 3,152 in 2016 and 2017, respectively. 
  • As a senior, Hill led the nation with a 67.3 completion percentage on third-down passing. He topped all Big 12 quarterbacks in rushing with 325 yards. He was a Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award finalist and Davey O'Brien Award semifinalist.  
  • Tim Beck, who was a volunteer assistant for TCU in 2020, is a new offensive analyst for the Frogs. Beck is an experienced offensive coach who before he joined TCU last season spent his entire coaching career (1987-2019) at Pittsburg State (Pittsburgh, Kansas). He was head coach of the Gorillas from 2010-2019 (Patterson coached linebackers at Pittsburgh State in 1988). 
  • TCU returns 10 offensive starters in 2021. 
  • TCU averaged 30.8 points per game last season. 
  • Duggan ran for a team-best 526 yards last season, making him the first quarterback to lead TCU in rushing since Gil Bartosh in 1950 (710 yards). 
  • Duggan topped the Horned Frogs with 10 rushing touchdowns, the most by a TCU signal caller since Hill had 10 in 2016.  
  • Duggan in 2020 also became the first TCU quarterback with multiple 100-yard rushing games in a season in the Patterson head-coaching era. He rushed for a career-high and team-best 154 yards and three touchdowns in a 34-18 win over Texas Tech, including an 81-yard scoring run that was the longest by a quarterback in TCU history and tied for 10th-best overall. 
  • In 2020, Duggan threw the football 240 times. He completed 146 of the passes, with 10 touchdowns and four interceptions. He averaged 180 passing yards per game. 
  • Duggan has been named to this season's watch list for the Maxwell Award, presented annually to the outstanding player in college football, to the watch list for the Davey O'Brien Award, which is presented to the nation's top quarterback, to the watch list for the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, which is presented to the nation's top upperclassman quarterback in college football, and to the watch list for the Manning Award, which is presented to the collegiate American football quarterback as judged by the Sugar Bowl Committee to be the best in the United States (including postseason performance).
  • In 2020, TCU allowed 2.30 sacks per game, 71st in the nation and in the bottom half of the Big 12. 
  • TCU led the Big 12 in rushing offense last season. 
  • In 2020, the Horned Frogs ran for more than 200 yards six times, and they went 6-0. They didn’t run for 200 yards four times, and they went 0-4. 
  • When TCU runs for at least 200 yards, it is 10-2 over the last two season, and 1-9 when it doesn’t. 
  • TCU sophomore running back Zach Evans has been named to the Academic All-Big 12 Rookie squad.
  • Evans has been named to this season's watch list of the Doak Walker Award. The Doak Walker Award is presented to the nation’s top collegiate running back. TCU Board of Trustees member and Pro Football Hall of Famer LaDainian Tomlinson won the Doak Walker Award in 2000 as a Horned Frog.
  • Evans, a former five-star signee, had a team-best 7.7 yards per carry average in 2020, his true freshman season. It ranked third for a season in TCU history and was second-best in the Big 12 for a true freshman dating back to 2008. The 7.7 average was also fourth nationally by a true freshman in a Power Five Conference over the last six seasons.
  • Evans placed third on the Horned Frogs with 415 yards rushing, while tying for second with four rushing touchdowns in 2020. He topped 100 yards in two of the final three games. He ran for 130 yards and two touchdowns on seven carries in a 52-10 win over Louisiana Tech in the regular-season finale. His first career 100-yard game was in a 59-23 victory at Kansas. He had 100 yards on 12 attempts. 
  • Quentin Johnson, a 6-4 wide receiver for the Frogs, was one of the best freshmen receivers in college football last season, averaging 22 yards per catch and finishing with back-to-back 100-yard games against Oklahoma State and Louisiana Tech. He had 487 receiving yards and caught four touchdown passes during the season. 
  • Johnston’s 22.1 yards-per-reception average last season was the highest for a freshman in Big 12 Conference history and the second-highest for any Power 5 freshman receiver since 2008. 
  • Redshirt junior center Steve Avila returns to anchor the Horned Frogs’ offensive line, which in 2020 helped the TCU offense average 5.2 yards per carry and compile 101 first downs on the ground. 
  • A 2020 Honorable Mention All-Big 12 honoree, Avila has been named to the watch list for the 2021 Rimington Trophy, which is given to the nation's top center. 
  • A big (literally) addition to the offensive line will be left tackle Obinna Eze, a junior transfer from Memphis. Eze, 6-foot-8, 315 pounds, started 25 games over his last two seasons at Memphis, including the 2019 team that won the American Athletic Conference Championship and earned a Cotton Bowl berth. 
  • Eze has been named to the watch list for the Wuerffel Trophy, presented annually to the FBS player who best combines exemplary community service with leadership achievement on and off the field.
  • TCU this season returns eight starters from a defense that in 2020 allowed 351 yards and 24 points per game, averaged 2.7 sacks per game, was tenth in the nation in tackles for loss, forced multiple takeaways seven times, held opponents to just nine rushing touchdowns, held opponents to a 54.2 percent pass completion percentage, which ranked first in the Big 12, and allowed 223.4 yards per game through the air. 
  • Cornerback Tre'Vius Hodges-Tomlinson was 2020 First-Team All-Big 12 and received All-America honors last season from the Associated Press and Pro Football Focus (PFF).
  • PFF rated Hodges-Tomlinson as the nation's highest-graded cornerback in coverage at 89.1, allowing 12 catches on 45 targets over the final nine games of the season. His 13 pass breakups led the Big 12 and were second nationally. The junior had 26 stops on the season. 
  • Hodges-Tomlinson has been named to the Preseason All-Big 12 defensive team, as chosen by media representatives who cover the league, has been named a second-team preseason All-American by the Walter Camp Football Foundation, and has been named a Preseason All-American by Pro Football Focus. 
  • Hodges-Tomlinson has been named to the watch list for the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award, presented annually to the nation's top defensive back. 
  • Hodges-Tomlinson has been named to the watch list for the Lott IMPACT Trophy. Named after Pro Football Hall of Famer Ronnie Lott, the Lott IMPACT Trophy recognizes the nation's top defensive player in terms of his impact on and off the field. 
  • Hodges-Tomlinson is the nephew of TCU Board of Trustees member and Pro Football Hall of Famer LaDainian Tomlinson. 
  • Last season, defensive end Ochuan Mathis led the Big 12 and ranked 12th nationally in sacks per game at 0.9. 
  • A second-team all-conference selection last season, Mathis recorded a team-best nine sacks for the most by a Horned Frog since Mat Boesen had 11.5 in 2017. 
  • Mathis in 2020 placed second on TCU with 14 tackles for loss (TFL), which ranked third in the Big 12 and tied for 12th in the FBS. The junior had at least one TFL in nine of 10 games and placed fourth on TCU with 46 tackles. Mathis started all 10 games, marking his second straight season of starting every contest. 
  • Mathis has been named to the Preseason All-Big 12 defensive team and was named second-team edge rusher, Pro Football Focus Preseason All-Big 12 team. 
  • Hodges-Tomlinson and Mathis have been named to the watch list for the 2021 Chuck Bednarik Award, presented to the nation's top defensive player. 
  • The duo also has been named to the watch list for the 2021 Bronko Nagurski Trophy, recognizing college football's defensive player of the year.
  • TCU returns punter Jordy Sandy, who has been named to the watch list for the Ray Guy Award, honoring the nation's top collegiate punter. 
  • Sandy, from Traralgon, Australia, was Second-Team All-Big 12 last season. His 41.0 punting average, which placed second in the Big 12, was the highest by a Horned Frog since Ethan Perry's 44.5 mark in 2012. He had eight punts of at least 50 yards. 
  • Sandy was instrumental in TCU placing second in the Big 12 in net punting (38.9). He also serves as the holder on PATs and field goals. 
  • TCU returns placekicker Griffin Kell, a junior who kicks field goals and handles kickoffs. Last year, Kell made 12-of-17 field goal attempts. His longest field goal was a 49-yarder. He had three field goal attempts blocked. 
  • The Frogs return Derius Davis, an electrifying kick returner who has been named a Preseason All-American by Pro Football Focus, and a Preseason All-American punt returner by Phil Steele's College Football Preview. 
  • Davis has been named to the watch list for the Paul Hornung Award, recognizing the nation's most versatile player. 
  • Davis led the Big 12 and ranked fifth nationally last season in punt return average at 14.5 yards. He was one of only three players in the FBS with two punt returns for touchdowns, reaching the end zone from 67 and 37 yards against Baylor and Kansas, respectively. He is tied for second in TCU history with three career punt return touchdowns on 17 attempts. 
  • Evans, Duggan and Johnston have been named to the watch list for the Ninth Annual Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award.  
  • The Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award recognizes the top offensive player in Division I football who also exhibits the enduring characteristics that define 1977 Heisman Trophy winner Earl Campbell: integrity, performance, teamwork, sportsmanship, drive, community and tenacity — specifically tenacity to persist and determination to overcome adversity and injury in pursuit of reaching goals. In addition, the nominee must meet one or more of the following criteria: born in Texas and/or graduated from a Texas high school and/or played at a Texas-based junior college or four-year Division I college in Texas. 
  • TCU players on this season's Reese’s Senior bowl watch list are: Eze, Davis, La’Kendrick Van Zandt, Noah Daniels and J.D. Spielman.
  • TCU has had at least one player selected to play in the Senior Bowl every year since 2015.   
  • It has been four years since TCU finished a season ranked in the Top 25. It’s the longest rankings drought of any point in Patterson’s 21 years as the Horned Frogs head coach. 
  • Since going 12-1 overall and 8-1 in conference games in 2014, when TCU won its only Big 12 title, Patterson and the Frogs are 46-29 overall and 30-24 in the Big 12. That span includes the 2015 season, when the Frogs went 11-2 overall and 7-2 in the Big 12, and the 2017 season, when TCU went 7-2 in conference play, and lost to Oklahoma in the Big 12 Championship game, before defeating Stanford in the Alamo Bowl and ending the season with an 11-3 record and No. 9 national ranking. 
  • Remove the 2015 and 2017 seasons and TCU is 24-24 overall and 16-20 in the Big 12 for the 2016, 2018, 2019 and 2020 seasons. 
  • Over the past three seasons, TCU's overall record is 18-17.
  • TCU hasn’t produced an offense that ranked better than No. 7 in the Big 12 since 2017, the season it last cracked the Top 25. 
  • In 2014 and 2015, when Patterson’s teams ranked No. 3 (2014) and No. 7 (2015) in the final polls, TCU ranked second and third in the Big 12 in total offense. 
  • Patterson is TCU's overall winningest head football coach. Going into the 2021 season, Patterson's TCU head coaching record is 178-74. 
  • Patterson’s 178 victories are the most by an active head coach nationally at his current school. His .706 winning percentage ranks fourth among active FBS coaches (minimum 10 years).  
  • Patterson is tied for second nationally among active FBS head coaches in most AP Top-10 finishes with six (2008, 2009, 2010, 2014, 2015, 2017). He's also second among active head coaches in most top-25 finishes with 11. 
  • Under Patterson, TCU has won six conference championships, in three different leagues -- Conference USA (2002), the Mountain West (2005, 2009, 2010, 2011) and the Big 12  Conference (2014). Patterson also has been named Coach of the Year in each of those conferences. 
  • The Horned Frogs have won at least 10 games in 11 seasons under Patterson. Prior to his arrival on campus in 1998, TCU had four 10-win seasons in its history. 
  • During his TCU tenure, including three seasons as defensive coordinator (1998-00), Patterson has seen TCU earn 20 bowl trips. TCU is 13-6 in bowl games with Patterson on its coaching staff and 11-6 with him as head coach. Before the Patterson era, the Horned Frogs had only four bowl wins in their history. 
  • TCU’s biggest bowl win, and perhaps its biggest win overall, during Patterson’s tenure was the 20-19 victory over Wisconsin in the 2011 Rose Bowl. 
  • TCU has 32 active NFL players, with 21 teams having at least one Horned Frog. The Green Bay Packers (Innis Gaines, Vernon Scott, Ty Summers), Houston Texans (Ross Blacklock, Marcus Cannon, Garret Wallow) and Indianapolis Colts (Darius Anderson, Ben Banogu, Joey Hunt) are tied for the most Horned Frogs on the roster with three. 

Duquesne Notables:  

  • Duquesne University of the Holy Spirit is a private Catholic research university in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 
  • Founded by members of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit, Duquesne first opened as the Pittsburgh Catholic College of the Holy Ghost in October 1878 with an enrollment of 40 students and a faculty of six. 
  • Duquesne now has 9,300 graduate and undergraduate students within a self-contained 49-acre hilltop campus in Pittsburgh's Bluff neighborhood. 
  • The Duquesne Dukes compete in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision and are a member of the Northeast Conference. 
  • The Northeast Conference has 10 full member schools. They are: Bryant University (Rhode Island); Central Connecticut State University (Connecticut); Fairleigh Dickinson University (New Jersey); Long Island University (New York); Merrimack College (Massachusetts); Mount St. Mary’s University (Maryland); Sacred Heart University (Connecticut); St. Francis College (New York); Saint Francis University (Pennsylvania); and Wagner College (New York). All of the institutions are private, except for Central Connecticut University. 
  • The Northeast Conference was named the ECAC Metro Conference when it was established in 1981. The original eleven member schools were Fairleigh Dickinson, the Brooklyn campus of Long Island University, Loyola College in Maryland (left in 1989), Marist College (left in 1997), Robert Morris (left in 2020), St, Francis College (New York), Saint Francis University (Pennsylvania), Siena (left in 1984), Towson State (left in 1982), the University of Baltimore (left in 1983) and Wagner College.
  • The conference's name was changed to its present name (Northeast Conference (NEC) on August 1, 1988
  • Duquesne has 68 players from Pennsylvania on its football roster.  
  • Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Duquesne and the Northeast Conference played a shortened football schedule in the spring of 2021. After going 4-0 in the shortened spring season, the Dukes lost, 34-27 (OT), to Sacred Heart, in the Northeast Conference Championship game.  
  • The "Dukes" nickname dates back to 1911, when what is now Duquesne University changed its name to honor the Marquis Du Quesne, the French governor of Canada, who first brought Catholic observances to the Pittsburgh area. 
  • Since a Marquis and a Duke are not visually distinct (and the name "Duquesne" implies a "Duke"), the unofficial symbol of the school's athletic teams became a man dressed in a top hat, tails and a regal sash across his chest. "Dukes" being more readily recognized than "Marquis," the name Duke was popularly assigned to the symbol and stuck ever since the fall of 1911.   
  • In January, the Duquesne Dukes mascot evolved into something else. The school’s athletic department unveiled a new mascot logo that's not really a duke. It’s a lion wearing a top hat. 
  • Duquesne retired its human duke logo in 2019, when a new Gothic-style “D” became the primary mark for all athletic teams. 
  • Now the human is gone for good in the Duquesne logo, replaced by one of the animals that appears in the university’s coat of arms.
  • The design also includes hypocycloids for the lion’s eyes, which reportedly is an homage to the city’s athletic heritage. The Steelers’ logo, famously, includes hypocycloids.  The top hat is a tie-in to previous Duquesne Duke logos. 
  • Duquesne's school colors are red and blue, the colors of the Holy Ghost Father, and have been the school's colors since the university's founding. 
  • Joseph Carl Breil, Duquesne class of 1888, is most remembered as the composer for the early motion film “Intolerance” and the theme to the “Amos and Andy” radio show. He also wrote the music for Duquesne University’s Alma mater. The Alma mater was officially approved and first performed in October 1920. Father John Malloy, class of 1904, penned the lyrics: "Alma mater, old Duquesne, guide and friend of our youthful days. We, thy sons and daughters all, our loyal voices raise. The hours we spent at thy Mother knee and drank of wisdom's store shall e'er in mem'ry treasured be, tho' we roam the whole world o'er. Then forward ever, dear Alma mater, o'er our hearts unrivaled reign. Onward ever, old Alma mater! All hail to thee, Duquesne!" 
  • Duquesne's athletic fight song is "The Victory Song (Red and Blue)," which was written in 1926. Words and music were composed by Father Thomas J. Quigley (class of 1927). 
  • The Pep Band at Duquesne is made up of students from all disciplines who share a love for music and Duquesne athletics. The band performs at football games and men's and women's basketball games throughout the year. 
  • Head coach of the Dukes is Jerry Schmitt. His 17 years at Duquesne are highlighted by five Northeast Conference championships in the past eight seasons and a pair of trips to the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) Playoffs. He is Duquesne's all-time winningest football coach. 
  • The Dukes play their home games on campus, at 2,200-seat Rooney Field, which serves as the home to Duquesne football, soccer and lacrosse. It is named in honor of Duquesne University football letterman and founder of the Pittsburgh Steelers National Football League team, Art Rooney. 
  • Duquesne has played football as a club team from 1891–1894, 1896–1903, 1913–1914, and 1920–1928, in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) from 1929–1942 and 1947–1950, again as a club team from 1969–1978, in NCAA Division III from 1979–1992 and in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Series from 1993–present.
  •  The Dukes have won or shared 16 conference championships in football over the past 26 years. 
  • The last time the Dukes won a conference football title was in 2018 when they were co-conference champions of the Northeast Conference with Sacred Heart. 
  • After the 2019 season, the Dukes had nine players named to the 2019 All-NEC First or Second teams. All of those players are gone. 
  • Duquesne has been picked to finish second in the NEC’s 2021 Preseason Poll, marking the 11th straight year the Dukes have been picked either first or second. 
  • Seven Duquesne players have earned NEC preseason all-league honors. They are wide receiver Cyrus Holder, tight end Bill O’Malley, offensive lineman Jake Dixon, offensive lineman Vincent Lumia, defensive back Leandro DeBrito, kicker/punter Brian Bruzdewica, and sophomore quarterback Joe Mischler. 
  • Dukes’ projected starting quarterback, running backs and receivers are new, having only played the 2020 shortened season in the Spring of 2021.
  •  On the defensive side of the ball, the Dukes have lost their leading tackler (Brendan Thompson, 75), sack leader (Chris Favoroso, 9.5) and interceptions leader (Reid Harrison-Ducros, 4) from 2019. Daivon Ellison also is not on Duquesne’s football team after being ranked third on the team in tackles and second in interceptions a year ago. 
  • Also, on special teams, the Dukes are having to replace their placekicker, Mitch MacZura, as he led the Dukes in field goals made with 9 in 2019. Senior Jacob Gill is expected to be the team’s starting placekicker in 2021, barring unforeseen developments. 
  • The Dukes’ spring 2021 offense was led by sophomore quarterback Joe Mischler, who transferred to Duquesne from Ohio after 2019. He put up 1,195 yards and nine touchdowns in five games and finished with a completion percentage of 65.4 percent. Mischler topped 335 yards and 3 touchdowns twice during the spring 2021 season, and was named to the All-NEC First Team. 
  • The Dukes' starting running back was graduate transfer Garrett Owens, who had a solid campaign, but freshman running back Billy Lucas was equally impressive, especially down the stretch. 
  • Lucas tallied 110 rushing yards and a touchdown in each of the last two games, won NEC Co-Rookie of the Week in week four, and took home NEC Offensive Rookie of the Year, becoming just the second player in the Dukes’ history to win the honor. 
  • Another player on the Duquesne offense to win NEC Rookie of the Week was freshman receiver Joey Isabella. During the shortened season, Isabella caught 17 passes for 194 yards and two scores. 
  • In their shortened 2021 spring season of five games, the Dukes averaged 25.8 points per game. Their opponents averaged 17.60 points per game. 
  • The Dukes accumulated 849 rushing yards in five games (169.8 yards per game). They scored eight rushing touchdowns. Their opponents tallied 1,077 rushing yards (198.6 yards per game, and six rushing touchdowns. 
  • Through the air in five games, Duquesne completed 85 of 130 passes for 1,195 yards (239 yards per game). The Dukes threw four interceptions and scored nine touchdowns through the air. Their opponents completed 56 of 102 passes for 615 yards (123 yards per game), with six passing touchdowns and four interceptions. 
  • Graduate student running back Garret Owns (#25) led the Dukes in rushing. He ran the football 88 times for 411 yards. He scored five rushing touchdowns and had a long run of 21 yards. 
  • Freshman running back Billy Lucas (#4) rushed 66 times for 297 yards. He scored two rushing touchdowns and had a long run of 43 yards. 
  • Sophomore quarterback Joe Mischler (#11) (5-11, 188 pounds), started all five games. He completed 85 of 130 passes for 1195 yards (239 yards per game). He threw nine touchdown passes and four interceptions. He had a long pass completion of 75 yards. 
  • Graduate student wide receiver Cyrus Holder (#3), caught 23 passes for 491 yards and five touchdowns. He had a long reception of 75 yards. 
  • Junior wide receiver Davie Henderson caught 22 passes for 282 yards. He had a long reception of 30 yards. 
  • Freshman wide receiver Joey Isabella (#80) caught 17 passes for 194 yards and two touchdowns. He had a long reception of 35 yards. 
  • Freshman punter Mike Smigley (#98), averaged 40.29 yards per punt. He had a long punt of 57 yards. He did not have a punt blocked. 
  • Sophomore kicker Brian Bruzdewicz (#91) converted four-of-six field goal attempts. His long field goal was from 33 yards. He did not have a field goal attempt blocked. 
  • Defensively, senior defensive back Leandro DeBrito (#7) led the Dukes with 37 total tackles. He added two tackles for loss and one interception. 
  • Graduate student defensive back Spencer DeMedal (#28) made 32 total tackles and 3.5 tackles for loss. He also had two interceptions. 
  • Sophomore linebacker Jahan Worth (#5) had 27 total tackles and two tackles for loss. 
  • Graduate student defensive lineman AJ Carson (#45) was the Dukes’ sack leader, with 2.5.

2021 TCU Football Fact Book: here

2021 TCU Football Roster: here

2021 TCU Football Schedule: here

2019-2020 TCU Athletics Annual Report: here 

2021 TCU Fall Sports Guide: here

Duquesne Football History Guide (2021 version): here

2021 Duquesne Football Guide: here

2021 Duquesne Spring Football Prospectus: here

Duquesne Football Record Book (2021 version): here  

2021 Duquesne Football Roster: here

2021 Duquesne Football Schedule: here 

Duquesne Alma Mater and Fight Song: here

TCU’s Amon G. Carter Stadium: 2020 marked the introduction of the $100-million Amon G. Carter Stadium premium seating expansion. The project added two new levels of luxury seating above the existing upper deck on the east side of the stadium. The new Legends Club and Suites include 48 loge boxes with two private clubs, over 1,000 club seats and 22 luxury suites.

The 2012 season marked the opening of TCU's Amon G. Carter Stadium after a $164 million renovation, which was completely funded through donor support. Six Founders Club suites, located at midfield on the concourse level, were sold at $15 million each to provide lead gifts totaling $90 million. On the west side of the stadium, there are 25 suites, all of which are sold. 

Additional information about TCU's Amon G. Carter Stadium: here

Amon G. Carter Stadium Map: here

Amon G. Carter Stadium Rules and Regulations: here

Items Permitted Into TCU Athletic Events: Clear Bag Policy: here

Only the following items are permitted into TCU athletic facilities:  

  • Bags that are clear plastic, vinyl or PVC and not exceeding 14 inches by 14 inches.
  • One-gallon clear plastic freezer bag (Ziploc bag or similar).
  • One unopened bottle of water.
  • Small clutch bags, approximately the size of a hand, with or without a handle or strap can be taken into the stadium with one of the clear plastic bags. 
  • Exceptions are made for medically necessary items after proper inspection at the stadium gates. 
  • Backpacks, diaper bags and other similar bags ARE NOT permitted.  
  • Outside food and drinks ARE NOT permitted.
  • Outside seat cushions ARE NOT permitted. 
  •  Umbrellas, selfie sticks, artificial noisemakers, strollers, bicycles, fireworks and weapons (including those allowed by permit) ARE NOT permitted.

Additional information: here

sEcSPN College GameDay for September 4, 2021: ESPN GameDay will be in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Saturday, September 4, for the matchup of Georgia vs. Clemson in the Duke’s Mayo Classic. The show will originate from Bearden Park in uptown Charlotte, minutes from Bank of America Stadium, where the Bulldogs will take on the Tigers at 6:30 pm CT, on ABC. During the college football season, GameDay airs live on sEcSPN on Saturdays, from 8 to 11 am (Central). GameDay features Rece Davis, Kirk Herbstreit, Lee Corso, Desmond Howard and David Pollack.

 


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