TCU-SMU Football Gameday for Saturday, September 25, 2021

 

Friday, September 24, is Go Purple Friday: Wear purple on Friday, September 24, and receive discounts and offers from Go Purple partners. More information: here

Game 3 of TCU’s 2021 Football Regular Season: TCU Horned Frogs (2-0, 0-0 Big 12) versus SMU Mustangs (3-0, 0-0 AAC), Saturday, September 25, 2021; 11 am (Central); Amon G. Carter Stadium; Fort Worth, Texas; TV: FS1 (Dan Hellie, Robert Smith); 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). It’s Family Week, and Hall of Fame Week.

2021 TCU Athletic Hall of Fame Class: The 2021 TCU Athletic Hall of Fame class was inducted during a ceremony in the TCU Legends Club on Thursday, September 23. Members of the class will be signing autographs in Frog Alley prior to the TCU-SMU game on Saturday, September 25. Members of the class will be honored during the game. Members of the class are:

• Victor Payne (1998-2001, football): As an offensive guard, Payne paved the way for TCU and Pro Football Hall of Fame running back LaDainian Tomlinson. Payne helped Tomlinson lead the nation in rushing in 1999 with 1,850 yards. Tomlinson also led the nation in rushing in 2000, with 2,158 yards, becoming TCU’s first 2,000-yard rusher. 
• Michael Cannon (1986, men’s track and field): Cannon was a two-time All-American in the 400 meters and 4x400m relay. He set a TCU record in the 400 that stood for 19 years.
•  Jamie MacCurdy Kizer (2002, women’s swimming and diving): MacCurdy Kizer was TCU’s swimmer of the year all four of her years and won four events at the 2002 Conference USA championships. 
• Roy Williams (2001, men’s track and field): Williams was a three-time All-American and a 2000 NCAA Champion in the 4x400
• Nolan Brawley (1964, men’s track and field): Brawley is the “vintage” inductee. Brawley was a three-year letterman and was the Southwest Conference runner-up in the mile in 1964.
• T. Ross Bailey (1977-2020, athletic administration): Bailey, being inducted in the newly created “special contributor” category, graduated from TCU in 1976 and became the head athletic trainer at the age of 24 in 1977. He moved into an administrative role in 1998 and eventually served as the senior associate athletics director for facilities and operations until his retirement in December 2020. Bailey oversaw almost $600 million in facility upgrades during his tenure.

Big 12 Conference Expansion Update: Big 12 Conference invitations have been accepted by Brigham Young University, the University of Houston, the University of Cincinnati, and the University of Central Florida.  The schools said the moves will come by July 1, 2024, at the latest. All four of the schools currently are members of the American Athletic Conference (AAC). Additional information: here  

2021 Color Coordination for the TCU-SMU 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 SMU, the Horned Frogs will wear a white jersey, white pants and a purple. This will be the first time we have worn all-white at home since our 2017 win over SMU.

Gary Patterson Press Conference About SMU: here

TCU-SMU Gameday Central: here

The Line for the TCU-SMU Game: TCU is a nine-point favorite, after opening as a 10.5-point favorite. The over-under for total points of both teams is 65 points.

Midnite's TCU-SMU Prediction: TCU 35, SMU 31

TCU-SMU 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 Countdown to TCU-SMU 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. Frog Alley is bigger and better this season, taking up all four lanes on Stadium Drive. It features a Kids’ Zone, a beer garden with TVs, local food trucks and more. Frog Walk also returns this season, as the team will be dropped off at the Frog Alley entrance.
• 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.
• There are a variety of new concession stands dubbed “The Taste of Funkytown.” These include QUENCH, AGC Pub and a Super Size Stand. 
• On the North Endzone deck, drink rails, picnic tables and lawn games have been installed.
• "WaterMonster" locations are throughout the stadium. A WaterMonster is a 125-gallon tank filled with cold-filtered water, or the equivalent of 1,000 bottles of water. The configuration stands six-feet tall and has six spigots for fans to fill their own water bottles or paper cups.
• Football Pre-Game Happy Hour Specials are available from 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
• Concessions Overview: here  

Digital Seat Media in Amon G. Carter Stadium: Within 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 to the SMU Game: On Saturday, September 11, in Amon G. Carter Stadium, in Fort Worth, Texas, TCU defeated the California Bears, 34-32. It was TCU’s second game of the season. TCU opened its 2021 season with a 45-3 victory over Duquesne.

TCU's Next Game After the SMU Game: TCU will host one of the Big 12’s traitors, the University of Texas, at 11 am (Central), on Saturday, October 2, at Amon G. Carter Stadium, in Fort Worth, Texas. ABC will televise the game.

SMU's Previous Game to the TCU Game: In its third game of the 2021 season, SMU defeated Louisiana Tech, 39-37, on Saturday, September 18, in Ruston, Louisiana. SMU won the game on the final play of the game. Mustangs quarterback Tanner Mordecai threw a Hail Mary pass into the end zone. The football was tipped into senior wide receiver Reggie Roberson, Jr.’s hands for an SMU touchdown. The game against Louisiana Tech was the Mustangs’ third game of the season. SMU opened its 2021 season on September 4 with a 56-9 win over Abilene Christian in University Park, Dallas County. On Saturday, September 11, in University Park, the Mustangs defeated North Texas, 35-12, for their second win of the season.

SMU's Next Game After the TCU Game: SMU will celebrate its homecoming with a 3 pm (Central) game in University Park against South Florida on Saturday, October 2.

Previous TCU-SMU Game: The Frogs and the Mustangs were scheduled to meet on September 11, 2020, in Fort Worth, but the game was canceled due to COVID-19 protocols.

TCU and SMU last met on September 21, 2019, in Fort Worth. The Mustangs prevailed, 41-38. It was just SMU’s second win in the last 13 games against the Frogs, and their first since 2011.

The win meant, of course, that the Mustangs seized the coveted Iron Skillet. After the game, SMU players and their fans partied hearty with the skillet, in the north end zone area of The Carter.

On the Wednesday after the game, the Dallas City Council, at its meeting, honored the Mustangs for defeating TCU. The Iron Skillet was displayed in the Council's chambers.

The game had morphed into a Fort Worth vs Dallas showdown when SMU players wore jerseys with "Dallas" on the front of them. Customized helmets included a decal showing a Mustang inside a stylized "D."

TCU-SMU Rivalry:

• TCU and SMU used to be rivals in the Southwest Conference (SWC), which existed from 1914-1996. 
• The Horned Frogs and Mustangs are playing each other for the 100th time. TCU holds a 51-41-7 edge and has won 11 of the last 13 games and 17 of 20.
• The series began with a 43-0 TCU win in Fort Worth in 1915. The teams have played each other every year since, except for seven years (1919, 1920, 1925, 1987, 1988, 2006, and 2020).
• TCU head coach Gary Patterson is 15-3 as a head coach versus SMU. The 15 wins are the most against a single team among his victories at TCU.
• Patterson is 2-1 versus SMU head coach Sonny Dykes. The Horned Frogs defeated Dykes' Louisiana Tech team, 31-24, in the 2011 Poinsettia Bowl. The Frogs defeated Dykes and SMU, 42-12, in 2018. Dykes and SMU defeated Patterson and the Frogs, 41-38, in 2019.
• SMU is TCU's second-most played series. The Horned Frogs' 99 meetings with the Mustangs trail only Baylor (115).
• TCU's 56-0 win in 2014 at SMU marked the most lopsided game in the series.
• The Horned Frogs are 28-19-5 versus the Mustangs in Fort Worth and 23-22-2 in Dallas.
• Other than the two seasons (1987-88) SMU did not field a team, the 2006 and 2020 campaigns are the only times TCU and SMU have not met since 1925.
• TCU hasn’t lost consecutive games to SMU since 1992-93.
• The rivalry between the two teams has sprouted mischief in the past. SMU's Mustang Marching Band dropped rye grass seeds on the field of Amon G. Carter Stadium during halftime of a 21-0 TCU victory on November 26, 2000. By February, 2001, the seeds had grown to form a large diamond shaped "M," the band's trademark formation. An editorial in The Skiff noted: "Since SMU loses at everything else, it seems natural that its pranks would be lame. But in the future, if SMU students want to do something on our field other than lose, they should consult us first."

 TCU-SMU Connections:

• SMU has 94 players from Texas on its roster; two from Fort Worth, senior offensive tackle Alan Ali (#77) (Timber Creek) and senior defensive tackle Mike Williams (#57) (All Saints’ Episcopal).
• TCU has 75 players from Texas on its roster, including sophomore place kicker James Koshakji (#25) (Dallas Jesuit), sophomore wide receiver Drew Scott (#30) (Highland Park), and redshirt freshman quarterback Chandler Morris (#14) (Highland Park).
• SMU head coach Sonny Dykes was an offensive analyst for TCU in 2017, prior to taking the Mustangs' head coach position. 
• From 2014-17, Chad Morris was head coach of SMU. He is the father of TCU quarterback Chandler Morris, who transferred from Oklahoma to TCU prior to the start of this season.
• SMU wide receivers coach David Gru was an offensive analyst with the Horned Frogs in 2017. 
• SMU safeties coach Trey Haverty was a TCU graduate assistant (2007-09) before serving as its safeties coach (2011) and wide receivers coach (2012).
• SMU special teams coordinator Kenny Perry was TCU’s cornerbacks coach during its Big 12 championship season in 2014, after serving as the Frogs’ director of high school relations in 2013.

TCU Missing in Action News: Offensive guard Wes Harris returned to the lineup against Cal. Dating back to last season, he had missed seven consecutive games due to injury. Cornerback Noah Daniels missed the season-opener and has not returned to practice after suffering a season-ending injury in 202o. Offensive guard Wes Harris and defensive tackle Terrell Cooper returned to practice this week after missing the Duquesne game because of injuries. 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 returned to action in the Duquesne game after sustaining a season-ending injury in the fourth game of the 2020 season.

TCU Notables: 

• In the 2021 Associated Press Week 4 Football Bowl Subdivision Top 25 poll, TCU is listed among "others receiving votes," in 26th place, with 91 points.  
• In the 2021 Coaches Week 4 Football Bowl Subdivision Top 25 poll, TCU is listed among "others receiving votes," in 28th place, with 50 points. 
• Dating back to last season, the Horned Frogs have won their last five games for the seventh-longest active winning streak in the nation. They have also won seven of their past eight contests. 
• TCU is 2-0 or the 13th time in head coach Gary Patterson’s 21 seasons.  
• Counting the September 11 victory over Cal, which is a member of the Pac-12, TCU now is 8-0 against the Pac-12 under head coach Gary Patterson
• After the game against California, TCU's games against Pac-12 teams will continue with upcoming home-and-home series with Colorado (2022-23) and Stanford (2024-27). 
• The Horned Frogs have won 15 of their last 21 regular-season games after an open date.
• TCU is opening a season with four straight home games for just the second time (1979) in its history. 
• The Horned Frogs are 94-27 under Patterson at Amon G. Carter Stadium. 
• Against Cal, the Horned Frogs ran for 271 yards. They now are 102-8 under Patterson when totaling at least 200 yards on the ground.
• TCU’s 505 total yards of offense against Cal were its most in a game since totaling 549 in a 2019 win at Texas Tech.
• Against Cal, TCU for the 357th consecutive game. It is the nation’s second-longest current streak and fourth all-time in NCAA history. The Frogs haven’t been blanked since November 16, 1991, at Texas (32-0).
• Two sacks in the Cal game, by linebacker Dee Winters and safety La’ Kendrick Van Zandt, gave TCU at least one sack in 88 of its last 93 games. 
• TCU's captains for the Cal game were offensive lineman Steve Avila, quarterback Max Duggan, defensive end Ochuan Mathis and linebacker Dee Winters. 
• Against Cal, TCU running back Zach Evans’ career best 190 yards rushing were the most by a Horned Frog since Sewo Olonilua had 194 yards in the 2018 Cheez-It Bowl win over Cal.
• Evans topped 100 yards rushing for the third time in the last four games.
• Evans' 51-yard touchdown run gave him a rushing score in four consecutive games. He is the first Horned Frog with a rushing touchdown in four straight contests since Olonilua in 2019.
• Duggan, in the Cal game, tied a career-high, set on two previous occasions, with three touchdown passes. He connected from 18 and 45 yards with Quentin Johnston and 30 yards to Blair Conwright.
• Duggan totaled 305 yards of offense against Cal, completing 17-of-31 passes for 234 yards while adding 71 yards rushing on 19 carries.
• Duggan's 17 completions against the Golden Bears were spread among nine receivers.
•  In the game against Cal, Johnston had a team-best five receptions for 95 yards.
• Johnston's two touchdown catches against Cal equaled his career total entering the game. He became the first Horned Frog with two scoring grabs in a contest since Pro Wells last season at Kansas.
• Conwright's 30-yard second quarter touchdown reception in the Cal game was his first of the season and second of his career.
• JD Spielman had a nine-yard reception in the Cal game to extend his streak with a catch to 38 consecutive games, third-longest in the nation. It also represents every game in his collegiate career.
• Against Cal, Winters had a team-best eight tackles, including 1.5 with a loss and a sack.
• In the Cal game, Van Zandt had his first sack of the season and second of his career.
• Cornerback Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson, the nephew of LaDainian Tomlinson, tied a career-high with six tackles to go with a pass breakup.
• Against Cal, punter Jordy Sandy had a career long 64-yard punt, the longest by a Horned Frog since Ethan Perry's 67-yard boot against Minnesota in 2014.
• 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 (60-30). 
• TCU is one of just seven programs nationally to finish with an Associated Press Top-10 final ranking in at least three of the last seven seasons (2014, 2015, 2017). The others are Alabama, Clemson, Georgia, Ohio State, Oklahoma and Penn State. 
• TCU has three 2021 Preseason All-Americans in punt returner Derius Davis, cornerback Tre’Verius Hodges-Tomlinson and defensive end Ochuan Mathis.  
• Through two games this season, TCU’s offense is averaging 39.5 points per game.
• TCU’s offense is averaging 468 total yards per game.
• The Frogs are averaging 224.5 rushing yards per game.
• TCU has scored six rushing touchdowns.
• The Horned Frogs are averaging 243.5 passing yards per game.
• TCU has scored five passing touchdowns.
• The Frogs’ offense has given up two interceptions and three sacks.
• Through two games, Duggan (#15) has completed 31-of-50 passes. He has thrown four touchdown passes and two interceptions. He has a long completion of 47 yards.
• Duggan has run with the football 21 times for a net of 80 yards. He has two rushing touchdowns. He has a long run of 33 yards.
• TCU sophomore wide receiver Quentin Johnston (#1) is TCU’s leading receiver through two games. He has caught nine passes for 133 yards. He has two touchdown receptions. He has a long catch of 45 yards.
• Senior receiver Derius Davis (#11) has five receptions for 86 yards. He has a long catch of 47 yards.
• Sophomore wide receiver Blair Conwright (#22) and senior receiver JD Spielman (#10) each have one touchdown catch.
• Sophomore running back Zach Evans (#6) leads the Frogs in rushing. He has 217 yards on 27 carries. He has scored two rushing touchdowns. He has a long run of 51 yards.
• Evans’ 7.8 career yards per carry average ranks first nationally among active players.
• Sophomore running back Kendre Miller (#33) has rushed 12 times for 72 yards. He has scored one rushing touchdown.
• Senior running back Emari Demercado (#3) has one rushing touchdown.
• Kicker Griffin Kell has converted one-of-two field-goal attempts. This season he has a long field goal of 18 yards.
• TCU’s defense is allowing opponents to score 17.5 points per game.
• The Frogs’ opponents are averaging 289.5 total yards per game.
• Opponents are averaging 97 rushing yards per game.
• Opponents have scored two rushing touchdowns.
• TCU’s opponents are averaging 192.5 passing yards per game.
• Opponents have scored two passing touchdowns.
• TCU’s defense has intercepted one pass and gotten three sacks.
• Junior linebacker Dee Winters (#11) leads the TCU defense with 15 tackles, including two tackles for loss and one sack.
• Senior defensive end Dylan Horton (#98), junior defensive end Ochaun Mathis (#32), senior safety La’Kendrick Van Zandt (#20), sophomore linebacker Jamoi Hodge (#6) and sophomore defensive tackle Patrick Jenkins (#91) each have a tackle for loss.
• Junior cornerback Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson has TCU’s lone interception of the season.
• Junior punter Jordy Sandy (#31) has punted six times for an average of 48.2 yards per punt. He has not had a punt blocked.
• TCU has been the practice site the last couple of weeks for the New Orleans Saints, who were displaced from New Orleans by Hurricane Ida.
• New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton was featured in the TCU Riff-Ram video played during the Cal game. Watch the video: here 
• The Saints opened their 2021 regular season on September 12 with a 38-3 victory over Green Bay. Payton presented to Patterson a game ball from that victory. 
• The Saints are the third NFL team in the last 11 years to practice at TCU. The Dallas Cowboys have utilized the Horned Frogs' Sam Baugh Indoor Practice Facility. TCU was the host practice site for the Pittsburgh Steelers during Super Bowl XLV in Arlington. 
• 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.   
• 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 (60-30).
• 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; 45-3 victory), Cal (September 11; 34-32) and SMU (September 25, 11 am Central).  
• 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). 
• In six of the last nine odd-numbered years (2003, 2005, 2009, 2011, 2015, 2017), TCU has won at least 11 games.
• 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.   
• 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. 
• With the win over Duquesne to open the 2021 season, TCU now is 48-8 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. 
• 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.  
• TCU quarterback Max 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.
• 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 replaced 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. 
• 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). Duggan in 2020 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.  
• 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). 
• TCU led the Big 12 in rushing offense in 2020.  
• 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.  
• 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.  
• Avila, a redshirt junior center and a 2020 Honorable Mention All-Big 12 honoree, is on 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 is 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 is on 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. 
• 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.  
• Last season, Mathis, at defensive end, 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. 
• Mathis and TCU defensive end Khari Coleman have been named to the watch list for the Ted Hendricks Award, presented to the nation's top defensive end. TCU is one of four schools nationally to have more than one player on the list. 
• Sandy 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. 
• The Frogs’ Derius Davis, an electrifying kick returner and receiver, 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, Van Zandt, Noah Daniels and 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. 
• Patterson is TCU's overall winningest head football coach. Patterson's TCU head coaching record is 170-74. 
• Patterson’s 170 victories are the most by an active head coach nationally at his current school. His 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.

SMU Notables:   

• Despite their football players wearing jerseys with “Dallas” emblazoned on the front of them, Southern Methodist University (SMU) is located in University Park, Dallas County.  
• SMU is a private research institution. In addition to its University Park campus, the school has a satellite campus in Taos County, New Mexico. SMU was founded on April 17, 1911, by the Methodist Episcopal Church, South (now part of the United Methodist Church), in partnership with Dallas civic leaders.
• The George W. Bush Presidential Center, including a library and museum, is located on the southeast side of the SMU campus in University Park. The museum is joined by the George W. Bush Institute. The library and museum are administered by the National Archives and Records Administration. The institute is privately maintained. SMU has representation on the Institute board.
• SMU has approximately 110,000 alumni worldwide, with about 40,000 in the Fort Worth/Dallas Metroplex.
• SMU’s undergraduate enrollment is about 6,500 students.
• SMU’s athletic mascot is a Mustang, nicknamed Peruna.
• SMU’s athletic colors are red, white and blue.
• SMU touts itself as the birth place of modern-day cheerleading. Lawrence Herkimer who originated the pom-pom, the spirit stick, the Herkie jump, and founded the National Cheerleaders Association, is an SMU alumni cheerleader.
• SMU began playing football in 1915. The Ponies claim three national championships (1935, 1981 and 1982).
• The Doak Walker Award is an annual collegiate award given to the nation's "most outstanding college running back" for accomplishments on the field, achievement in the classroom and citizenship in the community. It was established in 1989 and is named after SMU Heisman Trophy winner Doak Walker. In 1998, the PwC Doak Walker Legends Award was created, recognizing an individual whose extraordinary collegiate football career has been bolstered by an exemplary record of leadership in the community.
• From 1918 to 1996, SMU was a member of the Southwest Conference, until it disbanded. The Shetlands subsequently joined the Western Athletic Conference. In 2005, SMU accepted an invitation to the Western Division of Conference USA (C-USA).
• In December 2011, the Big East Conference (since renamed The American) extended an invitation to SMU to join the conference for all sports beginning in the 2013–14 season. The school made the move alongside current Conference USA rivals Houston, Central Florida and Memphis. Three other C-USA rivals, East Carolina, Tulane and Tulsa, joined SMU in The American a year later.
• The American Athletic Conference (AAC) has 12 football members. In addition to SMU, the football member universities are Central Florida, Cincinnati, East Carolina, Houston, Memphis, Navy, South Florida, Temple, Tulane, Tulsa and Wichita State.
• Central Florida, Cincinnati and Houston have accepted invitations to join the Big 12 Conference, by at least July of 2024.
• At the end of the 2017 season, Sonny Dykes was named SMU's new football coach, replacing Chad Morris, who resigned as the Mustangs’ head coach to become coach at the University of Arkansas.
• In 1987, SMU football became the first, and currently only, football program in collegiate athletic history to receive the "death penalty" for repeat violation of NCAA rules, that is, having a sports program fully terminated for a determined amount of time. SMU's football program was terminated for the 1987 season because the University was making approximately $61,000 in booster payments from 1985 to 1986. It later emerged that a slush fund had been used to pay players as early as the mid-1970s, and athletic officials had known about it as early as 1981. SMU football gets death penalty: here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMs2_A1vr6g
• SMU was eligible for the "death penalty" because it had been placed on probation in 1985 for recruiting violations. Boosters would induce prospective student-athletes to sign with SMU by offering them payments and expense coverage.
• Not long after the NCAA handed down its sanctions against the Mustangs, SMU announced that its football team would stay shuttered for the 1988 season as well after school officials received indications that they wouldn't have enough experienced players to field a viable team as most of the team left the university and transferred to other institutions.
• Forrest Gregg, an SMU alum who was the head coach of the Green Gay Pacers, was hired in 1988 to help rebuild the team. The decimation of the program meant that Gregg was left with an undersized and underweight lineup; he was taller and heavier than virtually all of his players.
• The Ponies struggled for at least 20 years to recover from the effects of the scandal.
• Saturday’s game against TCU is SMU’s fourth of the 2021 season.
• SMU opened its 2021 season at home, on September 4, by beating Abilene Christian, 56-9.
• In their second game, the Mustangs beat North Texas, at home, on September 11, 35-12.
• SMU’s third game of the season was a 39-37 win over Louisiana Tech in Ruston, Louisiana. SMU won the game on the final play of the game. Mustangs quarterback Tanner Mordecai threw a Hail Mary pass into the end zone. The football was tipped into senior wide receiver Reggie Roberson, Jr.’s hands for an SMU touchdown.
• Against Louisiana Tech, Mordecai passed for 395 yards and a career-high five touchdowns. Mordecai was 36 of 48 (75%), turning in the most completions by an American Athletic Conference player this season.
• Mordecai’s performance against Louisiana Tech earned him American Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Week honors. 
• In the 2021 Coaches Week 4 Football Bowl Subdivision Top 25 poll, SMU is listed among "others receiving votes," in 44th place, with eight points. 
• Through three games, the SMU offense is averaging 43.33 points per game.
• SMU is averaging 535 yards per game of total offense
• The Mustangs are averaging 193 rushing yards per game.
• The Ponies have scored two rushing touchdowns.
• SMU is averaging 342 passing yards per game.
• SMU’s offense has not given up a sack through three games.
• SMU’s opponents have intercepted two Mustang passes.
• SMU junior quarterback Tanner Mordecai (#8), a transfer from the University of Oklahoma, has completed 81-of-111 passes. He has thrown 16 touchdown passes and two interceptions. He has a long pass completion of 62 yards.
• Mordecai’s 16 touchdown passes this season are five more than any other FBS player in 2021. 
• SMU leads the country in touchdown passes.
• Mordecai has run with the football 16 times for 84 yards. He has a long run of 20 yards.
• Sophomore running back Ulysses Bentley IV (#7) is the Mustangs’ leading rusher. He has gained 250 yards of 33 carries, for an average of 7.6 yards per carry. He has scored one rushing touchdown. He has a long run of 85 yards.
• Senior running back Tre Siggers (#4), a graduate transfer from the University of North Texas, has 147 rushing yards on 34 carries. He has a long run of 18 yards.
• Senior wide receiver Danny Gray (#5) is SMU’s leading receiver. He has caught 16 passes for 228 yards, for a per-catch average of 14.25 yards. He has four touchdown receptions. He has a long reception of 58 yards.
• Junior wide receiver Rashee Rice (#11) has caught 10 passes for 207 yards. He has four touchdown receptions. He has a long catch of 62 yards.
• Senior tight end Grant Calcaterra (#88), a graduate transfer from the University of Oklahoma, has caught 12 passes for 193 yards. He has three touchdown receptions and a long catch of 29 yards.
• Senior wide receiver Reggie Roberson, Jr. (#21), a transfer from the University of West Virginia, has caught 14 passes for 171 yards and one touchdown. He has a long reception of 47 yards.
• Sophomore tight end Nolan Matthews-Harris (#14), a transfer from Arizona State, has caught two touchdown passes.
• Sophomore wide receiver Jordan Kerley (#1), a transfer from Arizona State, and Bentley each have one touchdown catch.
• SMU kickers are two-of-four on field-goal attempts. Senior kicker Blake Mazza (#92), a graduate transfer from Washington State, has made two-of-three field goal attempts. He has a long field goal of 29 yards. He has not had an attempt blocked.
• True freshman kicker Brendan Hall (#93) has missed his only field-goal attempt of the season.
• Through three games, the SMU defense is allowing opponents to score 19.33 points per game.
• SMU opponents are averaging 440 yards of total offense per game.
• Opponents are averaging 124 rushing yards per game.
• SMU’s opponents have scored one rushing touchdown.
• Opponents are averaging 316 passing yards per game against SMU.
• The Mustangs’ opponents have scored six touchdowns through the air.
• The SMU defense has gotten five sacks through three games.
• The SMU defense has intercepted six passes through three games.
• Senior linebacker Delano Robinson (#3) leads the Ponies with 21 tackles, including 1.5 tackles for loss.
• Senior linebacker Shane Hailey (#23) has 19 tackles, including two tackles for loss.
• Freshman safety Isaiah Nwokobia (#12) has 11 tackles, two interceptions, one sack and one tackle for loss.
• Senior linebacker Gary Wiley (#55) has two sacks.
• Senior linebacker Richard Moore (#14), a transfer from Texas A&M, and junior defensive end Paul Nelson (#90) each have one sack.
• Senior safety Trevor Denbow (#16), junior safety Chace Cromartie (#18), sophomore safety Bryan Massey (#0), and junior linebacker Isaac Slade-Matautia (#41), a transfer from the University of Oregon, each have one interception.
• Punter Brendan Hall (#93) has punted eight times for an average of 44.38 yards per punt. He has a long punt of 67 yards. He has not had a punt blocked.
• Punter Matt Fraanje has punted five times for an average of 40.80 yards per punt. He has a long punt of 50 yards. He has not had a punt blocked.

2021 TCU Football Fan Guide: here

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

2021 Gary Patterson Luncheon Series: Gary Patterson/Frog Club luncheons, sponsored by Origin Bank: September 23, September 30, October 21, November 4 and November 18. The luncheons are 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 SMU Football Guide: here

2021 SMU Football Roster:  here

2021 SMU Football Schedule: here  

SMU Alma Mater: here 

SMU Traditions: 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 in 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

2021 TCU Gameday Parking and Traffic Information: here

sEcSPN College GameDay for September 25, 2021: sEcSPN GameDay will be in Chicago, Illinois, on Saturday, September 25, for the game at Soldier Field between Wisconsin and Notre Dame. The Badgers (1-1) will take on the Fighting Irish (3-0) at 11 am CT, on Fox. During the college football season, GameDay airs live on sEcSPN on Saturdays, from 8 to 11 am (Central).