Patterson says matchup with Louisville will not lack any intensity, emotion
By Danny Gillham
Sports Editor

It is only the second career matchup for the Frogs and conference foe Louisville, but it already seems that there is no love lost between the two.

A 4-5 Frogs squad last season beat the Cardinals, giving Louisville their only blemish on their conference record, and knocking them off the top-20 rankings.

Since then, off the field comments during the off-season have both teams in a state that makes the game appear to be more than just another conference matchup.

“All I’ve been hearing is about how their emotions (are) up because of what happened last year and they thinking that I helped Kentucky with their game plan, and Mama’s Pizza and all that,” head coach Gary Patterson said, referring to an earlier comment this year about the Louisville’s Papa Johns Stadium. “All we care is Louisville. It sounds like to me in some ways that maybe we should just forfeit because their fired up.”

In the off-season, the Frog coaching staff held a coaching clinic and a film shown contained clips from the Louisville game last year. Kentucky defensive coordinator John Goodner was at the clinic, and used some of TCU’s schemes in his game plan for their season opener with the Cardinals. The Wildcats ended up sacking Louisville quarterback Dave Ragone four times in a 22-17 win.

Patterson said Louisville coaches accused him of game planning with Kentucky.

“John Goodner, we have been exchanging ideas for about 10 years on how our packages are,” Patterson said. “They decided to use it in the Louisville game. Any of the rest of it has nothing (to do with it). At least I didn’t think I was on their sidelines.”

Then Patterson paused and said “But I will be Saturday.”

“If they want intensity, we’ll be right there,” Patterson said. “Because I feel like we have some good players, (like) LaMarcus McDonald, Adrian Madise and LaTarence Dunbar. We have some people that want to show up and play in this ballgame too. Whether we win or lose, they beat us 100 points or however it turns out it makes no difference, but TCU will be at Papa John’s Stadium on Saturday at 1 (p.m.)”

Stilley could be ready to go
Sean Stilley’s injured throwing shoulder continues to improve, and Patterson says the senior quarterback is about 75 percent healthy. If he is efficient with his reps this week, Stilley could be used Saturday at Louisville, Patterson said.

Stilley injured his right shoulder against North Texas Sept. 21.

Battling the fatigue factor
Patterson wants his team to be sharp and fast against Louisville, so he decided to give them a little extra rest leading up to Saturday. The team did not practice Sunday, to go along with their normal Monday off-day. Tuesday the team returned to the field for the normal 24 period practice, but it is expected that the number of periods will be reduced in rest of the week’s practices.

Modkins to have an MRI
Sophomore safety Jeremy Modkins will have tests to see the full extent of his injured shoulder, which he hurt in practice last week. Patterson said Modkins could have played against Army, but was held out. Modkins could play against Louisville.

Schobel thriving at left end
Patterson said he is pleased with the performance of his defensive line lately. Of those lineman, junior defensive end Bo Schobel stands out at the moment. Since trading places with junior Robert Pollard on the defensive line, Schobel has had three sacks and eight tackles for loss.

Hayter has chance to play
While Patterson said that junior tailback Ricky Madison will start against Louisville, junior Kenny Hayter may be available for the game. Hayter hasn’t played since the North Texas game, when he separated his shoulder in the first half. Patterson said the 6-foot, 224 pound Hayter would give the Frogs a bigger back, and if he can go through all the drills with pads successfully, could be making the trip to Louisville.