Football team reminiscent of 2000 squad
An eight-game winning streak has the Frogs looking more and more like the LaDainian Tomlinson- led team of 2000, but not without differences.

By Danny Gillham
Sports Editor

As the wins continue to stockpile for the Frogs, the team’s statistics, conference standing and positioning in the top 25 begin to resemble that of a team from the not-so distant past.

If the 8-1 Frogs (No. 25, Associated Press) win their next two games the team would have an identical regular season record as the 2000 squad, which finished the season No. 20 in the polls and had the nation’s No. 1 defense.

The current team sits at the top of the conference standings, controlling its own destiny in its quest for a Conference USA crown. They also now possess the No. 2 defense in the country, allowing 247 total yards a game.

Senior defensive tackle John Turntine, who saw significant time in 2000, said it’s a good thing to be compared in the same breath as the old team.

“It feels good knowing that they had one of the best records in TCU history, and we have the opportunity to do the same thing,” Turntine said. “That just kind of shows you where we came from in our freshman year.”

The team this season takes pride in the fact that it feels C-USA provides a bigger challenge for them than what the 2000 team did in the Western Athletic Conference.

“Two years ago you could kind of let down a little when you played Rice and SMU,” senior wide receiver LaTarence Dunbar said. “This year we don’t know who may step up and beat us, so we have to play hard week by week.”

The 2000 team is best known for LaDainian Tomlinson, the Frogs all-everything back that is now torturing defenses for the San Diego Chargers. That Frogs squad had six players selected in the 2001 NFL Draft, all of whom were taken in the first four rounds.

Head coach Gary Patterson said the thing standing out in his mind is that this team doesn’t have personal agendas, unlike 2000.

“They’re not worried about where they’re going to go in the draft,” Patterson said. “They’re not worried about all the other things. They’re just worried about playing together, having a good time and winning football games and conference championships.”

Dunbar said regardless of the last two games, the legacy of the team will be on how the Frogs were a team.

“The only thing that people remember about that 2000 year is LT and that we lost to San Jose State,” Dunbar said. “I think this team will be known more as a team than a bunch of individuals.”

Turntine said the 2002 team’s legacy exceeds past the football field.

“I think we can leave one the best legacies in TCU history,” Turntine said. “Going 10-1 and to five consecutive bowl games, graduating 22 seniors with five in grad school. When you look back on that, you see achievement not only on the field but off the field.”

d.r.gillham@tcu.edu