Defense leads all-conference choices
By Danny Gillham
Sports Editor

When the pre-season accolades came out for Conference USA, only three members of the football team were picked as all-conference selections.

Then again, the team itself was predicted to finish fourth in the conference.

Now, after a 9-2 season, a share of the C-USA title with the chance of the outright crown and a trip to the AXA Liberty Bowl, the league has taken noticed.

Ten members of the Frogs were listed to the first and second teams of C-USA.

“It is good to have that many people on the team,” head coach Gary Patterson said. “With 10 guys, I think that is the most in the conference. There are some quality players in this conference, so that is a positive.”

Leading the way were six members of the Frogs defense. The team currently holds the No. 1 rushing defense in the nation (62.64), and the No. 2 total defense (249.45).

Senior linebacker LaMarcus McDonald (113 tackles, 10 sacks), junior defensive end Bo Schobel (53 tackles/eight sacks) and senior cornerback Jason Goss (49 tackles/seven interceptions) were named to the first-team.

Senior defensive tackle John Turntine (33 tackles/six sacks), junior defensive tackle Chad Pugh (41 tackles/six sacks) and senior safety Kenneth Hilliard (69 tackles/four interceptions) were named to the second team.

“When you have one of the top defenses in the nation, there are going to be some guys who are the reason for that,” Patterson said.

Schobel is the second member of his family to earn all-conference for TCU. His cousin Aaron was a three-time All-Western Athletic Conference defensive end for the Frogs (1998-2000).

Schobel said the award came as a shock to him.

“It is just exciting,” Schobel said. “I didn’t expect it, but I’m very happy about it.”

Other first-team selections included senior offensive lineman Jamal Powell and junior kicker Nick Browne (22-28 field goals).

Senior LaTarence Dunbar made the list twice, earning second-team honors as a wide receiver (25 receptions/three touchdowns) and as a kick returner (28.8 average/one touchdown).

Also announced was the all-freshman team, with the Frogs having a representative on each side of the ball.

True freshman running back Lonta Hobbs was named to the freshman offensive team. Hobbs, who didn’t play until the fifth game of the season, rushed for a TCU single- season freshman record for rushing yards (952) and touchdowns (13).

Redshirt freshman Ranorris Ray garnered recognition on defense. Playing in 10 games, Ray assembled 19 tackles and one sack.

Danny Gillham