Frogs go helmet-to-helmet with USF
By John Ashley Menzies
Staff Reporter

Something will have to give Friday night in Tampa, Fla.

TCU and South Florida both have winning streaks on the line coming onto their 7 p.m. meeting at Raymond James Stadium.

TCU rides a seven-game winning streak that stretches back to the 2002 season and are 15-1 in its last 16 games. USF currently has a 21-game home winning streak that is second only to the 25-game winning streak that Miami holds at the Orange Bowl.

Head football coach Gary Patterson said the team cannot treat this like a big game.

“We’ve got to get ready for the games we’re suppose to win, and we let the big games take care of themselves,” Patterson said.

Patterson said if you get ready for only the big games, you make mistakes, and it is even more deflating when you lose those games. He said then the team cannot win the games it is are suppose to win, he said.
Junior tight end Cody McCarty said Patterson prepares the players the same for each game.

“Coach Patterson always tells us that the next game is the big game,” McCarty said.

Patterson said the team has their work cut out for them. He said USF runs a no-huddle offense that can cause problems for defensive matchups and runs and throws out of the no-huddle, sometimes lining up two backs.

Patterson said his corners, who haven’t given up a passing touchdown in the last two games, have looked good over the past few games. But he said USF will be a big test for them.

McCarty said USF looked quick on film and its defense “will hit you in the mouth.” He said the USF defense reminded him of TCU’s defense because of how athletic and physical it is.

Patterson said TCU cannot allow USF to run the ball and must avoid big plays.

“They will catch the ball, but we can’t let them run after the catch,” Patterson said.

Offensively, Patterson said the Frogs have to run the football and score in the red zone, something they have not been able to do. McCarty said the red zone problems stem from a lack of execution.

Patterson said the offense will get a lift as sophomore quarterback Tye Gunn will return to his starting role.

Redshirt freshman Robert Merrill will get his third start at running back while running backs Lonta Hobbs and Kenny Hayter and quarterback Brandon Hassell will all see playing time, he said.

McCarty said the team does not see much difference in Gunn and Hassell at quarterback. He said they both move the ball and know how to handle the team.

“They are both good field generals, as some like to say,” McCarty said.

With Gunn’s return and Hobbs getting playing time, the injury bug that has hampered TCU’s depth could be going away.

“Depth is always a concern,” Patterson said. “But I’ll say this; I do feel better going into this week than prior weeks.”

Patterson said he likes that the game is Friday this week so that players can get a couple of days off to heal from minor injuries. He also said he is relieved that the game will be on the East Coast instead of the West Coast.

“We got home from Arizona at 6:30 a.m.” Patterson said. “It’s a great feeling to finish up a game at 11 or 12 and know it’s only 10 or 11 p.m. back home.”