Tuesday, October 2, 2001

Run away success - Connally makes most of opportunity
Sophomore steps into starting lineup to run for 199 yards and lead Horned Frogs to victory
By Brandon Ortiz
Sports Editor

For much of the season, Corey Connally did not figure much into the Frogs’ running back-by-committee approach.

The sophomore entered Saturday’s game with a grand total of eight rushing yards for the season and did not even get a carry against Division I-AA Northwestern State (La.) Sept. 22.

David Dunai/SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER Sophomore tailback Corey Connally breaks free from a Houston tackler during TCU’s 34-17 victory Saturday. Connally finished with 199 carries on 30 attempts.

But with the Frogs’ top two running backs hobbled with injuries (sophomore Ricky Madison, ankle and quadriceps, and senior Andrew Hayes-Stoker, knee), Connally was called into action Saturday against the Houston Cougars.

The Crowley product did not disappoint, running for 199 yards on 30 attempts to lead the Frogs (3-2, 1-0 Conference USA) to 34-17 victory over Houston (0-3, 0-1 C-USA).
“He did an awesome job,” head coach Gary Patterson said. “Like a back I used to know.”

Connally had the best game by a TCU tailback since LaDainian Tomlinson’s 118-yard performance in the GMAC Mobile Alabama Bowl on Dec. 20.

Entering Saturday’s game, Connally had just seven carries for the season. With Madison and Hayes-Stoker ailing, Connally was told he would start Thursday.

“I’ve been working hard, but I hadn’t been in any game situations,” Connally said. “It was a chance for me to prove my endurance and hold up. Everything came out fine.

“I finally got my opportunity,” Connally said. “It has been a long time.”

It did not take long for Connally to make an immediate impact. On his first carry, Connally turned the corner for a 7-yard gain. Three plays later, Connally followed a block by senior tight end Matt Schobel downfield for a 31 yards.

In the second quarter, Connally broke free for an 80-yard touchdown, the Frogs longest scoring play of the season. LaDainian Tomlinson notwithstanding, Connally’s 80-yard sprint was the longest by a TCU player since Andre Davis ripped an 87-yard touchdown in 1994.

“I was able to break a tackle, and it was all I needed,” Connally said. “I was off to the races. I’ve been waiting for that for a long time.”

By the end of the first half, Connally was already the Frogs’ first back of the season to rush for 100 yards in a game with 13 carries for 150 yards.

“He was kind of forced into the role because (Madison) was beat up pretty bad and (Hays-Stoker) had the bad knee,” offensive coordinator Mike Schultz said. “I told him from the very beginning we weren’t scared to put him in the game. I’ve said from the very beginning we have three capable backs. It was (Connally’s) night to step up and he did it in a big way.”

Brandon Ortiz
b.p.ortiz@student.tcu.edu