Tuesday, October 23, 2001

Frogs step up play for Homecoming game
Players credit change in attitude to victory over Army and season highs for offense
By Brandon Ortiz
Sports Editor

Something was different for the Frogs Saturday.

For starters, the offense finally had a breakout game, rolling up 485 yards and scoring 38 points — both season highs. And junior Sean Stilley started at quarterback for junior Casey Printers, who was out with a bruised shoulder.

But the biggest difference, sophomore tailback Corey Connally said, was the intensity the Frogs (4-3, 2-1 Conference USA) played with in their 38-20 win over Army (1-5, 1-4).

“It was the attitude,” Connally said. “We went out there with the attitude we can’t lose. We had great enthusiasm today.”

David Dunai/SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER Junior receiver LaTarence Dunbar battles Army free safety Brent Dial for a deep pass Saturday. Dunbar did not haul in the pass, but he pulled in five others for 59 yards.

After the Frogs’ lost to Northwestern State (La.) Sept. 22 and Tulane Oct. 13, head coach Gary Patterson said the Frogs lacked intensity. But that was not the case against the Black Knights, Patterson said.

“This team, when it wants to, can come to play,” Patterson said. “What we have to do is decide to come every week.”

Senior weak safety Charlie Owens and seniors called a player’s only meeting to address the issue. Junior receiver Adrian Madise said the meeting had a big impact on the team’s play.

“In the locker room we had some guys who gave some great speeches,” Madise said. “Our whole demeanor was different this game. Our enthusiasm was up.”

Stilley, who accounted for 307 yards of total offense and mounting four touchdowns in his first career start, said the Frogs were not the same team that lost to Tulane 48-22 the week before.

“You could tell, there was something about it in the air,” said Stilley. “It was totally different.”

Players were not the only ones trying to get motivated. Players said Patterson was more vocal than usual, not hesitating to get into their faces.

“If they aren’t going to fight on the field, then they are going to have to fight me on the sidelines,” Patterson said. “If you watch me, I was in everybody’s face.”

Players said the team’s attitude was different. The team’s success offensively was different as well.

The Frogs’ offense, which entered the game averaging 280.8 yards a game, looked more like last season’s methodical offense than this season’s paltry offense.

“We were able to move the football down the field,” Patterson said. “That was the most impressive thing. Our offense was able to sustain a drive and punch it in.”

Stilley had the best game by a TCU quarterback this season, completing 21-of-29 passes (72.4 percent) for 273 yards and three touchdowns.

“We have been telling the quarterbacks a long time to take what the defense gives you,” Patterson said. “The passing game has to be like the running game: it is move the chains. It is not always throw it over their heads.”

An option quarterback in high school, Stilley ran for a touchdown and 34 yards. Connally ran for 151 yards and a touchdown. The Frogs used the option more often Saturday, which kept the Army defense off balance, Patterson said.

“You stop people from being able to blitz you (with the option),” Patterson said. “That is why you are watching a lot of teams across the nation — even Army — come back and run the one-back option, because it causes you problems when you blitz.”

Stilley noticed the Army defense was not like the ones he faced at Lake Highlands High School in Dallas.

“For a second, I did,” Stilley said. “Then I realized it wasn’t high school anymore. The guys are a lot faster.”

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