HBU PREVIEW
The Huskies open the season with a visit to Texas State.
Series history: First meeting. Key players: TCU — RB Kyle Hicks, C Austin Schlottman, LB Travin Howard; Jackson State — RB Robert Johnson, WR Jevon Floyd, DE Keontre Anderson Who has the edge:
Offense – TCU. Returning QB Kenny Hill threw for 3,208 yards and 17 TDs in 2016, but he also tossed 13 interceptions, so he spent time in the offseason working on sharpening his throws. The Horned Frogs also return four starting offensive linemen and Hicks, who last season was the first running back to lead the team in rushing (2031,042 yards, 12 TDs) and receptions (47-417, 2 TDs) since 1993.
Defense – TCU. The versatile Howard led the Big 12 with 130 tackles, including three for loss and 1.5 sacks last season. He also recorded one interception and one forced fumble. The Frogs also return FS Niko Small, second-leading tackler LB Ty Summers (121) and DE Mat Boesen, who registered six sacks as a junior.
Special teams – TCU. Kicking woes cost the Horned Frogs at least a couple wins last season. Punter Adam Nunez averaged 39.6 yards per punt last season, and Desmon White returned 13 punts for 102 yards.
Notable: Offensive coordinator Doug Meacham, who brought the Air Raid offense to Fort Worth in 2014, took the OC job at Kansas, so Sonny Cumbie, brought in as Meacham’s co-OC and quarterbacks coach, will call the plays. The Frogs are unranked in the preseason for the first time since 2014.
About TCU: The Horned Frogs are coming off only their third losing campaign in coach Gary Patterson’s 16 seasons at the helm. They went 5-6 in 2004, 4-8 in 2013 and 6-7 last year, dropping their of their final four games after a double-overtime setbackagainst Texas Tech..
About Jackson State: The Tigers lost their first three games under second-year coach Tony Hughes, , rebounded to win three of their next four in SWAC play, then ended 2016 on a fourgame losing streak. They expect to see improvement in 2017, with Johnson and WR Jevon Floyd back to lead the offense, and Anderson and LB Andre Lloyd anchoring the defense.