TCU defense determined to finish on a high note
Stanford RB Love is the latest challenge for Big 12’s No. 1 unit
SAN ANTONIO — When TCU started preseason practices, one of its best options at defensive end was a player who had never manned the position.
Ty Summers did not stay there for long, though, and the Horned Frogs’ concerns about their passrushing ability were short-lived as well.
Ben Banogu and Mat Boesen, a pair of transfers, ended up making defensive end a position of strength for TCU. Boesen led the Big 12 with 11½ sacks, while Banogu was second with 8½.
“A lot (of people) thought that the D-line would be our weakest link,” Banogu said. “I kind of felt like we came out with a purpose this year.”
The rest of TCU’s defense was just as eager to prove itself a year after allowing at least 30 points in seven of 13 games, which contributed to the Horned Frogs’ 6-7 record. This year, TCU boasted the best defense in the Big 12, leading the conference in total defense, scoring defense and sacks.
The 15th-ranked Horned Frogs (10-3) might need their best defensive game yet in Thursday night’s Valero Alamo Bowl against No. 13 Stanford (9-4), which has arguably the best running back in college football. Bryce Love was a finalist for the Heisman Trophy after rushing for 1,973 yards during the regular season.
Torched by Mayfield
“It’s going to be a real big challenge,” said TCU safety Nick Orr, whose team faced Heisman-winning quarterback Baker Mayfield of Oklahoma in its most recent outing, a drubbing in the Big 12 championship game by Heisman-winning quarterback Baker Mayfield of Oklahoma. “It’s going to be exciting.”
Orr is among the elder statesmen for the TCU defense, along with linebackers Summers, a redshirt junior who graduated from Reagan, and Travin Howard. Howard was the defensive most valuable player in the Alamo Bowl two years ago, when the Horned Frogs rallied from a 31-0 halftime deficit to beat Oregon 47-41 in triple overtime.
Howard will end his college career back in the Alamodome and as TCU’s career tackles leader under 17th-year coach Gary Patterson. While solidifying his place in the Horned Frogs’ record book, he also has witnessed an up-and-coming group of defensive players solidify themselves.
Banogu is a first-year TCU player, while Boesen is in his second season with the Horned Frogs. Freshman defensive tackle Ross Blacklock was a standout in the trenches as well, being named co-defensive freshman of the year in the Big 12.
“The defense has grown up a lot,” Howard said. “I feel like we’re playing well.”
TCU hopes to play well in the Alamo Bowl after allowing a season high in points as OU won 41-17 in the Big 12 title game. The Horned Frogs have been preparing to do that in practice while also preparing their next wave of defensive standouts.
Glimpse of future
Patterson said TCU likes to look ahead while practicing for bowls, so some promising young defensive players have gotten more repetitions. Included in that group, according to defensive coordinator Chad Glasgow, are junior safety Markell Simmons and freshman linemen Corey Bethley, Dennis Collins and Terrell Cooper.
Those players hope to leave TCU with more answers than questions entering next season. As for this year’s team, the Horned Frogs and their five senior starters on defense want to finish strong.
“I feel like we leave a good legacy,” Orr said. “We set a real good standard this year.”