March 29, 2003

The second team offense, featuring redshirt freshman Robert Merrill, provided much of the excitement as the TCU Horned Frogs went through their second full scrimmage of the spring on a chilly and windy Saturday morning at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth.

Merrill carried 22 times for 175 yards and three touchdowns during the 84-play scrimmage. The 5-10, 190-pound back from San Antonio's Taft High School went 60 yards off right tackle for one touchdown, carried a couple defenders into the end zone from three yards our for a second score, and added a 20-yard touchdown burst. He also broke a 56-yard run off left tackle on his first carry of the day.

"I'm just trying to stay consistent with my running, blocking and pass protection," said Merrill. "I'm learning a lot from Ricky Madison and Lonta Hobbs. Ricky is a senior and has been through it it in the past, and Lonta ran for 1,000 yards last year. They're both great running backs. I just try to make a good play when I come in the game and take it one day at a time."

Madison added 90 yards on 16 carries, including a 60-yard scamper down the sideline after taking an option pitch from Cory Rodgers, as the TCU offense rushed for 226 yards on the ground on 59 carries.

"I thought the number two offense did a good job," said TCU Head Coach Gary Patterson. "The caliber of Merrill is a cut above the rest of those (second team) guys. The number one offense needs to get more consistent. We only scored one touchdown against the first team offense and that came on a trick play. We have to put the ball in the end zone when we give them good field position. Defensively, we need to establish our depth. We're not where we've been depth-wise over the past couple of years," he noted.

Other highlights from Saturday's scrimmage included an acrobatic 40-yard touchdown reception by redshirt freshman Cory Rodgers and an interception by defensively lineman Brandon Johnson after he batted a pass in the air.

The Frogs will resume spring drills on Tuesday and Thursday of next week. Next Saturday is the annual Spring Game, which begins at 11:00 a.m. at Amon G. Carter Stadium. The Spring Game concludes the spring practice schedule.

RUSHING:

Robert Merrill 22-175; Ricky Madison 16-90; Corey Connally 3-10; Michael DePriest 1-8; Tanner Davidson 2-7; Jeff Ballard 5-(-4); Kyle Kummer 1-(-11); Brandon Hassell 9-(-49); TEAM TOTALS: 59-226.

PASSING:

Jeff Ballard 8-6-0, 101; Brandon Hassell 9-2-1, 52; Kyle Kummer 5-2-0, 25; TEAM TOTALS: 22-10-1, 183.

RECEIVING:

Cory Rodgers 3-57; Kevin Brown 1-30; Cody McCarty 1-27; Chad Andrus 1-21; Reggie Harrell 1-15; Tanner Davidson 1-15; Robert Merrill 1-14; Quentily Harmon 1-4; TEAM TOTALS: 10-183.