From 1-10 to 10-1, Frogs to Play in Mobile Alabama Bowl
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The 2000 Western Athletic Conference champion TCU Horned Frogs ended the
regular-season with a 62-7 win over crosstown rival SMU, improving TCU's
record to 10-1. Just three years ago, the TCU senior class suffered thru
a dismal 1-10 season. By virtue of the win over the Mustangs, the Frogs
earned a share of the WAC title, their second in as many years. The
championship was TCU's second in the WAC, and the 10th conference title in
school history.
Frogs to Face Southern Miss in the Mobile Alabama Bowl
Following TCU's 24-7 win over Fresno State, the Frogs accepted an
invitation to return to the Mobile Alabama Bowl. Last season, TCU defeated
East Carolina, 28-14, in the inaugural Mobile Alabama Bowl. The bowl
appearance will be TCU's third straight - a first for the Frogs. TCU has
never appeared in bowl games in three consecutive seasons. TCU will face
Southern Mississippi in the December 20th contest. The game will be
televised nationally by ESPN2.
TCU-Southern Miss Rivalry
The Frogs and Golden Eagles are meeting for only the second time. The two
teams last met in the 1989 season, when TCU defeated Southern Miss, 19-17,
in Fort Worth. Beginning next fall, the two teams will become conference
rivals as the Frogs will be a member of Conference USA.
TCU Bowl History
The Frogs are in post-season play for the third consecutive year, and the
17th time overall. TCU has an overall bowl record of 6-9-1, including back
to back bowl wins over East Carolina and USC. Last season, TCU defeated
East Carolina, 28-14 in the inaugural Mobile Alabama Bowl. Two years ago,
the Frogs knocked off USC, 28-19, in the Sun Bowl. The USC win was TCU's
first bowl win since they defeated Syracuse (28-27) in the 1957 Cotton
Bowl.
Frogs Dominate All-WAC Team
TCU led the WAC in first-team All-WAC players with 10, while co-champion
UTEP had seven. LaDainian Tomlinson was named the WAC Offensive Player of
the Year, and Aaron Schobel was named the WAC Defensive Player of the
Year. First-team selections are offensive linemen David Bobo, Mike
Keathley and Jeff Millican, tailback LaDainian Tomlinson, defensive
linemen Aaron Schobel and Shawn Worthen, linebacker Shannon Brazzell,
defensive backs Curtis Fuller and Greg Walls, plus kicker Chris Kaylakie.
Second-team honorees include defensive back Russell Gary and return
specialist LaTarence Dunbar. Honorable mention choices include
quarterback Casey Printers and linebacker Chad Bayer.
All-American Honors
LaDainian Tomlinson has been named a unanimous All-American. Tomlinson
was named to each of the following All-American teams, Walter Camp,
Football Writers Association of America, American Football Coaches
Association, The Sporting News, Associated Press, Football News.
Offensive tackle David Bobo and defensive end Aaron Schobel were
second-team All-America honorees by The Sporting News.
Doak Walker Award
LaDainian Tomlinson was named the winner of the 2000 Doak Walker National
Running Back Award. The official announcement was made on Thursday,
December 7. The other two finalists (listed alphabetically) were:
Damien Anderson (Northwestern)
Anthony Thomas (Michigan)
Football News Player of the Year
LaDainian Tomlinson has been named the Football News Offensive Player of
the Year. Tomlinson, who received unanimous All-America honors, won the
award over Chris Weinke (Florida State), Drew Brees (Purdue) and Josh
Heupel (Oklahoma).
Frank Broyles Award
TCU defensive coordinator Gary Patterson is one of six finalists for the
Broyles Award, which honors the nation's top assistant coach. The
recepient of the award will announced on January 12. Patterson's defense
ended the year ranked number one in the nation in both total defense and
scoring defense.
A Balanced Team
TCU will finish in the top-10 nationally in 13 team and individual
categories this season, including five number one rankings. The Frogs lead
the NCAA in total defense, scoring defense, kickoff returns. LaDainian
Tomlinson leads the NCAA in individual rushing and LaTarence Dunbar is the
national leader in kickoff returns.
Winning Season
For the first time since 1938, the Frogs won at least 10 games in a
season. The 1938 Frogs won the national championship with an 11-0 record.
Overall, this is only the fifth time that TCU has won at least 10 games in
a single-season. The 1935 Frogs won a school-record 12 games. This is
TCU's second straight season of at least eight wins. The last time TCU won
at least eight games in consecutive seasons was 1958-59, when the Frogs
won at eight games in both years. The Frogs have posted three straight
winning seasons for the first time since the 1950s, when the Frogs
recorded winning seasons in 1955-56-57-58-59. The winning campaign is the
fifth in the last seven years, and the eighth in the last 35 years.
Red Zone Scoring Success
TCU has been extremely successful when penetrating the "Red Zone" during
the 2000 season. The Frogs have scored points in 43 (31 touchdowns/12
field goals) of their 44 drives inside the opponents' 20-yard line. TCU
had converted their first 32 opportunities this season, but against Fresno
State, the Frogs missed a field goal in the 2nd quarter ending TCU's
perfect record in the Red Zone. Last season, TCU scored on 35-of-43 trips
(26 TDs/9 FGs) in the Red Zone. Opponents have scored in 13-of-22 trips (8
TD/5 FG) inside the TCU 20-yard line.
Poll Notes
The Frogs have been nationally ranked every week this season. TCU enters
the Mobile Alabama Bowl ranked 13th by the Associated Press and 16th by
ESPN/USA Today. Earlier this season, TCU was ninth - the highest the Frogs
have been ranked since December 2, 1959, when TCU was ranked 7th by the
AP. Before this season, TCU last appeared in the national polls on October
23, 1990, when TCU was ranked 24th by the AP and 19th by UPI. TCU's
preseason national ranking was the first for the school since the 1960
season, when the Frogs were ranked 11th by the AP.
All-American LaDainian Tomlinson
One of the premier college football players in the country... a finalist for
the 2000 Heisman Trophy and Doak Walker National Running Back Award...
selected as the Football News National Offensive Player of the Year... a
unanimous All-American... the Western Athletic Conference Player of the
Year... burst onto the college football scene with an NCAA single-game
record 406 yards rushing on 43 attempts against UTEP on November 20, 1999.
Season Notes
Tomlinson led the nation in rushing with 2,158 yards (196.2). LT finished
second in scoring (12.0), second in all-purpose yards (199.8) and 50th in
total offense (196.2).
Tomlinson's 2,158 yards is a single-season TCU record, a WAC record and it
ranks fourth in NCAA History.
Tomlinson's season rushing total is the most by a running back from the
state of Texas. Ricky Williams (Texas) rushed for 2,124 yards in the 1998
season. LT is the third running back from the state of Texas to break the
2,000 yard barrier. Texas Tech's Byron Hanspard rushed for 2,084 yards in
the 1996 season.
Tomlinson scored a school-record 132 points this season, 26 more than the
TCU defense has allowed.
Tomlinson scored a school-record 22 touchdowns this season. Last season, LT
scored a then school-record tying 18 touchdown. Jim Swink scored 18
touchdowns in the 1955 season. LT has scored 30 touchdowns in the last 13
regular-season games.
Tomlinson has rushed for at least 100 yards in all 11 games this season,
breaking the school record of nine, which was set by Kenneth Davis in 1984.
LT has rushed for at least 200 yards in five games this season, establishing
a TCU record for 200-yard games in a season.
He has a team-leading 36 explosives this season, including five touchdown
runs of 64 yards or more. Explosives are running plays of 12 yards or more.
He is a four-time WAC player of the Week selection this season.
A first-team All-America selection by the Football Writers Association of
America, Football News, Associated Press, The Sporting News, American
Football Coaches Association and the Walter Camp Foundation.
A first-team All-WAC selection by the league's head coaches, Dallas Morning
News, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Football News and The Sporting News.
Game By Game Notes
Against SMU, Tomlinson rushed for 174 on 26 carries, scoring once on a
74-yard run in the second quarter. The 100+ day was the 11th of the season
and the 13th consecutive overall.
LT moved past Archie Griffin and Herschel Walker into sixth in career
rushing yards.
LT's 74-yard run in the second quarter was his second longest run of the
year, and it is tied for fifth longest in his career.
The 26 carries were the fewest in a game for LT since rushing 27 times
against Tulsa on October 21. LT had only five carries in the 2nd half.
Tomlinson rushed for a season-high 305 yards on 33 attempts against UTEP.
The outing ranks second in his career and fourth in TCU history. He scored
three times on touchdown runs of 68, 89 and one yard.
LT's 68-yard run in the first quarter moved him past Colorado State's Steve
Bartalo (4,813) to become the WAC's all-time leading rusher.
The 89-yard run matched the longest run of his career and his own school
record for the longest run from scrimmage.
The touchdown runs of 68 and 89 yards against UTEP were his ninth and 10th
rushes of 63 yards or more in his career.
The 300-yard day was Tomlinson's 10th 100-yard day, his fifth 200-yard game
and his first 300-yard game of the season. Overall, it was the 20th time he
rushed for 100 yards, the eighth time he has reached the 200-yard mark, and
the third time he went over 300 yards.
In three games against UTEP, LT rushed for 788 yards and 13 touchdowns on 95
attempts, an average of 262.6 yards a game and 8.3 yards per attempt. The
788 yards is an NCAA career record for most yards against one opponent,
breaking the previous record held by Oklahoma's Mike Gaddis, who rushed for
690 yards in three games against Oklahoma State.
Tomlinson rushed for 231 yards on 42 attempts against Fresno State. He
scored one touchdown, a then-season-best 65-yard run in the 3rd quarter. The
200-yard day was the fourth this year and the seventh in his career. He
moved past Marshall Faulk into 2nd in WAC career rushing yards.
LT rushed for 155 yards and scored two touchdowns on 32 attempts at San Jose
St. as the Frogs were knocked off, 27-24.
LT rushed for 200 yards and scored two touchdowns on 41 attempts as the
Frogs defeated Rice, 37-0.
Against Tulsa, Tomlinson surpassed the 1,000-yard mark, becoming the first
TCU player to surpass 1,000 yards in more than one season. He rushed for 119
yards and scored a touchdown in TCU's 17-3 win.
Tomlinson rushed for a then-season-high 294 yards and four touchdowns on a
school-record 49 attempts against Hawaii. The outing was the third best day
in his career, and it ranks fifth in TCU history. In the process, he became
the first TCU player to rush for over 4,000 yards in a career.
Despite playing only three quarters against Arkansas State, he rushed for
140 yards on 23 carries, a 6.1 average. He scored touchdowns on runs of 64
yards and one yard.
LT rushed for 243 yards on 39 attempts against Northwestern, scoring two
touchdowns.
Despite playing only three quarters against Nevada, Tomlinson rushed for
176 yards and three touchdowns on 24 attempts. He had one pass reception for
two yards.
Career Notes
Tomlinson is the first TCU player to finish in the top-five in the Heisman
Trophy voting since Kenneth Davis finishe fifth in 1984. Sam Baugh finished
fourth in 1936, Davey O'Brien won the award in 1938, Jim Swink was the
runner-up in 1955 and Kenneth Davis finished fifth in 1984.
LT's 5,263 yards in his career ranks sixth in NCAA history. He is only the
ninth player in NCAA history to surpass the 5,000 yard barrier. His total
is also a WAC record.
LT is the TCU record holder for touchdowns with 54. All 54 of his
touchdowns have been on the ground. LT ranks second in WAC history and
eighth in NCAA history in career rushing touchdowns.
LT has scored 324 points in his career. The total is tied for 13th in NCAA
history, and is first in TCU history.
Tomlinson is first in the NCAA among active leading rushers with 5,263
career rushing yards on 907 attempts. Tomlinson is trailed by Anthony
Thomas (Michigan) who rushed for 4,308 yards.
He has eclipsed the 100-yard barrier on a school-record 21 occasions in his
career, including each of the last 13 regular-season games. The Frogs have a
record of 17-4 when LT rushes for at least 100 yards.
He has rushed for 2,689 yards in the last 13 regular-season games, an
average of 206.8 yards per game.
Since becoming a starter in the 1999 season, LT has rushed for 4,008 yards,
an average of 182.2 yards per game. LT has started 27 games in his career,
including four as a sophomore. However, two of the four games he started in
the 1998 season came as a fullback.
He is TCU's all-time leader in all-purpose yards (6337) and total yards
(rushing and receiving only) of offense (5493).
His career all-purpose total of 6,337 yards ranks 11th in NCAA history.
He has recorded 75 explosives in the last two seasons. Explosives are
running plays of 12 yards or more.
He has been named the WAC Player of the week on 11 occasions.
More on LT
LT is the third consecutive running back to repeat as the NCAA rushing
champion. Troy Davis (Iowa State) led the NCAA in rushing in 1995 and 1996,
and then Ricky Williams (Texas) led the NCAA in rushing in 1997 and 1998. LT
led the country in rushing in 1999 with 1,850 yards - the first TCU player
to lead the nation in rushing. Overall, only eight players have led the
nation in rushing in consecutive seasons.
LT and Ricky Williams (Texas) are the only players in NCAA Division I
history that have rushed for 2,000 yards in a season and 5,000 yards in a
career.
He is the first TCU running back to earn first-team All-America honors
since Kenneth Davis in 1984. Jim Swink earned first-team All-America honors
in 1955.
Entering the 2000 football season, Tomlinson is the only running back in
NCAA Division I history to surpass the 400-yard mark in a single-game.
He is averaging 109.5 yards per game against ranked opponents. Since
Tomlinson arrived at TCU in 1997, the Frogs have faced four
nationally-ranked foes. He has rushed for 438 yards on 96 attempts, scoring
five touchdowns. TCU has a record of 2-2 in the four games.
He owns six of TCU's top-eight single-game rushing efforts.
He is the TCU single-season record holder in attempts in a game (49 vs.
Hawaii in 2000), attempts in a season (369 in 2000), yards in a game (406),
yards in a season (2,158).
He owns four of TCU's 15 longest runs from scrimmage, including a pair of
school-record 89-yard touchdown runs against UTEP this season and vs. San
Jose State last year. Tomlinson also had an 80-yard touchdown run against
Tulsa and a 79-yard run at Arkansas State.
A first-team pre-season All-America selection by Athlon, Playboy, Football
News, The Sporting News, Texas Football, Blue Ribbon, Street and Smith and
Preview Sports... a second-team All-America honoree by Lindy's... WAC
Preseason Offensive Player of the Year by Athlon, The Sporting News, Dave
Campbell's Texas Football, Street and Smith, Preview Sports, Rivals.com and
Lindy's... Texas Colleges Offensive Player of the Year by Dave Campbell's
Texas Football.
Tomlinson Year by Year
1999 (Junior)
Led the NCAA in rushing with 1,850 yards (168.1), 16 yards more than Ron
Dayne... the first TCU running back to lead the country in rushing... the WAC
Offensive Player of the Year by the league's head coaches, Fort Worth
Star-Telegram and the Dallas Morning News... unanimous All-WAC selection by
Football News, WAC, Fort Worth Star-Telegram and Dallas Morning News... one of
15 semifinalists for National Player of the Year honors by Football News...
finished fourth in voting for the 1999 Doak Walker award and 14th in the
voting for the 1999 Heisman Trophy... he received one first-place vote, two
second-place votes and six third-place votes for the Heisman... a
second-team All-American by the Associated Press...a third-team All-American
by Football News and The Sporting News... five-time WAC Player of the Week
(Arkansas State, San Jose State, Tulsa, UTEP and SMU).
Set a NCAA Division I-A single-game record with 406 yards rushing on 43
attempts against UTEP... tied the NCAA record for most yards in a half with
287 yards in the second half of the UTEP game... Tomlinson also set a TCU
record with six rushing touchdowns against the Miners... he set a single-game
school record with the 43 attempts, breaking his record total of 40 that he
co-owned with Mike Luttrell... he also set a TCU record for all-purpose yards
with 426 (406 rushing, two receptions for six yards and one kickoff return
for 14 yards)... the rushing performance was Tomlinson's second 300-yard plus
day of the season... earlier in the season, he rushed for 300 yards on 23
attempts against San Jose State... the 89-yard touchdown run against San Jose
State is the longest running play in TCU history... he also rushed for 269
yards against Arkansas State... owns three of the top-five single-game rushing
performances in school history... rushed for at least 100 yards in seven games
this season, two fewer than Kenneth Davis' record-setting total of nine...
rushed for 124 yards and two touchdowns against East Carolina in the 1999
Mobile Alabama Bowl... also rushed for 170 yards against Arizona, 178 yards
against Tulsa, 133 vs. Rice and 125 against SMU... had a team-leading 39
explosives (running plays of 12 yards or more)... had six touchdown runs of 63
yards or longer (63-UTEP, 70-UTEP, 74-San Jose State, 79-Arkansas State,
80-Tulsa, 89-San Jose State)... also had two kickoff returns for 69 yards,
including a 55-yard return against Hawaii... tied for third in receptions with
12 for 55 yards... shattered the TCU single-season rushing record with 1,850
yards... Kenneth Davis rushed for 1,611 yards in the 1984 season... tied the
school-record with 18 rushing touchdowns... set a TCU record with 268
attempts... surpassed the 1,000-yard mark in the sixth game of the season ...
the earliest point in a season that a TCU player has reached the 1,000-yard
barrier... only the sixth back in school history to reach the 1,000 yard mark...
set a new WAC record with the 1,850 yards, eight yards more than San Diego
State's George Jones' 1,842 yards.
1998 (Sophomore)
A second-team all-WAC selection by the league's head coaches... ended the
regular season with 717 yards rushing on 144 attempts, an average of 5.0
yards per carry... led the team in touchdowns with eight... a two-time WAC
Mountain Division Player of the Week... rushed for 165 yards on 27 attempts
against Tulsa, scoring one touchdown to earn his second player of the week
honor... 165-yard outing at Tulsa was the second-best outing in his career
and the third time he has exceeded 100 yards in a contest... he also rushed
for 113 yards on 20 attempts against Fresno State... Tomlinson earned his
first player of the week honor for his performance against #23 Air Force...
against the Falcons, he rushed for 99 yards on 21 carries, scored two
touchdowns, returned three kickoffs for 102 yards and caught two passes for
five yards for a total of 206 all-purpose yards... caught six passes for 34
yards... returned 17 kickoffs for 383 yards, an average of 22.5 yards per
return... started two games at fullback and two at tailback.
1997 (Freshman)
Rushed for 538 yards on 126 attempts as a true freshman... led the team with
six touchdowns... rushed for a career-high 180 yards on 27 attempts against
Tulsa... longest rush of the season was a 36-yard run against the Golden
Hurricane... had 12 pass receptions for 107 yards, including 32 yards on two
receptions against Tulsa... averaged 19.5 yards on 20 kickoff returns... did
not start a contest all season... backed up tailback Basil Mitchell....
rushed for 45 yards on 11 attempts against #5 North Carolina... only
reached double figures in attempts in six of the 11 games... also scored two
touchdowns against UNLV.
High School
Accounted for an amazing 2,554 yards and 39 touchdowns during his senior
season at Waco University High School... enjoyed seven rushing performances
of over 200 yards or more... the district 25-4A MVP and the Super Centex
Offensive Player of the Year... a second-team all-state selection...
selected TCU over Baylor, Kansas State and UTEP.
Personal
The son of Lorene Chappell of Waco, Texas... born June 23, 1979... majoring
in Radio-TV-Film... brother, LaVar, plays football at Sam Houston State in
Huntsville.
Rush for 240
A major statistical trend under Coach Fran has been TCU's success when
they rush for at least 240 yards in a game. Overall, TCU is 17-1 in
two-plus seasons under Franchione, when rushing for 240 yards or more. TCU
has rushed for at least 240 yards in 7-of-11 games this season, including
a season-high 393 yards against Hawaii. Last season, the Frogs were 4-0
when they surpassed the 240-yard barrier. Franchione-coached teams are
33-4 since 1992, when rushing for at least 240 yards. The game-by-game
totals for 2000:
Opponent Att. Yards Avg. TD
Nevada 55 317 5.8 4
Northwestern 69 387 5.6 3
Arkansas State 44 255 5.8 4
Navy 51 197 3.9 1
Hawaii 71 393 5.5 5
Tulsa 46 223 4.8 1
Rice 51 249 4.9 3
San Jose State 45 138 3.9 2
Fresno State 62 217 3.5 3
UTEP 49 313 6.4 4
SMU 48 307 6.4 3
Opening Drive Scores
TCU has scored points on their first possession in 18 of the last 27
games, including six times this year. TCU has scored touchdowns against
Nevada, Hawaii and Rice, and kicked field goals against Northwestern, Navy
and SMU. Last year, the Frogs scored points on the first drive in 8-of-12
games.
Scoring Points, Recording Shutouts
The Frogs have scored points in 65 of 137 possessions this season... the
Frogs scored a school-record 410 points on a school-record 52 touchdowns
this season, breaking the previous record of 48 touchdowns and 376 points,
which was set in the 1984 season.... TCU scored 62 points against SMU, six
shy of the school-record of 68 points in a game... the Frogs have scored
in 103 consecutive games... the last time the Frogs were shutout was a
32-0 blanking by Texas on Nov. 15, 1991... TCU has held their opponent to
three points or less in seven of the last 18 regular-season games,
including shutouts of San Jose St. (42-0), SMU (21-0) , Navy (24-0) and
Rice (37-0)... this season, TCU held opponents to seven points or less in
six of the 11 games... overall, the Frogs allowed only 106 points, an
average of 9.6 per contest... the average is the lowest since 1960, when
TCU allowed 94 points in 10 games, an average of 9.4 points per game.
Winning Streak Ends at San Jose
TCU's 27-24 loss at San Jose State ended the Frogs' 12-game winning
streak. The 12-game winning streak will go down in the record books as the
second longest in school history, The 1937-38 teams produced a
school-record 14 straight victories. The 1937 Frogs ended the season with
three straight wins, then the 1938 team ran off 11 consecutive wins on
their way to the national title.
Big Play Offense
The Frogs have an offensive category titled "Explosives", which are
rushing plays of 12 yards or more and pass plays of 16 yards or more.
TCU's goal is to get at least eight per game. The breakdown for the 2000
season:
Opponent Run Pass Total
Nevada 7 2 9
Northwestern 9 2 11
Arkansas State 6 4 10
Navy 1 4 5
Hawaii 7 2 9
Tulsa 6 2 8
Rice 5 3 8
San Jose State 2 6 8
Fresno State 6 1 7
UTEP 5 5 10
SMU 4 7 11
Individual Rushing: Tomlinson (36), Printers (14), Layne (5) Stilley (1),
Madison (1), Hayes-Stoker (1).
Individual Receiving: Maiden (9), James (8), Brown (5), Dunbar (4), M.
Schobel (2), Layne (4), Ellis (2), Roberts (3), Purcell (1), Moss (1),
Williams (1).
Explosives by year Run Pass Total
2000 58 40 98
1999 60 31 91
1998 38 16 54
Now Wearing #1, Casey Printers
In 21 career starts, Casey Printers has a 18-3 record as the starting
quarterback. He ranks first in the WAC and fourth in the NCAA in passing
efficiency with a rating of 156.7. This season, Printers has completed
56.7% (102-176-6) of his passes for a career-high 1584 yards. The passing
yards total ranks ninth in TCU history, and the 24 passing touchdowns is
tied for fourth. He completed a single-game school record 82.3% (14-of-17)
of his passes for 188 yards and two touchdowns against Navy.
In the last two games of the regular-season, Printers completed
23-of-37 passes for 467 yards and six touchdowns. After completing
13-of-19 passes for 251 yards and four touchdowns against SMU, Printers
was named the WAC Player of the Week.
Last season, he led the Frogs to a 8-2 record, earning third-team
Freshman All-America honors. Printers, the MVP of the Mobile Alabama Bowl,
helped lead the Frogs to a five-game winning streak to end the 1999
season.
In his career, Printers has completed 57.6% of his passes. He ranks
10th in career passing yards (2,797) and fifth in career TD passes (24).
Printers Career Numbers
Passing Rushing
Yr. C-A-I Yds TD Att. Yds TD
'00 102-176-6 1584 16 84 265 4
'99 86-150-7 1213 8 32 -69 1
Tot. 188-326-13 2797 24 116 196 5
Solid Passing Game
The 2000 Frogs ended the season ranked first in the WAC and fifth in the
NCAA in passing efficiency. The Frogs completed 106-184-8 (57.6%) passes
for 1600 yards. TCU has a efficiency rating of 150.65. Against Navy, the
Frogs completed 15-of-18 passes for 192 yards. In the regular-season
finale, TCU threw for a season-high 251 yards on 13-of-19 passing against
SMU. Five of the top-seven passing games under Dennis Franchione occured
in the 2000 season.
More than LT
As opponents have geared up to stop LaDainian Tomlinson, the Frogs have
shown they do have other weapons. The following is a game-by-game look at
TCU's over-looked weapons.
Oppt. Player Stats
Nev. Layne 4 rush, 33 yards, 1 TD
NU Printers 8-12 pass, 74 yards rushing
Ark. St. Dunbar 4 recepts., 91 yards, 2 TD
Navy Printers 14-of-17, 188 yards passing
Layne 7 rush, 78 yards rushing
Hawaii Layne 2 recepts, 55 yards receiving
Tulsa Printers 14 att, 87 yards rushing
Rice Layne 4 att, 35 yards rushing, 1 TD
San Jose Printers 12-23 pass, 194 yards, TD
Fresno Printers 2 rush touchdowns
UTEP Printers 216 yards passing, 2 TD
SMU Printers 251 yards passing, 4 TD, 1 rush TD
Receiving Leaders
Tailback LaDainian Tomlinson entered the 2000 season as the active leader
in career receptions. The following list is a breakdown of TCU's
receptions leaders.
Player, Class Receptions
LaDainian Tomlinson, Senior 40
Cedric James, Senior 40
LaTarence Dunbar, Sophomore 37
Tim Maiden, Senior 33
Kevin Brown, Sophomore 19
B.J. Roberts, Junior 13
George Layne, Junior 12
Matt Schobel, Junior 8
Terran Williams, Sophomore 7
Quint Ellis, Sophomore 3
Andrew Hayes-Stoker, Junior 2
Chad Purcell, Senior 2
Stanley Moss, Freshman 1
Double-Digit Starters
Nineteen Frogs have double-digit starting assignments to their credit,
including Aaron Schobel who has started 45 straight games in his TCU
career.
Player, Class, Position Starts
Aaron Schobel, Senior, DE 45
Mike Keathley, Senior, OL 38
Shawn Worthen, Senior, DT 34
Greg Walls, Senior, CB 34
Curtis Fuller, Senior, FS 34
Shannon Brazzell, Senior, LB 33
Jeff Millican, Senior, OL 33
Russell Gary, Senior, SS 32
Jeff Garner, Senior, C 30
David Bobo, Senior, OT 28
LaDainian Tomlinson, Senior, TB 27
B.J. Roberts, Junior, TE 23
Victor Payne, Junior, OL 23
Chad Bayer, Junior, LB 23
Casey Printers, Sophomore, QB 21
Tim Maiden, Senior, WR 20
Jason Goss, Sophomore, CB 17
Shane Ladewig, Senior, OL 12
George Layne, Junior, FB 12
O-Line Knockdown Blocks
The Frogs recorded 90 knockdown blocks against SMU, including 25 by Jeff
Millican. The game-by-game totals for 2000 with the team totals in
parentheses.
Oppt. (total) Bobo Millican Garner Payne Keathley
Nev. (88) 17 16 8 10 12
NU (139) 30 33 25 36 13
ASU (83) 12 16 12 11 14
Navy (109) 25 25 15 20 14
Hawaii (88) 16 22 10 15 15
Tulsa (64) 17 15 9 11 12
Rice (96) 20 27 10 24 15
SJSU (66) 16 15 11 11 13
Fresno (80) 19 15 18 11 11
UTEP (82) 20 17 15 15 15
SMU (90) 15 25 10 16 10
Totals (975) 207 226 143 170 144
Experienced O-Line
Entering the Mobile Alabama Bowl, the TCU offensive line has combined for
164 career starts. The current starting five have started the last 23
games. Mike Keathley leads the way with 38 starts in his career. Guard
Jeff Millican has started 33 games, center Jeff Garner has posted 30
starts and tackles David Bobo has 28 starts to his credit. Junior Victor
Payne has started 23 games and senior backup Shane Ladewig has started 12
times.
The Nation's Top-Ranked Defense
TCU held SMU to seven points and 146 yards, the 11th consecutive
opponent the Frogs have held below their season average in total yards of
offense.
SMU was averaging 341.3 and 15.8 points. Earlier this month, TCU
held UTEP to 14 points and 287 yards. The Miners were averaging 34.1
points and 419.5 yards. TCU, the nation's top ranked defense, is allowing
an average of 9.6 points and 245.0 yards per game. Both totals lead the
nation. Each of TCU's 11 opponents this season averaged more yards per
game than they compiled against TCU. The Frogs held Fresno State to 140
yards below their season average. TCU held San Jose State to 73 yards
below their season average, plus tailback Deonce Whitaker rushed for 100
yards, 78 below his season average.
This season, the Frogs have allowed 928 yards rushing on 395
attempts, an average of 2.3 yards per rush. TCU is ranked 7th in the
nation in rushing defense, allowing 84.4 yards per game. Since the arrival
of defensive coordinator Gary Patterson, a TCU opponent has been held to
100 rushing yards or fewer in 18 of 35 games.
The TCU pass defense has also fared well this season, allowing only
160.6 yards per game. Opponent's have completed only 44.3% of their
passing attempts. The Frogs are ranked fourth nation in passing yards
allowed and third in pass defense efficiency.
Last season, TCU allowed only 139 yards rushing in the final five
games of the year. In the Mobile Alabama Bowl, TCU held East Carolina to
minus-16 yards rushing on 26 attempts. Overall, the Frogs finished the
season fifth in the nation in total defense, allowing a meager 284.5 yards
per game. Here is a closer look at how the TCU defense has fared under
Patterson.
Rushing Yds Passing Yds TDs Total Yds NCAA Total
Year Avg./GM Avg./Gm Allowed Avg./GM Def. Rank
1998 163.1 182.7 25 345.7 40th
1999 100.9 183.5 24 284.5 5th
2000 84.4 160.6 13 245.0 1st
Sack Attack
The 2000 Horned Frogs recorded a school-record 43 sacks, breaking
the previous record of 37, which was set last season. Included in the
total of 43 was a single-game school-record 15 sacks at Nevada. The Frogs
recorded 12 in the first half, erasing the previous school-record of nine
in just two quarters. Sixteen different Frogs have posted at least one
sack. Aaron Schobel, TCU's all-time leader in sacks, has a team-leading
6.5 sacks. Linebacker Shannon Brazzell is second with 5.0 sacks, backup
end Joe Hill is third with 4.5 sacks, and Bo Schobel is fourth with four
sacks.
Behind the line of Scrimmage
The Frogs have recorded 124 tackles behind the line of scrimmage,
resulting in losses of 421 yards. Including the school-record 15 sacks,
TCU posted 20 tackles behind the line against Nevada. TCU recorded 17
tackles behind the line of scrimmage against Arkansas State, including
four sacks. Shannon Brazzell leads the team with 15 tackles behind the
line, followed by Chad Bayer (14), Aaron Schobel (14) and Shawn Worthen
(13). Last season, TCU recorded 117 tackles behind the line of scrimmage
for losses of 452 yards. Schobel led the team with 19 stops in the
backfield, Brazzell had 15 and Bayer had 14 tackles behind the line. The
following is a list of TCU's current leaders in career tackles behind the
line.
Career Tackles Behind the Line
Player, Class Total
Aaron Schobel, Senior 64.5
Shannon Brazzell, Senior 35.5
Shawn Worthen, Senior 31.5
Chad Bayer, Junior 26
Russell Gary, Senior 13
Run-Stopper
Shannon Brazzell is TCU's active leader in career tackles with 283, 22
ahead of teammate Aaron Schobel.
Player, Class Career Tackles
Shannon Brazzell, Senior 283
Aaron Schobel, Senior 261
Curtis Fuller, Senior 256
Chad Bayer, Junior 192
Russell Gary, Senior 158
Kaylakie Continues to Climb in Record Books
Senior kicker Chris Kaylakie, a candidate for posteason honors,
has successfully converted 16-of-18 field goals and 50-of-51 PAT attempts.
Kaylakie ended his TCU career with 41 field goals in 56 attempts,
placing him second all-time behind former All-American Michael Reeder,
who kicked a school-record 57 field goals in his career.
Kaylakie, a 1998 All-WAC choice, has converted 114-117 (97.4%) PAT
attempts, including a school-record 50 PATs this year. He is TCU's
all-time leader in career PAT conversions, 14 ahead of former
record-holder Ken Ozee's 100 PATs. Kaylakie had converted 52 straight
PATs (a streak that ranked second in TCU history), but after a TCU
penalty, he missed a PAT from a distance of 38 yards. With 42 PATs this
season, he is second in single-season PATs.
Kaylakie scored a school-record 98 points this season, breaking
Reeder's school-record total of 89. Kaylakie is second in career points
scored with 237. Reeder is the record holder with 259 points. Kaylakie
ended the regular-season with 14 points against SMU, the second most
points scored by a kicker in a TCU contest.
Kaylakie's Statistics
Year FG-Att. Pct. PAT-Att. Points
1998 15-20 75.0 24-25 69
1999 10-18 55.6 40-41 70
2000 16-18 88.9 50-51 98
Totals 41-56 73.2 114-117 237
Special Teams
For the second straight season, the TCU Horned Frogs have been the
benchmark for kickoff returns. TCU's 28.8 average led the nation in
kickoff returns. Overall, the Frogs are ranked first in the WAC in kickoff
returns and net punting, and third in punt returns. In the NCAA, TCU is
ranked 1st in kickoff returns, 17th in net punting and 44th in punt
returns.
LaTarence Dunbar leads the nation in kickoff returns with an average
of 33.7 yards. In his lone return against SMU, Dunbar returned a kick 100
(+) yards for a touchdown.
Chris Kaylakie ranks third in the WAC and 18th in the NCAA in
scoring (8.9), and 9th in field goals. LaVar Veale is third in the WAC in
punt returns (9.3 average).
The Frogs have returned 21 kicks this season for 605 yards, an
average of 28.8 yards per return. TCU has returned 37 punts for 281 yards,
a 10.3 average. In the Nevada contest, Veale returned eight punts for
143 yards, scoring one touchdown on an 85-yard return. The punt return for
a touchdown was the first by a TCU player since John Washington returned a
punt 65 yards against Texas in 1995.
Dunbar also returned a kickoff 95 yards for a score against Nevada.
Last season, the Frogs led the NCAA in kickoff returns with a 27.5
average. Reggie Hunt established a TCU single-season record with a 34.1
average. His average did not meet NCAA minimum requirements, or he would
have led the nation in kickoff returns.
Against the WAC
In five seasons in the Western Athletic Conference, the Frogs compiled a
win-loss mark of 20-19 against WAC competition. However, TCU has won 13 of
the last 15 conference games. Nevada, the newest member of the WAC, was
the 15th different conference opponent for the Frogs since joining the
league in 1996.
Leadership Council/Captains
When Coach Fran arrived at TCU, he formed a group called the TCU
Leadership Council. The 12-member unit is represented by a player from
each position. Four game captains are chosen each week. The 2000
Leadership Council consists of offensive tackle David Bobo, linebacker
Shannon Brazzell, safety Curtis Fuller, wide receiver Cedric James, kicker
Chris Kaylakie, offensive tackle Mike Keathley, defensive end Chad
McCarty, offensive guard Jeff Millican, quarterback Casey Printers, tight
end B.J. Roberts, defensive end Aaron Schobel, safety Cody Slinkard,
tailback LaDainian Tomlinson and cornerback Greg Walls.
Big Wins
The three-point loss to San Jose State was TCU's first-game decided by
less than 14 points since last year's seven-point loss at Fresno State
(26-19) - a span of 16 games... since the loss to San Jose State, TCU has
defeated Fresno State by 17 (24-7), UTEP by 33 (47-14) and SMU by 55
points (62-7)... therefore, in the last 19 games, only one has been
decided by less than 14 points.
Frogs on Television
Ten of TCU's 11 games were televised this season. ESPN2 televised the San
Jose State game, while ESPN Regional televised the Nevada (Sept. 9), Tulsa
(Oct. 21) and Rice games (Oct. 28). Fox Sports Net will nationally
televise the Northwestern (Sept. 16), Navy (Sept. 30), Fresno State (Nov.
11) and SMU (Nov. 24) contests. Fox Sports Southwest televised the Hawai`i
(Oct. 7) and UTEP (Nov. 18) games on a regional basis. In the previous
two seasons, TCU has appeared on television 10 times, including five
national broadcasts.
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