Frogs' defense keeps it close but offense can't exploit key chance

08/26/2001

By DAN NOXON / The Dallas Morning News

LINCOLN, Neb. – TCU viewed Saturday's Pigskin Classic against Nebraska as a means to remain in the national consciousness in the post-LaDainian Tomlinson/Dennis Franchione era. To that end, the Horned Frogs were a success, particularly on defense.

Most telling was the manner in which TCU players reacted to the concept of a moral victory, even against the best team many of them are likely to ever face.

Perhaps good feelings about this game will have to grow. This, after all, was an opponent that has lost only three home games the past 13 years. Nebraska has become accustomed to beating up on nonconference opponents and especially in openers – they've now won 16 straight of those.

AP TCU's Charlie Owens, left, and Bo Schobel drag down Nebraska's Thunder Collins

The game's early stages made it appear four touchdowns wouldn't be enough. Nebraska used big plays against the young Frogs defense to set up two scores on its first three possessions.

Suddenly, however, TCU became the aggressor and much more resembled the defense that last year led Division I-A in fewest yards and points allowed.

Nebraska's next six possessions – until late in the third quarter – netted a grand total of 13 yards. Despite the fact the Huskers had excellent field position for most of that stretch, they did nothing with it.

"They are a very physical football team," said Huskers coach Frank Solich. "We had too many plays that went for minus yardage."

TCU defenders produced 11 tackles for losses. Five came from redshirt freshman strong safety Marvin Goldbolt, who three times caught Nebraska quarterback Eric Crouch from behind on the option for losses.

Godbolt's performance didn't seem to faze first-year head coach Gary Patterson, who was elevated from defensive coordinator after Franchione departed for Alabama. But neither did his defense's performance overall.

"A lot of people don't give our kids much respect," Patterson said. "Well, they have a lot of pride, and they believe they can play good defense."

While much of the nation might not have known that, Nebraska's defensive ability is hardly a secret. And the Huskers lived up to their reputation by holding TCU to six first downs and 186 total yards. A good chunk of that total – 67, to be exact – came on a wacky first-quarter play.

Junior quarterback Casey Printers eluded one sack as the play began and rolled right. With half the Nebraska defense chasing, Printers then circled back toward the left side of the field. What usually is a difficult throw for a right-hander, Printers made look easy.

Tight end Matt Schobel, who started out the play with a blocking assignment, managed to slip behind the defense, and Printers threw a 40-yard strike that turned into the 67-yard touchdown.

Printers, however, slightly strained a quadriceps muscle on the play. That limited him on running the option, and that – combined with the Huskers' performance – limited the TCU offense overall.

"Their defense is good. ... They run around real well, they tackle well, and they have very good cornerbacks," Printers said. "But we didn't execute when we needed to."

When they needed to most was midway through the third quarter, when a turnover gave the Frogs the ball at the Nebraska 35-yard line in a six-point game. TCU didn't take advantage, and Crouch responded by leading his team on a 98-yard march that provided the final margin.

"When he had to make plays and make a difference, that's what he did," Patterson said of Crouch, who accounted for 60 yards (57 rushing) on the 10-play drive. "That's what championship-caliber teams do."

TCU might not be quite to that point. But the Frogs showed Saturday they're a lot closer than some might have thought.

Game notes