Photo Courtesy: Dominic Ceraldi
The anticipated Thursday night meeting between the #5 TCU Horned Frogs and West Virginia Mountaineers lacked the drama that is usually on display when these two meet. Although a small sample size, the previous three games have produced plenty of excitement and “edge of your seat” endings. In front of a national audience on ESPN, this game didn’t have anyone edgy. It was well in control for TCU early in the second half. No last minute drives to secure a victory was needed.
After the twelve day hiatus due to their bye week, the Frogs looked refreshed. Quarterback Trevone Boykin kept himself in Heisman contention with his performance. He had a full cast of healthy weaponry and it was a thing of beauty. Passing for 388 yards and three touchdowns, also rushing for a score in the first quarter, he looked sharp. Receiver Josh Doctson was up to his usual exploits, ripping the Mountaineer secondary to shreds for 183 yards receiving.
The Horned Frog defense turned in their best performance of the year, holding a very good Mountaineer offense to just ten points. They made the homecoming of quarterback and Fort Worth native Skylar Howard not so welcoming. He was limited to ‘check down’ throws as the secondary of the Frogs came up big finally for a change.
The final score read 40-10, not the outcome to keep an audience across the nation tuned in to see. Hopefully it did help those who are only subjected to seeing highlights from a loaded college football Saturday of the Frogs. Just maybe they saw a team that they feel is worthy of being one of the four chosen to do battle at the end of the season for the national championship.
THREE POSTGAME TIDBITS
- I happened to be seated near a dozen or so NFL scouts in the press box, well within earshot. Sounds like Trevone Boykin is rising in the minds of the NFL. His third quarter scramble to twice avoid a Mountaineer defender who thought they had a clean shot on him had all the scouts amazed.
- The turnout for a Thursday game in Fort Worth was great. Those in attendance at Amon G. Carter Stadium were loud and raucus in the first half. A little less after it was obvious that a rout was taking place.
- The defense has improved, especially in the secondary. That improvement comes just in time as the showdown with Baylor looms.
