2003 Statistics

Quarterback
Well, what this unit embodies is a true reflection of the entire offense's approach. Senior Brandon Hassell is the guts and glory of any ball advancement - he runs it about half as much as he passes, same as his 1a, junior Tye Gunn (also is a great leader). Hassell is the deemed starter, as he filled in expertly when '03 season starter Gunn went down, so expertly they often kept him in when Gunn was again healthy. They shared time in two games, both victories, so that can work. But regardless of the QB situation, the Horned Frogs are in great shape here, even with one of the many backups.

Running Back
The ground attack will thrive with two proven tailbacks returning. Much will be expected from these two quick, durable backs, Robert Merrill and Lonta Hobbs. They led the nation's 18th-rated rushing offense with authority. Close to 25% of the runs were by the QBs, so the RB-unit's average per run was well over the team's average. Hobbs is the Horned Frogs chosen leaper near the endzone (nine TDs), as well as a short-yardage boon (team 47% third-down conversion rate). Sophomore Merrill is a bit quicker to the hole, proven by his 5.5 per carry average, and is the featured back, so to speak. Depth is scarce here, but talent exists as recruiting classes have stacked hungry and eager backs in the TCU ranks. The lack of FB utilization is a marginal call for this multi-dimensional scheme. But this accompanying position has some takers, so expect much from two-back sets.

Wide Receiver
Senior Reggie Harrell leads a receiving corps that will have well-placed role-players for optimum results. Harrell is a former state and junior Pan-AM games 110-meter hurdles champion, and has proven he can not just stretch the field, but can pull constant double-teams. Sophomore Cory Rodgers is a go-to hands-type, with his five receiving TDs (team's most in '03) as proof. Harmon and DePriest are slot and three-receiver set guys with speed and more speed. With the returning nature of all the talent positions, the coaches should make something of their chemistry and look more to the RBs as receivers. Only a handful of passes went their way in '03. Regardless, we feel the unit will show much-improved results.

Tight End
Senior Cody McCarty is a proven seem-splitter who makes safeties and LBs commit and stay home on his routes (15.9 yards per catch). Chad Andrus assures the Horned Frogs they have two who can do this, and they often use creative formations so both are in and this can make defensive coordinators crazy.

Offensive Line
The line returns four starters from the group that led the nation's 26th-rated (total) offense. The entire right side stays intact, and, as well, (NC.net Honorable Mention) Anthony Alabi at left tackle is the same, making the promise of offensive continuity one this line can assure is kept. Much is required of big men in TCU's scheme, and these guys weigh in as big as the state they represent, while moving like Horned Frogs in a hot July sun. They go two-deep with upper-classmen and size, so don't expect injuries to water-down the unit's level of play.

OFFENSIVE BREAKDOWN
Many of the expectations for team success will be placed on this side of the pigskin, especially with so few new players needed (eight of eleven starters return). This was one of six programs in 2003 to average both 200 yards per game each running and passing, for a balance that few stopped. Expect more of the same, with roll-out, play-actions, and disguised sequences foes will again be limited to stop. But one weakness was the offense's predictability in the red-zone. Only 12 passing TDs means they relied too much on the ground. Carry the lesson over and this can make stopping the Horned Frogs in these do-or-die scenarios as easy as stacking the box with run-blitzes, as Southern Miss and Boise State did (both TCU losses). Passing the ball just 10% more often than in '03 would make defenses that much more honest and therefore more pliable for future scoring marches. TCU's offense will be awesome, but just how awesome will go a long way toward determining the team's final destiny.

Defensive Line
This is an area of major concern. Three all-time TCU greats are gone, and with them 51 of the team's 135 tackles for loss in 2003. Brandon Johnson, the lone returning starter, will miss spring ball with a knee injury from last campaign. There are three who have significant playing time on the line, but with Johnson being the unit's strongest link, we expect a large drop off in this unit's production. And seeing how the line was the defense's one lone shining dimension they built all around in 2003, you can tell then why this will be true. But the talent exists, so the amount the line slips will, too, go a long way toward the team's final destiny. Expect little, but don't be surprised when more comes with such great defensive minds behind them calling the shots.

Linebacker
This area boasts Martin Patterson, the senior who will be the one lone returning starter here as well as the "Mike" and glue for the entire defense. Logo Tevaseu is a smallish all-around athlete who has an innate nose for the ball, but will struggle against any larger offensive lines that, too, can move well. Logo and U of Colorado-transfer Andy Ward will be the "SAMs" for this 4-2-5 alignment. Due to the weak line, all LBs will primarily be run-support in the beginning, so opposing offensive coordinators should be able to exploit this fact with underneath passing after play-action fakes pull them in. It will be a tough campaign for the LBs of TCU, so again expect to see these guys everywhere on the field, but with limited success for how thin they will be spread.

Defensive Back
Some might say this secondary is a somewhat battered and torn from last year's 98th pass-defense ranking. But the talent here (which held off foes who were forced into passing attacks by the stellar line) is again strong and will keep play in front of themselves. Senior Mark Walker will again lock-down his receiver, and Chris Peoples has the size such that a team with two large snarlers won't have any advantage. Quality safeties abound at TCU, with Marvin Godbolt leading their way. Jeremy Modkins was the team's second leading tackler in '03, and, along with newbie (former-QB) Brian Bonner, will form a threesome with Godbolt that will make opponents throw less. All five back here are also strong in run-support.

DEFENSIVE BREAKDOWN
The roles reverse this time for the defensive units. The line will need all the help it can get, and the LBs will have their hands full enough such that we should see some rather regular seven-man alignments up front. That means a safety would be committed, and this will help, if done properly, to protect against foes' underneath routes. If TCU winds up with eight in the box due to run-stopping issues, expect the defense to be a detriment and cost the Horned Frogs many of the close ones. The secondary has the talent to be whatever the other dimensions lack, so expect that bend-but-don't-break approach.