Patterson warns of Tulane attack
By Danny Gillham
Sports Editor

In his weekly press conference, head coach Gary Patterson spoke mainly about preparing for the fast-paced attack of Tulane, the team’s opponent on Saturday.

The Frogs played a powerful and methodical team in Southern Miss last week, but they now turn their attention to the swift, high-octane offense of the Green Wave.
Last season, the no-huddle attack burned the Frog defense for 355 passing yards in a 48-22 loss in New Orleans.

Patterson said he took blame for some of the team’s blown coverages last year, and that Tulane’s quick style overwhelmed the team last year.

“They’re a no-huddle concept, and they take it to a warp drive,” Patterson said. “They really bothered us last year with it, and we have to prepare this season. We’ve been against no huddles, but we were not ready for the speed of which they did it a year ago.”

In the 4-2-5 defensive scheme that the Frogs run, coverages are not called into the defense on the field until moments before the snap. Patterson said the team simply must be more prepared for Tulane’s style.

“I think mentally you have to understand you have to get the call in,” Patterson said. “You can’t be as perfect with the call, and your kids have to do more adjusting.”

Patterson said the team will need to run the football and keep Tulane’s offense off the field, but just moving the football will not get the job done.

There are different aspects of this game that could make interesting subplots. First the team was embarrassed at Tulane last year, and are playing this year’s game at Amon Carter Stadium. The team is also in the driver’s seat of the conference, and a win would put it one step closer the Conference USA championship.

Patterson said he won’t emphasize these issues, and that he just wants a win on Saturday.

“(The players) understand what’s ahead of them, (and) they understand what is at stake,” Patterson said. “But again, it’s the next game. I don’t think there is any more pressure on this ballgame, and I’m not going to lean towards building any.”

Seniors stepping up
Patterson said his team has handled all types of adversity in the last few weeks, and has understood what it needs to get done. He mentioned senior safety Jared Smitherman, whose interception against Southern Miss turned momentum for the Frogs for the remainder of the game, and the continued play of senior offensive lineman J.T. Aughinbaugh. Patterson also noted seniors like cornerback Jason Goss, safety Kenneth Hilliard and punter Joey Biasatti as players who are showing their experience and leadership.

Inexperience at backup QB
Patterson said sophomore Brandon Hassell has been preparing all season for a chance to play even though it was at third-string. He said now instead of being two plays away from playing, Hassell is just one play away. While Patterson said he would be nervous putting Hassell in because of his inexperience, he said TCU quarterbacks have never been asked to win a football game. He said getting the ball to the Frogs’ skilled players would be the main priority. Patterson also said true freshman Jeff Ballard is now the third-string quarterback. Ballard has been on the practice squad all season.

Receivers getting healthy
Senior receiver LaTarence Dunbar and Adrian Madise have been fighting nagging injuries throughout the season, but days off here and there have helped in aiding in their recovery. Patterson said Dunbar is fine and that Madise was looking OK, and both will be ready to go against Tulane. Patterson also talked briefly about junior Reggie Harrell. At 6-foot-3, Harrell gives the Frogs a big target, and is finally making an impact in the offensive after various injuries have kept him sidelined.

d.r.gillham@tcu.edu