By Adam Vilfordi Skiff staff Three years ago, no one had ever heard of tailback LaDainian Tomlinson. Now he is mentioned in the same breath with Purdue quarterback Drew Brees, Virginia Tech quarterback Michael Vick and Texas Tech tailback Ricky Williams. The 5-11, 217-pound tailback from Waco has become a Heisman Trophy candidate after his record-breaking season last year. Since his days at Waco University High School, Tomlinson said he has worked hard to live up to his potential. When he began school at TCU, Tomlinson said he had to learn and adjust to many different things on the football field. "Playing as a true freshman, I had to get used to the speed of the game, reading defenses, picking the right holes to run through and learning to be patient as a running back," Tomlinson said. "College football taught me to be more patient as a runner and to react to the defenses faster." Tomlinson said he feels he could be just as deserving of the Heisman Trophy at the end of this season as those who will have gained national attention at larger universities. "I have worked hard all my life, and I'm sure that people like Drew Brees and Michael Vick worked hard also," Tomlinson said. "But I feel that I am deserving of the things that I am being mentioned for, and I feel fortunate to be mentioned in the same sentence with some of college football's best players." Tomlinson said although he is excited about being a candidate for college football's most prestigious award, he realizes that none of his accomplishments would have been made possible if his teammates didn't work hard. "My teammates have handled the whole (Heisman) situation with class," Tomlinson said. "They have encouraged me and been supportive as the spotlight has shined on me, and I know that without them, there would be no mention of the Heisman." As for Tomlinson's offensive line, he said it does not receive any credit for the accolades that he receives. "I don't think people understand how much the (offensive line) means to me," he said. "They don't get any of the credit for the things that we do as a unit. They work hard every day. I think that they work harder than anybody on the whole team. I respect them, and I am close to them, and I think that is why we work together to get better." Another important part of Tomlinson's "Heisman run" is his relationship with head coach Dennis Franchione. Tomlinson said Franchione has been the main reason for the team's success. Tomlinson said Franchione has redirected the team's focus, changed the team's outlook and adjusted the team's attitude. "Winning breeds success, and that is what Fran has done," Tomlinson said. "Going from 1-(10) in 1997, to 7-5 with a bowl win in 1998 and then going to 8-4 with a victory in Mobile, Coach has taught us to not accept losing. He showed us how to win and taught us to live with winning." Tomlinson said he has been trying to get faster and doing drills to increase his agility and quickness during this off-season. "I know that I cannot be the same football player from last year," he said. "I have to get bigger, stronger and faster because people are going to be aiming for me." As for the naysayers who discredit Tomlinson's run toward the Heisman Trophy because he plays in the Western Athletic Conference, he said that all the teams in the WAC are always competitive, and they can play with teams in any conference. "There are a lot of good players who come out of high school, and every team has good players," Tomlinson said. "What separates the teams is coaching." Tomlinson said he believes in his team, his coaches and his chances for the Heisman. "I am not going to let my team down," he said. "I know that they won't let me down, and I like my chances."
Adam Vilfordi
By Chris Harrison staff reporter The TCU men's golf team placed eighth in the 15-team field tournament at the Schenkel E-Z-GO Invitational last weekend in Statesboro, Ga. The defending national champion Georgia Bulldogs had three players finish in the top five, sweeping the overall tournament at Forest Heights Country Club by 17 strokes over Clemson University. Georgia junior Bubba Watson claimed medalist honors, scrambling his way to a final round of a two-under 70 and a three-day total of 13-under 203. "I knew I still had to attack," said Watson, who at one point was 16-under par on the front nine and appeared dangerously close to threatening the Schenkel individual scoring title of 21-under. "I changed my attitude on the back nine. I missed some greens and fairways and started to coast, but I knew I had to bang on." TCU's highest finisher was junior Aaron Hickman who finished 23rd. Hickman posted a final round score of 73 to give him a total of 216, even par. "I felt like I hit the ball pretty good, but it just seemed like some of my putts wouldn't fall," Hickman said. "The course was great, and the playing conditions were perfect. I just need some more putts to drop, and I'll be in pretty good shape for the next upcoming tournament in Mexico." Head coach Bill Montigel said he thought Hickman played a pretty good tournament last weekend. "Aaron has been doing a real good job, and I am really pleased with his play this year," Montigel said. "He has been our most improved player. "He is going to keep getting better, and he has a lot of confidence in his game right now. Hickman has improved every tournament so far, and I am looking for him to keep this pace up throughout the rest of the season." Sophomores Bret Guetz and Andy Doeden shot an identical 72-71-76 score of 219, placing them in a tie for 32nd. Freshman Jamie Kellam recorded his best individual score of the season, placing 48th with a total of 222. "He did a really good job in this last tournament," Montigel said. "He came back and shot a 72 the second round and a 73 in the final round. Overall, pretty good play from a freshman." Junior Sal Spallone placed 50th, with a total of 223. Montigel said there are two things this golf team needs to do to get better. "I think we have to improve our short game," Montigel said. "We really need to work on our putting and all of our shots from 100-yards and in. "We are also going to have to work on getting mentally tough. I am thinking if we work hard on those two things, we are going to be fine." The Horned Frogs' next tournament will be an international one. The men's team leaves for Los Cabos, Mexico, to take part in the U.S. Collegiate on April 7 through April 9.
Chris Harrison |
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