By Matt Welnack staff reporter George Layne doesn't get the glory. He doesn't get the statistics. Most of the time, he doesn't even get to touch the ball. But, the sophomore from Alvin, Texas, doesn't mind. As long as the team wins, he will be happy. "It doesn't bother me at all," Layne said. "I like to see (LaDainian Tomlinson) run past me. I'll take 30 blocks and four touchdowns rather than 30 runs and no touchdowns. I'll just do what (coach Dennis Franchione) says." It is this unselfish attitude that has made Layne an important part in the Frogs running game. TCU is averaging 168.5 yards per game this season and Tomlinson is carrying the load with 132 yards per game. The Frogs rely on the running game to win games. If the running game is successful, so are the Frogs. And if Layne is successful, so is the running game. It is Layne and the offensive line that are doing all of the dirty work up front to create the running room for Tomlinson and senior quarterback Patrick Batteaux to run through. "The fullback position is a pretty pivotal part of our offense, a lot of our plays depend on his success," Franchione said. "It's kind of an under-appreciated part of the offense by fans sometimes, but not by the coaches and not by his teammates." Layne does not often get the chance to run with the ball. He has eight carries in two games compared to 46 by Tomlinson. Layne had only seven rush attempts last season. "George has all of the characteristics that you look for in a fullback," offensive coordinator Dan Dodd said. "He's a real hard-nosed kid, and he plays the game real hard. He is working harder at becoming a student at the game." Layne said it is nice to get the chance to start because it was always a goal of his, but Layne knows he needs to improve if he wants tohelp the team succeed. When Layne rushed for 33 yards and caught a 34-yard pass against Northwestern, Dodd said it made it hard for the coaches to not include Layne in the game plan. "It's a good part of our offense, and we felt real comfortable with him carrying the ball," Dodd said. "It's just sort of the way the game unfolded. We always have plays where the fullback is going to get ball, but we had some success with it and we kept riding with it. "When he runs the ball the way he did (against Northwestern), it is kind of hard not to get him the ball." Layne said he does not mind running the ball, but he said his satisfaction comes from seeing his running mates sprint past him while he puts defenders on the ground with his crushing blocks. This is what football is all about to Layne. It is the opportunity to hit people all the time without consequence. "It's not very often where you can go out and throw your body into people full speed. You can't do that anywhere else," Layne said. "I love hitting." It is this love for hitting and his unselfish behavior on the field that makes Layne such an important part of the Frogs running game.
Matt Welnack
By Chris Harrison staff reporter The men's golf team has a new hired gun for the 1999-2000 season. His name is Bret Guetz. This Oklahoma State transfer from Littleton, Colo., came to TCU this year ready to play golf. NCAA rules allow golf transfers to play after transferring without having to sit out for a year. He also came ready to win, posting a round of 66 on the final day of the Fort Worth Men's City Championship two weeks ago for a come-from-behind victory. "I just felt really good that day," Guetz said. "Everything was working right, and it all just came together."
"I started playing golf when I was about six or seven, but I really didn't start concentrating on my game until I was about thirteen," Guetz said. "I also played shortstop on the baseball team, but decided to stick with golf." After high school, Guetz decided to leave Littleton to attend Oklahoma State University. He said TCU had more to offer than the Cowboys' golf program. "(Oklahoma State) is a championship team but they didn't have the exposure or coach that TCU has," Guetz said. "I came here because I really liked the team, players and Coach (Bill) Montigel. I couldn't ask for a better coach. He is more laid back than my old coach and I really like playing for him." Montigel said he is happy with Guetz's decision to come to TCU. "As a coach, I am ecstatic about Bret coming to TCU," Montigel said. "He is the ultimate package as far I am concerned; a hard worker and a good student. He has a great work ethic which is what I look for in all of my players. "He is a great golfer and I really think he fits in with the rest of the guys," he said. "All the guys really like him and I think he will have a great career here at TCU." Guetz said he could not say enough about this year's team and how their team chemistry separates them from any other team in the country. "I think it is important for a team to be able to relate well to one another, and I have found a home here at TCU," Guetz said. "I don't think you can find 10 other guys on any other team in the country like the guys on TCU's team." he said. "It's a real solid group of really great golfers. We all get along great and I am looking forward to my next three years here as a TCU golfer." Guertz shares the same confidence in the Frogs' squad that he feels in his own game, he said. Guetz said his favorite club is whatever is working that day. Whether it be his driver or his putter, he carriers a bag of loaded weapons. Guetz, TCU's new hired gun, is a straight shooter, on and off the course.
Chris Harrison |
Guetz, a two-sport high school athlete picked up his first
golf clubs as a child, and although he said his focus on the game has changed,
his love for golf has not. | The TCU Daily Skiff © 1998, 1999 Credits |