Taking a look back
1938 Frog football team had undefeated season and Heisman winner, comparable to 2000 team

skiff staff

The TCU Horned Frogs came, saw and conquered here Saturday afternoon. The Purple’s smooth, devastating offense in that first half did the trick. With almost one accord, the “big shot” sport scribes, coaches and other experts in the press box let out the same cheer: “That’s the greatest football team we’ve seen all season.”

Not since 1938 Heisman Trophy winner Davey O’Brien was roaming the sidelines have these words, an excerpt from the Nov. 20, 1938 edition of the Fort Worth Star -Telegram, been as appropriate when describing TCU football as they are today.

The 1938 Horned Frog team, with O’Brien at the helm, finished the 11-0 campaign as Sugar Bowl champions and national champions. With an undefeated season, a No. 1 ranking and a Heisman Trophy winner all occurring during that season, it’s hard not to make comparisons with the 2000 edition of the Frogs.

Sarah Kirschberg/CO-PHOTO EDITOR Former TCU defensive tackle Bob Lilly speaks at the Legends of the Game luncheon held last Friday in the Student Center Ballroom. Lilly, who played at TCU from 1958-1960, reflected on his days as a Horned Frog.

Team members from that squad, who were on campus this past weekend for Homecoming events, said on the surface, comparisons are minimal but there are qualities that the teams have in common.

“It is really hard to compare the two teams because players these days are much stronger and faster than we were,” Connie Sparks, former running back and punter, said. “Back in my day if you were over 200 pounds you were an exception.

“I can tell that (head coach Dennis Franchione) has a good philosophy, and his players work together really well and encourage each other which is a lot like our team.”

Former fullback and linebacker Ward Wilkinson said playing both offense and defense was one of the biggest differences.

“The game has changed a lot,” Wilkinson said. “We had to learn to play on both sides of the ball, not to mention, we didn’t even have face masks.”

Franchione was hesitant to compare this year’s team with the national championship team of 1938.

“It is hard to make direct comparisons because I don’t know too much about that team except that they were undefeated and were national champs,” he said. “I do feel the sense of history. I’m just the keeper of the key, and I want help extend the TCU tradition.”

Further comparisons can be made when talking about the Heisman Trophy. The 1938 team had TCU’s only Heisman winner, O’Brien, and this year’s team has its own hopeful in senior tailback LaDainian Tomlinson.

Sparks said times were different back then, and the Heisman wasn’t as big a deal as it is today.

“It was so new,” he said. “(O’Brien) was only about the third winner, and nobody here even knew what it was until he won it. We had so many guys who were All-Americans and won awards that it was just another award. Winning the Southwest Conference was our prize.”

Both former players said they are proud to have played for the Frogs and are pleased with the recent success.

“Over the years TCU has had some great players and teams with Jim Swink and Lindy Berry and now this year,” Sparks said. “There is no question TCU has had some good ones, but it sure feels great to win.”

Wilkinson said the support the team is receiving this year reminds him of the years he played.

“We certainly had people who were willing to support the club back then, and it seems to be like that again,” Wilkinson said. “I still notice all of the purple around, that’s part of it.

“There is nothing like the attention you get from having a good ball club, and we had some guys on the team that I considered real gentlemen. I just hope today’s players can win with class.”

Franchione said he understands the importance of the former players to the program, and he tries to keep them involved. He said the athletic department sends out a newsletter every week updating the teams progress and invites the former players to attend many school events.

Sparks said all the hype surrounding the Frogs this year and the team’s success makes him swell with pride.

“When my friends see me now they say ‘Hey Connie, how ‘bout them Frogs,’” he said. “I just hope we can keep it up.”

It’s been two years since the women’s soccer team made it to the Western Athletic Conference Championships, and it’s been six years since the squad has finished with a winning season.

But by finishing the season at 10-8-1 overall and 5-2 in WAC play, the Frogs are heading into the postseason as the No. 3-seed, the highest finish in their history.

Head women’s soccer coach David Rubinson said even though this team is the most well-rounded the school has ever had, they must expect the unexpected in the playoffs.

“It has been a very interesting year for us because we’ve had many ups and downs,” Rubinson said.

Although the players are very excited and confident about the playoffs, they know they can be beaten and must do everything they are capable of doing and work hard for each other.”

The Frogs will play sixth-seeded Fresno State (10-8, 3-4 WAC) in the first round Thursday at Bulldog Stadium in Fresno, Calif. Also on Thursday, fourth-seeded San Jose State will play against fifth-seeded Texas-El Paso. Both top-seeded Southern Methodist and second-seeded Tulsa have first-round byes.

Although the Frogs beat Fresno State 3-0 on Oct. 15, senior defender Christy Filice said she expects the game to be very different from the one played earlier this season.

“When we won against Fresno State, they were coming off a loss against SMU on the road, and we had home field advantage,” Filice said. “Now, with this next game, it’s going to be a little different because we have to go to their house where soccer is very big and pull out a victory.

“We are definitely more skilled, and we have the best talent and the best chance in the playoffs since I’ve been here. If we play to the best of our ability and have energy, spirit and heart, it will raise everyone else’s play.”

To get past Fresno State, Rubinson said his team must first get past Fresno State’s leading goal scorer senior forward Jill Pearson.

“Jill is the top player we’ve faced this season,” Rubinson said. “We’ve asked our players to run at defenders, and we must shut down Jill offensively. Traditionally, our team doesn’t give up many goals, and we’re organized defensively.”

Pearson’s 15 goals and 37 points lead the WAC. She is second behind TCU sophomore forward Sherry Dick in shots with 76.

If the Frogs are victorious against Fresno State, they will play Tulsa in the semifinals on Friday. SMU will play the winner of the San Jose State and UTEP match.

Leading the WAC in goals with 47, Tulsa (12-5-1, 5-2 WAC) has made the postseason four of the last five years. Like the Frogs, Tulsa had its best WAC finish in school history as it tied with TCU for second. By virtue of a win against the Frogs, the Golden Hurricane got the second seed.

The Frogs suffered a 2-0 loss against Tulsa in their first conference game on Sept. 29, but Rubinson said it was because of their young mistakes rather than their ability.

“Tulsa is very athletic up front, but we can’t continue to give them gifts like we did in our last game against them,” Rubinson said.

Dick said she sees SMU as the major force in the playoffs.

“Because SMU has been good all year long and has been very consistent, they are probably going to be in the finals,” Dick said. “We’re playing one game at a time, but we keep the idea of playing SMU in the playoffs in the back of our minds.”

SMU (13-4-1, 6-0-1 WAC) has allowed a conference-low 0.89 goals a game. Aside from the two goals they allowed against Tulsa on Oct. 1, the Mustangs have held all other WAC opponents scoreless.

Kelly Morris
k.l.morris@student.tcu.edu

The TCU Daily Skiff © 1998, 1999, 2000 Credits

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