Frogs hold spring drills, scrimmage
Coach Patterson says one sloppy practice isn’t of concern
By Braden Howell
Staff Reporter

Head coach Gary Patterson said he is not going to let Thursday’s sloppy practice detract from what he considered a pretty good first week of spring practice.

“Our third practice had a very high intensity and (Thursday’s) was a little sloppy, but I don’t feel bad about it,” Patterson said.

The Frogs wrapped up their first week of spring football Thursday with a 2 1/2-hour practice that was highlighted by an intra-squad scrimmage.

The scrimmage involved many of the younger players on the team, especially on defense and the offensive line, as coaches look to solidify back-up positions and seek replacements for lost starters.

In Thursday’s practice, the defensive line dominated every patch-work offensive line it was faced with.

The offensive line, which featured only one starter during the scrimmage, was plagued by repeated false starts, but Patterson said it’s expected with younger players.

Sophomore quarterback Tye Gunn participated in non-contact drills during the first half of practice but was held out of the scrimmage as he continues rehabilitation for a knee injury.

Junior quarterback Brandon Hassell took repetitions with the first team offense, but Hassell had trouble reading the defensive coverages.

Though inconsistent, the quarterbacks did not receive much help from the wide receivers.

Several times during a seven-on-seven passing drill and the scrimmage, receivers dropped catchable passes.

Patterson said the Frogs have 40 more practices to find the players who will be able to contribute. Although he is extremely vocal during practice, Patterson said he takes a much more laid back approach to evaluating the players.

“As a coach you have a tendency to go on emotion as you watch out here,” Patterson said. “But you need to rationally look back and see what you need to do to become better.”

b.r.howell@tcu.edu