Football team shows its stuff at scrimmage
First-string team wins at annual spring scrimmage
By Evan Erwin
Skiff Staff

The football team got a chance to show family and friends what it was made of Saturday in its annual Purple and White Spring Scrimmage, the final practice of the spring.

The first-string offense defeated the second-string offense 13-3.

Head coach Gary Patterson said the event was an important one for the fans.

“Our goal was to get off the field without anyone getting hurt and let everybody’s family see them play,” he said.

The scoring was highlighted by sophomore tailback Lonta Hobbs, who scored the only touchdown of the day. Hobbs’ second quarter score came from one-yard out and capped a 70-yard first-team drive. Freshman wide receiver Cory Rodgers and senior tailback Ricky Madison helped set up the touchdown.

Hobbs, who was named the 2002 Conference USA Freshman of the Year, only managed three yards on two carries in Saturday’s scrimmage. Hobbs amassed 1,029 yards and 12 touchdowns in just eight games last season.

The longest play of the game came from junior wide receiver Bruce Galbert when he hauled in an 88-yard pass from junior quarterback Brandon Hassell, who quarterbacked the first team offense. Sophomore quarterback Tye Gunn, who is still battling a knee injury from last season, watched from the sidelines.

“It’s frustrating to have to watch the game from the sideline,” said Gunn, who missed TCU’s final three regular season games and its bowl game appearance. “We have made a lot of progress this spring. We graduated a lot of guys that played big roles for us, but some younger guys have stepped in and taken up those positions. Hopefully, I will be able to step in and take over in a couple of weeks.”

Hassell was 3 of 11 for 127 yards and four yards rushing on one attempt.

Patterson said Hassell has done a good job filling the quarterback position and running the offense.

“It will be Tye’s spot to lose,” Patterson said. “But I think that Brandon has really made a point that we got two solid quarterbacks. People were worried about our depth at quarterback going into the spring, and I think Brandon Hassell has proven that he can come in and run the offense and do a nice job with it.”

“I was pleased with the offense that we made some plays,” he said. “I am glad that we have three tailbacks that can come in and do a good job for this football team.”

The Frogs will kick off their season in a nationally-televised Labor Day game against conference-rival Tulane.

e.j.erwin@tcu.edu