Hobbs questionable for Saturday’s game
By Crystal Jones
Skiff Staff

Although the football team’s victory over Arizona Saturday marked the first ever win for a Conference USA team against a PAC-10 foe, the growing list of injuries that continues to plague the Frogs remained the only topic on everyone’s mind at this week’s media luncheon with head coach Gary Patterson Tuesday.

Despite the fact that defensive end Robert Pollard and weak safety Marvin Godbolt were injured against Arizona, Patterson said the team cannot focus on the injuries.

“We’re more beat up than a year ago,” Patterson said. “You just have to keep moving forward. You can only control what you can control.”

Patterson said Robert Merrill, who rushed 31 times for 148 yards in his first career start, will start again this Saturday against Army. He said Lonta Hobbs is still questionable but will have a better idea today as to whether or not he could play.

This game marks the third meeting between the two schools, with TCU leading the series 2-0. Army is winless in four games this season and will hit the road for the first time after opening with all home games.

Although Army has not defeated a nationally ranked team since 1972, Patterson said, his team is not underestimating the Cadets.

“Every time we’ve played them it’s been a hard-fought game,” he said. “They have a lot of players from Texas on their roster. Every time they come back here it’s like the Alamo.”

Senior fullback Kenny Hayter said all the team needs is time to adjust to the numerous injuries on both sides of the ball and to develop a better rhythm offensively. With all the injuries in the backfield in the past few weeks, he said he wants to continue to instill confidence and leadership into the other running backs.

“I try to be the first in the huddle and first in the locker room, telling the guys to keep it up,” Hayter said.

Even with the nagging injuries and the loss of key players, the TCU replacements have found a way to win.
Playing without starting quarterback Tye Gunn and running backs Ricky Madison and Hobbs, the 20th ranked Horned Frogs posted a 13-10 overtime win at Arizona Saturday night.

With the win, TCU is 4-0 for the first time since 1991.

“It was a great victory to come back and do what we did, but we paid a price for it,” Patterson said. “You have to make plays when you go on the road. That’s what winning teams do. You have to find a way.”