R-E-S-P-E-C-T
Frogs take down nationally-ranked Louisville
By Brent Yarina
Assistant Sports Editor

TCU’s dream of an invitation to a Bowl Championship Series game is still a possibility.

By a matter of inches.

Wednesday night, in front of a national audience on ESPN2, the Frogs improved their record to 9-0. With the victory, the Frogs held onto their claim as one of the two teams undefeated in the nation, thanks to Louisville place-kicker Nate Smith hitting the crossbar on a 44-yard field goal as time expired.

“The football gods were on our side,” head coach Gary Patterson said. “The difference in that ball game was three inches.”

Patterson said despite the team struggling to stop the opponent on defense for a second consecutive week, he is happy with how well his team played.

“Not everything went our way but we found a way to win,” he said. “I think that’s what the game is all about; that’s the difference between the NFL and college.”

Things were going the Frogs way early in the contest. They jumped out to a quick14-3 lead in the first quarter on a Cory Rodgers 7-yard rushing touchdown and a Quentily Harmon 30-yard touchdown reception.
However, Louisville cut the lead to 14-10 in the second quarter on a one-yard touchdown run by Lionel Gates, who replaced the injured starter Eric Shelton. But the Frogs responded with an eight-yard touchdown run from Brandon Hassell. Hassell finished the game with 251 yards on 17-27 passing, with one touchdown and no interceptions. He also added 61 yards rushing on 11 carries, with one touchdown.

The Cardinals cut the deficit to eight points with a 26-yard field goal from Smith as time ran out in the second quarter, and the Frogs took a 21-13 lead into halftime.

Early in the second half the Frogs visions of a BCS bowl seemed to be dwindling as Louisville quarterback Stefan LeFors continued with the hot-hand, hitting tight end Ronnie Ghent for a 12-yard touchdown to tie the game at 21. LeFors torched the TCU defense for 459 yards on 31-46 passing, with one touchdown and no interceptions.

Late in the third quarter, when the momentum seemed to be shifting to Louisville, the Frogs relied on their sure-footed kicker Nick Browne to break the stalemate, and Browne gave the Frogs the lead with a 44-yard field goal.

“Thank goodness we have a Nick Browne, cause that was the difference in the ball game,” Patterson said.
With experience in close games and pressure situations, the Frogs relied on their team chemistry to find a way to win.

“We have great chemistry with everybody, from offense to defense to special teams, everybody,” junior wide receiver Reggie Harrell said. “That’s the main thing, our chemistry, we find a way to win.”

Louisville had one last chance on the game’s final drive, setting the stage for the possible game-tying field goal.

But when the ball hit the crossbar, it was the Frogs who were celebrating.

“I remember my heart beating, and when I saw it hit the upright, I felt joy and just wanted to celebrate with my teammates,” Hassell said.