TCU Football: Frogs run through San Diego State

by Todd E. Jones of College Football Top Ten

On a night when TCU celebrated its 1938 National Championship football team led by Heisman Trophy winner Davey O’Brien, Horned Frog quarterback Marcus Jackson had his own Davey O’Brien moment rushing 27 times for 131 yards and two touchdowns in Fort Worth at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Jackson, filling in for injured starting quarterback Andy Dalton, accounted for a total of 246 yards of offense to help the Horned Frogs to a 41-7 victory over the San Diego State University Aztecs. Jackson also tossed a touchdown to tight end Shae Reagan and finished 10 of 19 for 115 yards passing.

TCU rolled up a total of 498 yards of offense including 383 yards rushing. Running backs Aaron Brown, Ryan Christian, and Joseph Turner each had more than 50 yards rushing for the Frogs with Christian and Turner scoring touchdowns.

Jeremy Kerley also rushed for 40 yards on 4 carries as the Frogs unveiled a new package where Kerley, a wide receiver, lines up as quarterback in the shotgun formation and runs a “read option” play. Even though no name was given for the package, it was similar to the “wildhog” formation that made former Arkansas running back Darren McFadden a Heisman Trophy contender in each of the last two seasons. Maybe the package should be called the “wildfrog.”

While the Frog offense was holding the ball for an astounding 43 minutes and 29 seconds, the TCU defense was dominating the Aztec “pass happy” spread offense. The Frog defense limited SDSU to minus 13 yards rushing and 98 yards passing. The Aztecs were only one of 11 on third downs. The Aztec’s lone score was the benefit of a fumble by Frog quarterback Marcus Jackson at the TCU two yard line. Receiver Mekell Wesley ran the ball in on a reverse to make the score 20-7 with 12 minutes and 11 seconds left in the third quarter. From there, TCU scored three straight touchdowns to get the win.

Frogbits

It was 91 degrees at kick off time in Fort Worth. Is it really October?

Quarterback Marcus Jackson threw his third touchdown pass of the season against SDSU. He has the only touchdown passes for TCU this year.

Freshman kicker Ross Evans has made 9 for 10 field goal attempts for the Frogs this season.

Mr. Touchdown. Joseph Turner has eight rushing touchdowns for the Frogs this season, a team high.

“Big Play Shea.” Tight end Shea Reagan began the year averaging over 19 yards per catch for TCU. He had four catches for 53 yards against the Aztecs including a 33 yard reception in the fourth quarter that helped set up a TCU touchdown along with a touchdown catch in the second quarter.

All Purpose. Jeremy Kerley had 146 all purpose yards for the Frogs. He accumulated yards as a punt returner, receiver, running back and a quarterback.