Texas Tech looking to take advantage of depleted TCU defense
TCU coach Gary Patterson has been forced to address another off-field controversy this week.
Texas Tech coach Kliff Kingsbury isn't saying whether revenge will be a major motivator like it was for him last weekend.
The third-ranked Horned Frogs pounded the Red Raiders in record-setting fashion last year, and these 3-0 teams meet to open Big 12 play on Saturday in Lubbock.
Patterson suspended senior defensive end Mike Tuaua and freshman receiver Andre Petties-Wilson from the team after their Monday arrests on charges of robbery-bodily injury.
The coach has endured numerous incidents in recent years, with several players getting kicked off the team.
"I've been through a lot of different situations here, and you've always seen how I handle it," Patterson said. "My job is also to be a father to my players, and if they screw up, they screw up. And in my lifetime here at TCU in 18 years, we've had a few of those, but not as many as others."
Patterson called Tuaua "the most liked kid we have on team besides Trevone Boykin."
Once again, Boykin will be the focal point after he shined in this matchup a season ago.
The Heisman Trophy candidate threw for a school-record seven touchdowns and 433 yards in an 82-27 win over Texas Tech on Oct. 25. The 82 points were a Big 12 record, a TCU school mark and the most allowed by Texas Tech.
"Trevone Boykin, he can extend plays," Texas Tech defensive back Justis Nelson said. "He likes to move around. He can throw the ball for sure. He's a great player, and we'll have to try to contain him as much as we can."
Kingsbury made national headlines after last Saturday's 35-24 win at Arkansas for ripping Razorbacks coach Bret Bielema in postgame comments. Kingsbury isn't feuding with Patterson, but that doesn't mean he's not thinking about last year.
"I don't think you forget losses like that," he said. "I know as a player, I didn't. It's an in-conference game, that should be motivation enough but I'm sure they haven't forgotten what happened last year."
Things could be different with Patrick Mahomes now the starting quarterback. He was 26 of 30 for 243 yards and a touchdown and carried 10 times for 58 yards and two scores against Arkansas.
Mahomes is a much better player since entering last season's matchup with TCU in relief of an injured Davis Webb in his third college game.
"He plays with a certain spirit where I think they never know what's going to happen and they think everything is possible and that we've got a chance in every game," Kingsbury said.
The Frogs figure to be vulnerable defensively after losing a seventh defensive starter in last Saturday's 56-37 win over SMU. Cornerback Ranthony Texada suffered a season-ending knee injury.
Only defensive linemen Davion Pierson and Terrell Lathan are expected to return this season among the seven players lost.
"This program has been around for awhile and we've always had guys step up, whether it's been injuries throughout the season," Patterson said. "I've never been a part of where you lost so many starters, especially this early."
Boykin threw for five touchdowns and 454 yards and also ran 11 times for 50 yards and a score last week. He is tied for second in the nation with 10 TD passes.
"We try to score a lot of points," Boykin said. "If the defense gives up 55 points and we score 56, then it's all good with me at the end of the day as long as we win."
Texas Tech averages 54.3 points, tied for third in the country. The Red Raiders are facing a ranked opponent for the first time after going 0-4 in such contests in 2014.
One edge will be playing in Lubbock, where the Red Raiders have captured the last four meetings with TCU.
"Everybody's better when they play at home," Patterson said. "They've got a sellout and they're playing really well and they're 3-0. Good teams create their own magic."
