The Horned Frogs are coached by Gary Patterson. In 14 full seasons, he has posted a 132-44 record, including 12 bowl game appearances and eight bowl wins. Not too shabby.
We’ve heard it countless times by now: The Minnesota Gophers will open their 2015 campaign on September 3 against the 2nd ranked Texas Christian University Horned Frogs. Sure, the casual college football fan has undoubtedly been introduced to TCU over the past decade. Consistent winning has brought the program national exposure. But what is this program about? Do they have an incredible legacy, similar to the maroon and gold? Who should we keep an eye on during the opener? Let’s take a look:
Who to Watch: This is easy. Closely monitor the play of starting quarterback #2 Trevone Boykin and his favorite wide receiver, #9 Josh Doctson. In 2014, Doctson set TCU single-season records in receiving yards (1,018) and touchdown catches (11), including two against Minnesota. Need another offensive playmaker to watch? Try #7 Kolby Listenbee, a senior wideout who compiled four touchdowns and 753 receiving yards in 2014. On the defensive side of the ball, I will be eagerly watching how senior defensive end #40 James McFarland tests Minnesota’s offensive line. McFarland impressed in 2014, totaling seven sacks and amassing 12 tackles for loss.
Coaching: The Horned Frogs are coached by Gary Patterson. In 14 full seasons, he has posted a 132-44 record, including 12 bowl game appearances and eight bowl wins. Not too shabby.
Conference Championships: TCU has won 18 conference championships in six different conferences.
National Championships: TCU won the 1938 national championship by defeating Carnegie Mellon 15-7.
Past Star Players: Current Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton (2007-10), former NFL halfback LaDainian Tomlinson (1997-00) and quarterback Davey O’Brien (1938) all played at TCU. O’Brien took home the 1938 Heisman Trophy and a national championship that year, becoming the first player to win a Heisman Trophy and a national championship in the same year. Tomlinson placed fourth in Heisman voting in 2000.
Fun Facts: – Prior to coaching the Golden Gophers during part of the 90’s, Jim Wacker was the head ball coach at TCU. In nine seasons coaching the Horned Frogs (1983-91), he posted a 40-58-2 record. During his tenure at TCU in 1986, the NCAA placed a three-year probation on the program for various rules violations that occurred between 1979-1985.
-Over the duration of its program, TCU has played in all of the following significant postseason bowl games, among others: Peach (2014), Rose (2011), Fiesta (2010), Orange (1942), Sugar (1936, 1939) and Cotton (six times).
-The 2013 TCU team didn’t even make a bowl game, ending their season with an uncharacteristic 4-8 record. In 2014, the team went 12-1 including a 42-3 dismantling of the Ole Miss Rebels in the Peach Bowl. How about that for a turnaround? They shared the 2014 Big 12 title with Baylor despite losing head-to-head to the Bears by a score of 61-58.
-As of August 1, online sportsbook Bovada lists TCU’s Trevone Boykin as the favorite in winning the Heisman Trophy this season.
-TCU’s football program has been a member of the following football conferences: Texas Intercollegiate Athletic Association (1914-20), Southwest Conference (1923-95), Western Athletic Conference (1996-00), Conference USA (2001-04), Mountain West Conference (2005-11) and the Big 12 Conference (2012-present). The program has also been an independent program at various times.
Campus: As of fall 2014, Texas Christian University has just 8,647 undergraduate students (compared to Minnesota’s 32,300). 54 percent of undergrads at TCU are from the state of Texas, while 40 percent come from out-of-state. The average annual cost of attending TCU? $49,980.
What the heck is up with the nickname? According to the TCU website, four students gave the university the “Horned Frog” nickname in 1897 because of the overabundance of them on campus. Yes, horned frogs actually exist (technically they are lizards), and they are not very pleasant on the eyes. In 1992, the horned frog was officially declared the State Reptile of Texas.
Hopefully this piece gave you a brief historical perspective and background of Minnesota’s opening opponent. It is pretty evident that the Gophers will take on a TCU football program that currently lies high atop college football’s upper echelon. Contrary to popular belief, the Horned Frogs do have a respectable football tradition that dates back over a century, with conference and national championships to prove it. TCU has earned the right to be mentioned among college football’s elite. Although one game is too small of a sample size, it should be fun to find out on September 3 where our up-and-coming Minnesota program lies in relation to a successful TCU program with a potential Heisman Trophy-worthy quarterback in charge.