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DMN: Why Gary Patterson doesn't want to dwell on TCU's makeshift defense
Chuck Carlton
Follow @ChuckCarltonDMN
ccarlton@dallasnews.com
FORT WORTH - Jerry Hughes would eventually become an All-American defensive end and a first-round NFL draft pick at TCU.
Yet as a freshman nearly 10 years ago, he was wandering through a hallway at Amon Carter Stadium midway through the season, looking lost when he ran into coach Gary Patterson. The point, Patterson said Tuesday, is that freshmen face many challenges adjusting to college football, from preparation to high-stakes games to coaching feedback to a new opponent in the span of a few days. From a coaching standpoint, seniors handle it a lot better than freshmen and sophomores, Patterson said.
That same look of confusion is unavoidable thanks to injuries and departures that have produced a makeshift defense. Even with the return of senior defensive tackle Davion Pierson from a concussion, TCU is down six probable defensive starters from preseason camp. Fourteen defensive players have made their first starts this season.
Even Texas coach Charlie Strong offered sympathy with the Longhorns (1-3) scheduled to visit Fort Worth on Saturday. ...
http://www.dallasnews.com/sports/college-sports/columnists/chuck-carlton/20150929-carlton-why-gary-patterson-doesn-t-want-to-dwell-on-tcu-s-makeshift-defense.ece
Chuck Carlton
Follow @ChuckCarltonDMN
ccarlton@dallasnews.com
FORT WORTH - Jerry Hughes would eventually become an All-American defensive end and a first-round NFL draft pick at TCU.
Yet as a freshman nearly 10 years ago, he was wandering through a hallway at Amon Carter Stadium midway through the season, looking lost when he ran into coach Gary Patterson. The point, Patterson said Tuesday, is that freshmen face many challenges adjusting to college football, from preparation to high-stakes games to coaching feedback to a new opponent in the span of a few days. From a coaching standpoint, seniors handle it a lot better than freshmen and sophomores, Patterson said.
That same look of confusion is unavoidable thanks to injuries and departures that have produced a makeshift defense. Even with the return of senior defensive tackle Davion Pierson from a concussion, TCU is down six probable defensive starters from preseason camp. Fourteen defensive players have made their first starts this season.
Even Texas coach Charlie Strong offered sympathy with the Longhorns (1-3) scheduled to visit Fort Worth on Saturday. ...
http://www.dallasnews.com/sports/college-sports/columnists/chuck-carlton/20150929-carlton-why-gary-patterson-doesn-t-want-to-dwell-on-tcu-s-makeshift-defense.ece
