FORT WORTH — The Horned Frogs did exactly what they were supposed to do against Jackson State University on Saturday night at Amon G. Carter Stadium.
It was something Big 12 Conference rivals Baylor and Texas didn’t do — soundly beat a team from a weaker conference or weaker team within a Power 5 conference by a convincing margin.
Texas Christian University also added magic No. 150 to its season-opening resume.
“That means I can get to No. 151, or at least try to,” Head Coach Gary Patterson said about claiming his 150th career win. “I’d be excited if I can get to 160 by the end of the season. It’s been a lot of long nights and a lot of recruiting, a lot of heartaches and a lot of ball games that didn’t go our way.”
Saturday’s 63-0 rout of Jackson State wasn’t one of them.
Against the Southwest Athletic Conference-based Tigers, Kenny Hill completed his first eight passes. Kenedy Snell shifted and juked his way to his first career touchdown run.
“He’s really done a lot of good things like that. I think you have Des (White), (KaVonte) Turpin and him at that position that can all three do those kinds of things. That’s what we’re excited about,” Patterson said about Snell. “You can keep a Turpin healthy because he doesn’t have to play every snap.”
HILL SHINES WITH NEW WEAPONS
Hill, who tossed an interception on the first play of the second half, completed 18 of 23 passes for 206 yards and threw four touchdowns in the first. During the first two quarters, he found nine different receivers — including Snell and highly-touted wideout Jalen Reagor.
Reagor, a Lonestar State Product out of Waxahachie, Texas, turned two of his three targets into 37 yards. The first reception, one of the 32-yard variety, fell four yards shy of paydirt.
“They can go a little bit. I was so happy for those guys. Kenedy scored on his first touch and I thought Jalen was going to score on his first touch, too,” Hill said about his freshman weapons. “I threw my hands up thinking it was a touchdown. It was good for them to get their feet wet, get in a game and get the nerves out a little bit.
Snell, who found a free path to the end zone after a crucial block from Hill, went sideline to sideline and turned a should-have-been short gain into a 13-yard reception and the Horned Frogs’ first touchdown of the game.
“It just happened like that. I saw him come back and I was like, ‘Oh let me get in there and make sure he scores,'” Hill said, capping the statement with a slight chuckle. “I would have rather him go on the other side and score on that side but I’ll always block for him if he needs it.”
TCU outgained Jackson State 542 to 65 in total yards. Each of its quarterbacks — Hill and DeSoto freshman Shawn Robinson — finished with at least 90 yards, a touchdown and a quarterback rating above 200.
BETTER THAN ADVERTISED
The Horned Frogs’ defense, too, created havoc.
That success came despite despite Ben Banogu, Ross Blacklock, Mat Boesen, Arico Evans and Markell Simmons — five of its 11 starters — making their first career starts as Horned Frogs.
Safety Ridwan Issahaku deftly stepped in front of a second quarter Brent Lyles’ pass and returned it 53 yards for his first career interception and touchdown. Evans returned a fumble 32 yards for a score in the third quarter.
Issahaku’s pick-6 was TCU’s 18th since 2010 and the first since Ranthony Texada against Baylor University last season.
He also had three tackles (2 solo) and a sack.
Patterson and Defensive Coordinator Chad Glasgow’s defense drummed Jackson State quarterbacks to the tune of four sacks and a fumble and an interception for touchdowns.
UP NEXT
Their next opponent is a revamped and reformed Arkansas team from the Southeastern Conference West. The Razorbacks may provide a higher level of preparation for the Sept. 23 conference opener against Oklahoma State University.
Actually, it may be a dog fight.
“All we know is that we’re going to get better,” Issahaku said about facing a SEC team for the first time this season. “We’re excited. We know it’s going to be a slugfest.”
—-
Marcus Matthews-Marion is the managing editor of Texas HS Football. He can be followed across all social media platforms @MarcusSMarion.
Brought to you by:
