Big 12 Teleconference: Patterson not ready to name a starter - yet.

The first Big 12 Coaches Teleconference was held Monday morning, and while Gary Patterson didn’t name a starter over the phone call, he said the QB announcement will be coming Tuesday. “I’ll wait till tomorrow.”

Patterson did say that the competition had been narrowed down to two candidates, and while he declined to name them, it’s fairly easy to infer that the two competitors are graduate transfer Alex Delton and true freshman Max Duggan. Patterson once again spoke highly of the former Kansas State quarterback, saying of Delton that he’s been “the consummate team member” and speaking once again of how the redshirt senior was a captain at K State and someone whose former teammates still spoke highly of even after he left the program.

While the kind words and platitudes go a long way in the locker room, it will be the performance on Saturday that makes all the difference. And to that point, Patterson said that Duggan has done all that has been asked of him to prove he belongs on the field on game day. “Max is a guy that processes things fast, good arm and runs well. We’re glad he chose to be a Horned Frog.”

Though one will be the starter come Saturday, both will play - and according to GP, at least two quarterbacks will see time in the first quarter. Once he’s had a chance to see them in game action, the decision-making will be done on the fly. “We’ll go from there,” Patterson said.

TCU has never had a true freshman start a game in the Patterson era, but he’s been glowing in regards to Duggan, and frankly, all of the players in the QB room (Justin Rogers, Michael Collins, Matthew Downing, and Matthew Baldwin). From the beginning of fall camp until today, he has had nothing but good things to say about the potential, the work ethic, and the camaraderie of the group. “Overall, I’ve been happy with every quarterback we’ve had. You look at everybody that’s here they’re all great grinders. I think they put a lot into preparing for the ball game.” He also believes that the best is yet to come. “I think we’re going to keep getting better and better at that position as the season goes.”

Though the bulk of the questions were surrounding the questions at QB, the status of senior running back Sewo Olonilua was also a topic of conversation. While the legal proceedings surrounding his May arrest for possession of a controlled substance. Patterson was... well, Patterson, in his response. “He is available. But that doesn’t mean he’ll play.”

TCU Football opens their 2019 campaign Saturday at 7:00pm against Arkansas-Pine Bluff.