Three up, three down: Duggan lights up the Horns again, D-line records zero sacks

For the second year in a row, College Gameday picked Texas to beat TCU across the board. Despite the Longhorn’s annual failure to live up to expectations and the Frogs’ ability to beat them at either Amon G. or Darrell K., sports analysts continue to herald Tom Herman’s squad over that of Gary Patterson.

Well, we all know what happened Saturday. Here are three players or groups that upped their stock for TCU fans this weekend and three who maybe left a bitter taste in our mouths.

Three up:

1. Max Duggan

Look, I know: this is Max’s second-straight week to be at the top of this list. All weekend, I racked my brain for who could have gone above him, but there’s just simply not a better answer.

A year ago, Max’s game-sealing 11-yard touchdown run against Texas felt like an “allow me to introduce myself” moment for the young QB. As he put his knuckles to the sky in form of a Frog, TCU fans got a moment that they felt Duggan may never one-up.

Well, he did. After playing a smart, efficient game, Max said “I’ll do it myself,” and exploded up the middle of the field for a 26-yard score that would put the Frogs up for good.

He finished with a game-high 79 yards and two touchdowns on the ground, adding 231 passing yards on 20-30 passing.

On Monday, Duggan was placed on the Davey O’Brien Great 8 List for his performance. Fox Sports’ Joe Klatt even praised Duggan for a segment, calling his game “sensational.”

If anyone in the country is doubting whether or not Max Duggan is the real deal, they aren’t anymore.

2. Gary Patterson

A true underdog story, Patterson has gone from the number one spot on three down to the three up list in just a week. Who would’ve thought?

Ole’ Coach P definitely earned it. He was named the Dodd Trophy Coach of the Week on Monday, and for good reason.

Since TCU has joined the Big 12 (after Texas begged them), they have a 7-2 record against the Longhorns. That includes a 4-1 record at Darrell K. Royal Stadium, which is one of the nations’ hardest places to play.

The win was Patterson’s 12^th against a top-ten opponent.

“Coach Patterson is no stranger to pulling off victories over top-10 teams, and Saturday’s performance only adds to his impressive resume in Fort Worth,” said Jim Terry, chairman of the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation. “Coach Dodd would have admired TCU’s full-team effort late in the fourth to pull off the upset victory against a rival on the road.”

The Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Award goes to the Division I coach whose team “excels on the field, in the classroom, and in the community.” Coach P won it in 2009. Maybe he will again this fall.

Also, Patterson let Max play the whole game this time. Thank God.

3. La’Kendrick Van Zandt

After moving from linebacker to safety in 2019, La’Kendrick has been nothing short of impressive.

After scoring the weirdest touchdown ever against Iowa State, the safety produced another turnover late in the first half against Texas. On a miscommunication between Ehlinger and his receiver, Van Zandt kept his eyes on the ball and cut back for an easy pick, setting TCU up for a field goal before the half.

Perhaps La’Kendrick’s best play came in the fourth, though. After getting burned on a wheel route by Texas running back Keaontay Ingram, Van Zandt turned on the jets to catch Ingram and tackle him in the redzone. The play was a true demonstration of hustle, as the safety started the play six yards behind the back.

Two plays later, the Frogs forced a fumble on the goal line that would seal the win for them over the Horns. If not for La’Kendrick’s hustle, TCU could be 0-2 in Big 12 play.

Van Zandt finished with a team-high seven tackles and the pick, earning Co-Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week honors. Kirk Herbstreit also listed the TCU safety has his No. 6 performing player of the week.

Three Down (Going to keep this section short, because the Frogs got a huge win)

1. The whole TCU team

Saturday’s game felt like it took a week to get started. Griffin Kell (honorable mention for three up with four made field goals) had to kickoff three times, because TCU was offsides on the first two.

That was the story of the game. The Frogs and Horns combined for 13 penalties in the first quarter, which is a Big 12 record.

Texas gave up 92 yards on 12 penalties. TCU was flagged a total of 14 times on Saturday, giving up 109 yards. That marks the second-straight weeks the Frogs have had double-digit penalties after having 10 against the Cyclones.

Most weeks, that just won’t cut it.

2. The defensive line

After having just two sacks on Brock Purdy in the season opener, the TCU defensive line recorded zero sacks against Texas.

At times, it felt like Ehlinger could have taken a nap, made a sandwich, and then thrown a pass downfield. Luckily, Texas shot themselves in the foot with a penalty or dropped pass (looking at you, Jake Smith) most of the times this happened.

Freshman Khari Coleman did have a nice near-safety on Ehlinger that was counted as a tackle for a loss. That was about it for the D-line on Saturday.

If TCU doesn’t get to the quarterback more, guys like Spencer Rattler could have a monster performances throwing the football.

3. The UT press box

TCU earned a great win on Saturday, so I don’t even have a third player for the three down section.

Instead, I want to know why the UT press box could not provide a meal for the media on Saturday. While the Horns annually earn more money than any other school from their athletic department, they couldn’t put a sandwich and chips in a box for the media.

Meanwhile, I’m sure AD Chris Del Conte was enjoying a nice sirloin steak from the last Bevo that passed away in his suite.

You hate to see it.