Best TCU Moments: Patterson Region Round 1

Voting is now open for the first of four regions in our Best TCU Moments Bracket!

Today through tomorrow (Wednesday) at 2pm you’ll be able to vote on the first round matchups in the Patterson Region. Vote here, vote on Twitter at @FrogsOWar and @FrogPreacher, and let us know who you voted for in the comments!

Here are the first round matchups in the Patterson Region.

#1 Immaculate Deflection vs. #16 No More Fireworks

The No. 1 overall seed Immaculate Deflection faces off against the play-in 16-seed winner No More Fireworks. TCU fans will remember both of these moments pretty clearly.

Immaculate Deflection

TCU entered the Rose Bowl as an underdog to a Wisconsin team that had been absolutely railing opponents with a dominant ground game. Most national pundits thought TCU would get run all over because of their undersized defense. But for the majority of the game TCU and Gary Patterson, led by Tank Carder, kept the Badgers at bay.

A late 4th quarter touchdown drive put Wisconsin to within two at 21-19. Bret Bielema’s team opted to go for two, and after a drive that featured gashing runs, pretty much everyone in the universe expected a run play from the Badgers.

Instead, we got this:

TCU recovered the ensuing onside kick, Andy Dalton took a knee to kill the clock, and the TCU Horned Frogs won the Granddaddy of Them All.

No More Fireworks

It’s not often that a Gary Patterson led team absolutely demolishes an opponent, simply because he typically calls off the dogs. But against Texas Tech in 2014 something was different. Yes, TCU put in their backups and stopped throwing the ball, but the Red Raiders defense was so inept that they simply couldn't do things like tackle.

82 points later TCU had absolutely embarrassed Texas Tech and established that their new offense under Doug Meacham and Sonny Cumbie was a force to be reckoned with.

It was a surprise to everyone, including TCU’s pyrotechnics department.

#8 Schultz HR vs. Texas (‘10) vs. #9 Luttrell’s forced fumble vs. Utah (‘09)

TCU’s football and baseball programs have taken similar arcs over the last 15 years or so. And as both programs were breaking out on the national stage, moments like the two here secured critical victories to keep that upward momentum.

Aaron Schultz’s home run vs. Texas (2010)

TCU travelled to Austin for the second straight year, set up to face off against Texas in a Super Regional. The Frogs were on the losing end of things in 2009, but 2010 was a different story. Having never made the College World Series to this point, TCU was absolutely the underdog against the Auggie Garrido-led juggernaut Texas.

TCU took game one while Texas took game two. Knotted up at 1-1 in the series, and with TCU leading 1-0 late into game 3, things were still very up in the air.

Then, with two outs and one on in the seventh, Aaron Schultz stepped up to the plate. Coming into the season Schultz was expected to be a role player, but he had earned the trust of Schlossnalge as the season progressed, seeing more and more opportunities come his way.

He proved Schloss right in this moment, blasting a two-run home run to left field, extending TCU’s lead to 3-0.

Bryan Holaday would add another run in the eighth, and Tyler Lockwood closed things out in the ninth to send the Horned Frogs to the College World Series for the first time in program history.

A Frogpile ensued, and the rest is history.

Tyler Luttrell’s forced fumble vs. Utah (2009)

This was arguably the loudest TCU game I have ever attended in person, and if you ask TCU fans they’ll all tell you where they were the first time GameDay came to town. It had been a long, long day for Frog fans, waiting since the wee hours of the morning for this night game to start.

TCU came out on fire, and it was clear from the outset that they were going to be the more physical team that night. After a touchdown to open the scoring, TCU kicked off to the Utes with the crowd rocking.

Tyler Lutrell kept them on their feet, by knocking the Utah returner off his. Take a look:

This assertion of TCU’s physical dominance carried throughout the rest of the game and on to the final scoreboard, where TCU won 55-28.

#5 Peach Bowl double-pass TD vs. #12 Evan Skoug HR vs. Missouri State

Peach Bowl Double Pass

We don’t need to talk about the things that led to TCU being left out of the College Football Playoff in 2014. But we do need to acknowledge the high level of rage the team felt in being shunted sideways into the Peach Bowl.

It spawned one of the most glorious beatings in TCU football history, with the Frogs absolutely demolishing Ole Miss 42-3.

TCU wasted no time in turning the Rebels into paste, with this double pass touchdown from Trevone Boykin to Kolby Listenbee to Aaron Green.

The cherry on top is color commentator Tim Tebow recognizing the play and calling it as it happens.

Evan Skoug’s Home Run vs. Missouri State

TCU reached the 2017 Super Regional by cruising through the Fort Worth regional, defeating Central Connecticut State, Virginia, and DBU in short order. Meanwhile, Missouri State made short work of the Arkansas regional, beating Arkansas twice to advance to the Super Regional against TCU.

Coming into the series a lot of pundits picked Missouri State to beat TCU, despite the latter being the No. 6 National Seed.

Heading into the 8th inning of game one Missouri State led 2-1 and seemed hellbent on proving people right at TCU’s expense. But then, Evan Skoug stepped to the plate.

TCU went on to win 3-2, and took game two 8-1 to advance to their fourth straight College World Series.

#4 Jamie Dixon Hired vs. #13 Trevone Boykin High Fives Dana Holgorsen

Jamie Dixon Hired

TCU men’s basketball has long been mired in abysmal play, save for a few bright moments throughout its history. Entering the Big 12, TCU and head coach Trent Johnson were consistently projected to finish last, and they met those expectations without much resistance.

Meanwhile, Pitt was apparently becoming disenchanted with constantly making the NCAA Tournament and decided it was time for a change. The Panthers made it easier for TCU to take Dixon by negotiating down his $10 million buyout, and Fort Dixon was born.

Since his hiring, Dixon has clearly elevated TCU’s status as a program. Yes, there’s still room to grow, but there’s no doubt TCU is better because Dixon is here.

Boykin jukes and high fives Holgo

The decline of Trevone Boykin has been tragic to watch, but before all of that he was one of the best players in college football in 2014 and 2015. One of his most iconic plays is absolutely this one from 2015.

Ranked 5th in the nation, TCU was a machine looking to win their eighth straight game to open the season. Meanwhile, West Virginia had lost three straight and was looking to right the ship.

That....didn’t happen. But this juke of multiple defenders led to Dana Holgorsen’s resigned amusement and complete lack of any idea how to stop Boykin from being Boykin.

So he just high fived him instead.

TCU won the game 40-10.

#6 Jamie Dixon Buzzer Beater vs. Texas vs. #11 Helmetless Brock Block

Dixon’s Buzzer Beater

Jamie Dixon’s shot is great even out of context, but when you understand that this helped TCU to a share of the Southwest Conference title it makes it even sweeter.

Trailing Texas 54-53 with just a few seconds left, Dixon hit a half court shot dubbed “The Miracle.” Adding to the moment is the fact that a Texas player had been named Player of the Game just before the ball was inbounded to Dixon.

Helmetless Brock Block

This moment is pure chaos. In the midst of a spectacular Jeremy Kerley punt return we have Tanner Brock, helmetless and reckless, launching himself into a player. The juxtaposition of Kerley effortlessly avoiding contact while Brock clearly yearns to hit someone shouldn’t be lost on anyone.

#3 Luken Baker CWS Home Run vs. Texas Tech vs. #14 “Speed Baby”

Luken Baker homers against Texas Tech in College World Series

Watching Luken Baker hit monster dingers was a great source of joy for TCU fans during his time as a Frog. Watching him a monster dinger against Texas Tech in the College World Series elevated him to legend status.

Top of the 9th. Frogs down 3-2. Two on. One out.

Absolutely Hammered.

“Speed Baby”

Gary Patterson is known for his post game interviews. From high school dating analogies to “next question” his intensity from the sideline translates to the media room.

But nothing, absolutely nothing, tops his rant after TCU beat Texas Tech in 2006, holding the Red Raiders to a measly three points.

#7 Mitchell 60-Yard TD vs. USC vs. #10 Boyce 2-pt conversion vs. Boise State

Basil Mitchell 60-yard TD run vs. USC (1998)

TCU hadn’t won a bowl game in 41 years, and entered the Sun Bowl at 6-6 on the season. But the Frogs weren’t phased by Carson Palmer and USC’s high powered offense. Instead, Basil Mitchell ran all over USC for 185 yards and two touchdowns, including this 60-yarder to put the Frogs up 14.

Josh Boyce 2-point conversion vs. Boise State (2011)

TCU was living in a post Rose Bowl reality when they traveled to Boise, Idaho in 2011. They were leaving the Mountain West for the Big 12 the next season, and Casey Pachall was finding his way in the big shadow of Andy Dalton.

Boise State was ranked #5 in the nation and seemed primed to get back to a BCS game. QB Kellen Moore was the leader of an insane offense, and the Broncos defense was criminally underrated.

TCU held their own throughout the game, and trailed Boise State 35-27 with just 1:13 left in the game. Pachall hit Brandon Carter for an acrobatic touchdown, and the Frogs decided to go for two instead of trying it. After all, Ross Evans had missed an extra point earlier in the game.

That led to this:

Of course, Boise State would miss a field goal to seal this victory - which snapped the Broncos’ 65-game home winning streak.

#2 Summers Stop vs. Baylor vs. #15 Parrish Dunk to Seal NIT Title

Ty Summers Gets 4th down stop to beat Baylor (2015) (Written by Deanna Rust)

Great battles are never forgotten, especially against your greatest enemy. On Black Friday in 2015, some of TCU’s greatest football names faced some of Baylor’s most annoying. We saw names like Boykin, Oberkrom, Green, Turpin, Orr, and Summers square up against Coleman, Linwood, Oakman, Cannon, and Callahan. The scene was perfect for a fight: 39 degrees, pouring rain, 14 mile per hour winds, and a 45 minute lightning delay. There were great plays by both sides in the first half, along with some crazy slips, slides, hits, and drops. Watching the game highlights, you’re reminded just how accurate Boykin was in terrible weather. By the end of the first half, the teams were tied 14-14.

The defensive battle was there in the first half, but the second half is when the real fun began. Punters Drew Galitz (Baylor) and Ethan Perry (TCU) punted a total of 22 times in the game—17 of them in the second half alone (Galitz 8, Perry 9). There were perfect punts, blocked punts, punts that that caused scuffles…and the weather just kept getting worse through it all.

Then regulation ended. Nobody moved. We went into overtime. Baylor scored first on 8 tries. We answered in 4, even after Turp skated past the pylon and it was called back. We re-grouped and went again. This time, it took 5 plays. It was 28-21. Baylor’s Devin Chafin ran for 2 yards. 2nd down. Chafin runs again. 2 more yards. 3rd down. Chris Johnson runs for 5. Now it’s 4th and 1. The handoff goes to

Chafin as Ty Summers breaks through their offensive line. He sets his sights on Chafin, as Julius Lewis comes from the outside to force Chafin to try to squeeze between defenders.

Summers wraps up his legs, as Lewis tackles him up top. And the game is over. After listening to chants

of 61-58 for over a year, TCU was back on top of the Bears.

Josh Parrish Caps TCU’s NIT Run with Dunk

Sometimes we forget the hard work that kids put into their crafts so we can watch them succeed.

For Brandon Parrish, he worked his backside off for his entire TCU basketball career to see very few positive results from the team. But his senior year the Frogs had Jamie Dixon at the helm, and TCU made a run through the NIT.

They absolutely blasted Georgia Tech in the championship game, leading from the outset and never looking back.

Brandon Parrish subbed out with a few minutes left, and watched as his teammates sealed the victory.

His younger brother, Josh, put the exclamation point on the season with a last-second breakaway dunk. A huge piece of what makes this moment so great is watching Brandon celebrate Josh on the sidelines, and run on to the court as the buzzer sounds.