Corey Connally Carries the Torch
11/2/2001 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 2, 2001
All he wanted was an opportunity. So he waited. And waited. And waited. Through a redshirt season. Through a season when he never received a handoff. Through the first five games of this year, when he only had seven total carries.
Then when the calendar turned into October, it was finally Corey Connally time. Injuries to starter Ricky Madison and reliable backup Andrew Hayes-Stoker put the Crowley sophomore into the starting lineup at Houston. And he certainly stepped up.
Connally made an immediate impact on TCU's opening drive with a 31-yard dash that set up a touchdown. Then in the second quarter, the speedster took the handoff on a 14-power play, followed a key block by guard Victor Payne, and sprinted 80-yards to paydirt.
"There was quite a big hole on that play. The line did a great job opening it up and I just hit it hard," Connally said. "I was surprised when I broke into the open field and didn't see anyone there. It was beautiful. We talked about that when I got back from the endzone, I had to show some love for that."
Connally couldn't have picked a better time. TCU was coming off the stunning loss to Northwestern State, and needed a road win in their C-USA debut to get things turned back around. His patience and hard work paid big dividends for the Frogs.
"I've been waiting for this for a long time, and it's been extremely exciting. I was getting a little frustrated, but I was well-prepared," said Connally, who is quick to give credit to the improving offensive line. "I knew my time would eventually come and when it did, I wanted to be ready. I didn't expect it to go that well, but if you don't believe in something, nobody else will. It was my goal, and I reached down and got it."
Connally finished the Houston game with 199 yards, including 150 in the first half, and was named C-USA Offensive Player of the Week. His 80-yard run was the longest non-LT run by a Frog since Andre Davis had an 87-yard gallop against New Mexico in 1994.
"Sounds like a back I used to know," head coach Gary Patterson said. "Corey displayed the speed we haven't had, and the most encouraging thing to me was that he broke a lot of tackles."
It looked like a new member has moved to the Head of the Committee to Replace LT, as Connally followed up this effort with 74 yards and two touchdowns against Tulane, and had another 68-yard scamper called back. He then quietly rushed from 151-yards against Army.
It was LaDainian Tomlinson himself who anointed Corey as his successor with a wink to offensive coordinator Mike Shultz last spring. LT still serves as a mentor for Connally, and the pupil has learned plenty from his predecessor.
"It would be a pretty long list," laughs Connally. "Mainly how to be more patient as a runner. Sometimes you have to wait on things to develop. He was a great role model and we still talk on a weekly basis. He was always positive about everything."
The speedster's running philosophy is simple. "I just try to run hard. Be an insane runner! I try to hit it hard every time. There's not always going to be an opening, but when there is, you can get through the line fast."
But he also sees room for improvement in his game. "I want to be a solid blocker. On the plays where I have to play-fake, I want to improve to where they think I really do have the ball, and take some of those guys out of the play."
Waiting for an opportunity to carry the ball is nothing new for Connally.
"As a junior in high school, I started as a cornerback, and was the backup tailback. I split the time with a senior. I didn't get as many carries as I would have liked, but when I got in, I took care of my opportunities," recalls Connally, who rushed for 1,368 yards as a starter during his senior year.
Connally credits his mother with playing an important role in his life. "My mom was my role model. Just to see how she goes through everything on a day-to-day basis, and how strong she is. Because my father is no longer around, she does a great job of holding everything together. I try to do everything I can to please her."
Because of his close relationship with his family, the decision to attend college in the metroplex was an easy one. "It was close to home, and I didn't plan to go very far. Right around that time when I was a senior, I watched the Sun Bowl, and they dominated against USC. I realized these guys were on the rise, and I might as well hop on the boat. Also the people here were real nice and I felt it would be a home environment for me."
Connally enjoys being a Horned Frog and appreciates the future opportunities a degree from TCU will present. "Right now, I am a psychology major, but I think I may switch to speech communications. I feel anyone with a speech communications degree from TCU will be very well qualified to do anything, and will be at the top of the list."
But first, Connally wants to rise to the top of the C-USA list in rushing yards, and continue the tradition of excellence for tailbacks at TCU, carrying the torch passed to him by the great LT.
