Patterson meets with the media to discuss Air Force
11/28/2006 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 28, 2006
FORT WORTH, Texas -- The TCU football team, headed to the Dec. 19 Poinsettia Bowl, closes its regular season Saturday with a 2:30 p.m. home game versus Air Force.Included below are comments from Horned Frog coach Gary Patterson as he met with the media Tuesday in the John Justin Athletic Center.
How do you keep the team focused with all of the bowl talk?
"I don't think anything has changed. Our mission has been to beat the odds, and we're just trying to get to 10 wins right now. It's Senior Day and also Western Heritage Day which has always been one of our bigger crowds, so we'll have a chance to play in front of a lot of people."
Senior Day always does mean a little more to you, doesn't it?
"This will be my second recruiting class to graduate. This group decided to pick TCU when we finished 6-6 that year (2001)."
Air Force is improved over last year, especially in scoring defense. What has changed?
"If you control the football, the opponent doesn't have it. That's one of the biggest worries I have about this game. If you don't get a couple of breaks and go up early, they can control the ball and run the clock. You have to be the best team on that given day, and they've done a great job. I expect to receive their best game."
What can you tell us about Air Force offensively?
"They're third in the country in rushing offense (241.4 yards per game), and wait till you see them throw the football. Right now, they're passing it all over the place. This is getting ready to be a hornet's nest on Saturday, because they can get it done on offense."
You talked previously in the season about preparing early for Air Force. How far along do you believe you are in that regard?
"We worked two days on them when we had our 16-day layoff (Oct. 5-21). We broke down some early film and spent time running the option."
What's been the difference in your offense (averaging 48.5 points and 615.0 yards) the last two weeks?
"I think the difference was five weeks ago when (tailback) Lonta Hobbs and (wide receiver) Michael DePreist came back, and the offensive line grew up. We had three tailbacks that were supposed to start the season, and we only had one of them the first five games. We finally had all of our bullets. (Tight end) Shae Reagan and (wide receiver) Donald Massey have also come along well."
