Good-byes are never easy.But 20 good-byes? Well, that will be the case at Amon Carter Stadium on Saturday for head coach Gary Patterson’s squad.
Gaining bowl eligibility will not be the only thing on TCU’s mind for its matchup with the UNLV Runnin’ Rebels, as the team will honor 20 seniors on Senior Night.
Patterson said while winning this weekend’s final home game is pivotal in the Frogs’ chances of getting to another bowl, the commitment and enthusiasm from this year’s group of seniors has stood out.
“Every group is different,” Patterson said. “This group has been definitely one that’s had a great personality about them.”
The players finish their four- of five-year runs in Fort Worth with three 11-win seasons and have a 43-16 overall record during that period heading into this weekend.
Some of the memorable moments for this group include two bowl wins in Houston and San Diego, its 12-3 win against Texas Tech last season in front of a sellout crowd and its 17-10 upset of then-No. 7 Oklahoma in 2005.
For seniors such as safety David Roach, the UNLV contest will be more than just a regular game.
Roach, who enters Saturday’s game tied for second in the team in tackles with 63 on the season, said the seniors got together and hope to make Saturday a day to remember.
“It’s our last chance to ever prove ourselves in Amon Carter Stadium,” Roach said. “It’s going to be a very emotional experience. We’ll have to pull together and come together as a team and play good TCU football.”
It might be a day honoring the seniors, but for players such as junior center Blake Schlueter, the game means just as much.
“I’m really close to the seniors, and just seeing what they put into the program the last four years since I’ve been here, you definitely want to send them out on a good note.”
With a win, the Frogs would go to 6-5 overall and make themselves bowl eligible for the third consecutive season.
It might just be another game in the record books, but for the seniors, it is the end of the journey – a journey players such as Roach wants to end with a win.
“There’s no guarantees, but I’m really, really pushing for this win,” he said. “I’ll do everything in my power.
