The TCU football team might have gone 5-1 at Amon Carter Stadium last year, but the Horned Frogs’ home games were not the most inspiring performances, especially considering the level of competition they faced each week.
In its season opener, TCU trailed Louisiana-Monroe 17-14 after the first quarter before eventually pulling away in the second half. ULM finished 4-8 for the year.
Same story one week later against Portland State, a Football Championship Subdivision team. The Horned Frogs trailed 3-0 after the first quarter.
And, of course, they lost to SMU 40-33 in overtime on Oct. 1, snapping their 22-game home winning streak.
Head coach Gary Patterson said that is something he would like to change.
That hasn't happened yet.
The team held its first spring scrimmage Saturday in its under-construction stadium.
Patterson, who repeatedly criticized his defense after Saturday’s practice, said Tuesday the intensity level was not where it needed to be. The Horned Frogs’ lackadaisical approach Saturday was a carry-over from their performance at home last year, Patterson said.
“What I wasn’t very fired up about with the defense on Saturday was when we step in the Carter. That’s when our motor has to run high,” Patterson said. “We did not play well last year in our own stadium. Not one ball game. And that’s unusual.”
TCU opens the season against Grambling State Sept. 8 in what would be a newly renovated stadium. From there, the Horned Frogs’ schedule tightens up.
Virginia comes to Fort Worth Sept. 22, two weeks before TCU makes its Big 12 home debut against Iowa State Oct. 6.
TCU plays Texas Tech Oct. 20 and closes out the home slate against Kansas State on Nov. 10 and Oklahoma following on Dec. 1.
KSU went 10-3 last year and earned a Cotton Bowl berth. The Sooners, who started last season ranked No. 1 in the country but fell to 14th by season’s end, have won seven conference championships since 2000.
TCU has won three straight Mountain West titles, but Patterson said his team would have to ratchet up the intensity at home if they want to continue to have that success in the Big 12.
“We have got to get to where we turn the motor up when we come out of our tunnel,” Patterson said. “If you want to win championships, you’ve got to protect yourself.”
