Quarterback Casey Pachall will “probably” start at home this week against West Virginia, head coach Gary Patterson said.
The Horned Frogs are attempting to turn around their season. At 3-5, the Frogs must win three of their last four contests to make it to a bowl game.
Patterson said he hopes Pachall’s leadership will help the struggling TCU offense make the necessary strides to do that.
Pachall returned to action against Texas after being sidelined since breaking his forearm in the Sept. 7 match with Southeastern Louisiana.
Patterson said despite Pachall’s lackluster performance the team benefited from his return.
“Leadership and everything else, we needed him in the huddle,” Patterson said.
The senior took the field on TCU’s third drive after a fumble by starter Trevone Boykin set up a quick score by Texas.
Pachall completed just 13 of 34 passes for 139 yards with an interception. Saturday was just the third game he has played in nearly a year. He missed the majority of 2012 after leaving the program to attend a drug and alcohol rehabilitation facility.
“Maybe a little rusty,” Pachall said of how he felt about his performance. “But for the most part, I felt good.”
The Longhorns were able to get defenders free runs at Pachall for much of the night, but Patterson praised him for staying in the pocket and delivering the ball even as he was getting hit.
“One of things that he did do is he shows that we can still sit in there and throw the football down the field without having to scramble,” Patterson said.
The key difference with Pachall on the field, Patterson said, is his attitude as a leader.
“The one thing I like about him is he has a higher expectation level coming in,” Patterson said. “We’ve got to do a lot better if we want to win any ball games. He’s been here before. He understands that. He doesn’t accept that, and he was a lot better leader in the huddle during the week and on Saturday than we’ve had. Nothing against Trevone, it’s just [Pachall has] been there a lot longer than what he’s been.”
