The TCU football team played its second-to-last scrimmage of training camp Tuesday, and the bulk of head coach Gary Patterson’s praise went to the new-look offense.
“A lot better day moving the football,” Patterson said. “Played well in the red zone.”
The offense scored on five of its six drives, including three touchdown passes, Patterson said. He added two came from senior transfer Matt Joeckel and the other from redshirt junior Trevone Boykin.
“[The offense] made plays,” Patterson said. “They sped up, and I didn’t get our [defensive] guys in good enough position.”
In addition to his lone touchdown pass, Boykin completed 12-of-14 passes to Joeckel’s 12-of-18. Boykin had a 59.7 completion percentage last season and only threw seven touchdowns.
“I’d probably tell you that Trevone had a better day yesterday…but Joeckel also threw two touchdown passes,” Patterson said
Joeckel and Boykin are still looking to separate from each other as the team’s starting quarterback. Patterson said Monday the team hopes to reach a decision on the starter by Saturday, when the Frogs play their final scrimmage of the camp.
Along with the quarterbacks, Patterson gave updates on a few of his younger players as well.
“[Austin] Schlottman will have a chance to play this year,” Patterson said. “He’ll be in the two-deep.”
Schlottman, a freshman from Brenham, Texas, played offensive tackle in high school, but moved to center during camp.
“That’s why we recruited him,” Patterson said. “We had him snapping in camp. He did all that stuff for us. That was an evaluation.”
Fellow freshman offensive lineman Ty Barrett needs to get in better shape and appears a little heavy, Patterson said.
“He’ll be a redshirt,” he said.
On special teams, walk-on scout team receiver Daniel Walsh has played well enough to earn a spot on the starting kickoff team.
“We haven’t blocked him for two weeks,” Patterson said.
TCU Director of Athletics Media Relations Mark Cohen added Walsh, a sophomore from San Diego, was the scout team’s offensive player of the year last season.
The Frogs begin their season on Aug. 30 against Samford. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. from Amon G. Carter Stadium.
