TCU 17, Boise State 16

Five years ago to the day, Boise State beat TCU in the inaugural Fort Worth Bowl, because the Frogs missed a field goal. Today, wearing Sam Baugh's 45 on their helmets, the TCU Horned Frogs beat the Broncos by 1-- and it was Boise that missed a field goal. It was sweet revenge in a squeaker of a game.

TCU played a typical game, holding Boise State to just 28 yards rushing, and holding the ball over 36 minutes. The Frogs' offense was sluggish at times, including throwing an interception each by Dalton and Kerley. Joe Turner and Aaron Brown ran for touchdowns; Dalton and Christian were key on their feet as well (Christian hustled not only for key yards, but to a key tackle after an interception). Hughes sacked Kellen Moore, Hodge had a game-saving interception, and the Frogs' defense generally stifled the Broncos very impressively after the first quarter.

The victory is TCU's fourth consecutive bowl win-- a Frog record-- and this senior class's 41st win-- another record. The Frogs finish the season 2-2 against top-10 competition. Rumors have it Boise State will be invited to join the Mountain West this offseason; the Wimple hopes this occurs.

Here's a highlights compliation-- watch it in high quality; AP; ESPN's recap video and a short interview with CGP; Watson's first impressions; CBSsports.com; FWST special; MM Frogs Pull Rank; Washington, Hodge turn up intensity; LeBreton: Frogs take risk, earn reward; SMQ calls the Frogs more NFL-like; CFN's Five Thoughts and Instant (and overblown, generally lame) Analysis; Frogs' D; BSU wanted perfection, TCU's D demanded it; Frogs rush by committee; SD Union Tribune lead; Spitblood;

Sam Baugh, 1914-2008

Lower the team flags; fly the championship standards at half-mast; the Wimple will be draped for mourning until the Frogs win their next game. TCU's- and football's- first great passer has crossed the plane of that great endzone in the sky. Baugh was the last living member of the inaugural Pro Football Hall of Fame, and a member of the college hall of fame as well. As the FWST aptly puts it, he was the original cowboy quarterback. He was 94.

Here're clips of a interview with Baugh when he was already an old man, with footage from his NFL days; see him passing as a Washington Redskin.


The Deseret News ran a great editorial about Baugh prior to the Frogs' '06 clash with BYU. Ray Buck, Jeff Wilson, Kevin Sherrington; Washington Post; ESPN's Luksa; Baugh timeline; LATimes; AP; ESPN story, and interviews Mike Ditka (in video), Dr. Saturday; Dick Heller.

TCU Football's Most Beautiful

Shannon, guest posting:
As a follow-up to this year's Players of the Year awards, I thought it would be nice (or just humorous) to give a nod to those young men who are beautiful both on and off the field. I won't list names, but as I was selecting those who would make the cut as "Most Beautiful", I noticed more than one outstanding player that isn't exactly easy on the eyes (most of the offensive line).

-

Let's get started.

5. Jeremy Kerley

I wish I had a better photo of this guy, becasue this one just doesn't highlight all his best features. In a word: cute-as-a-button.

4. Robert Henson

It's all in the eyes with this one. Oh, and what's more beautiful than a happily married man?

3. Aaron Brown

Luscious lips. Chiseled jaw. He's got a good thing going on and off the field.

2. Shae Reagan

It's hard to tell from this picture, but up close (yes, I've been lucky enough to be inches away from this guy) Shae has a chest as deep as it is wide. And he's got a darn cute face to boot.

And TCU's #1 Most Beautiful Football Player is...

1. Bart Johnson

I just call him Harvard Hottie.

Poinsettia

Calling TCU-BSU the best non-BCS bowl game, CFN's Matt Zemek says "When Ball State lost the MAC Championship Game, this encounter became the undisputed non-BCS conference blockbuster of the bowl season. Bronco coach Chris Petersen—after the masterpiece against Oklahoma in the 2007 Fiesta Bowl—has to be given a great deal of respect. He’ll have a tremendous game plan ready for the Horned Frogs, who—though 10-2—lost to Oklahoma in Norman and came agonizingly close to beating Utah in Salt Lake City. Had kicker Ross Evans not biffed two easy kicks (and Evans was a Lou Groza semifinalist, it should be noted), TCU—and not the Utes—would have won the Mountain West Conference and found itself playing Alabama in the Sugar Bowl. Given the fire-breathing nature of TCU’s defense, led by the overwhelmingly athletic Jerry Hughes, Petersen’s going to have to have to come up with something special.
"There you have it: It’s the brainy Boise boss against TCU’s talented toughs. Offensive creativity comes up against defensive dominance. Irresistible force, meet immovable object. Yum, yum, gimme some. Let’s get it on in San Diego!"

Mandel calls this the 5th best bowl of the season; TCU lost its only contest against Boise State in the inaugural Fort Worth Bowl. , by three points. Poinsettia Bowl officially invites TCU and Boise State. FWST lead. Hype is already sprouting: the matchup; Idaho scouts TCU; Idaho finds storylines; FWST reports Frogs eyeing Boise State in the film room. Broncos say TCU is the fastest team they've ever seen; Broncos report; ESPN's Schlabach calls this the 4th best matchup this bowl season; Graham Watson; Bowl thrilled; Frogs' D is best BSU's ever seen; Frogs prepare for fundamentally strong Boise offense, trick plays notwithstanding; LeBreton; BleacherReport previews the bowl, and calls it a lose-lose for TCU and BSU; Boise wants to blanket San Diego; Kerley's back at full speed; Spitblood analyzes TCU's and BSU's QBs, RBs, USAToday on Boise State; Collegesports-fans.com likes TCU by 7; TCU and BSU like mirror images;

In the Wimple's opinion, Boise State engineered the most spectacular ending to any football game in the history of the sport, winning the '07 Fiesta Bowl with these three plays:

Here's ESPN's Todd McShay's (oddly slanted) analysis:

The funniest dig at the BCS, ever.

Seriously; it's brilliant.

MWC lands five bowl berths

Utah will face Alabama in the Sugar Bowl;
TCU will play Boise State in the Poinsettia Bowl;
BYU plays Arizona in the Las Vegas Bowl;
Air Force matches up with Houston (rematch) in the Armed Forces Bowl;
Colorado State plays Fresno State in the New Mexico Bowl.

18 Frogs '08 All-MWC

Defensive Player of the Year: Jerry Hughes.
First Team: Blake Shlueter, Jeremy Kerley (KR), Jerry Hughes, Robert Henson, Jason Phillips, Stephen Hodge
Second Team: Marshall Newhouse, Cody Moore, Matt Panfil, Stephen Coleman, Raphael Priest.
Honorable Mention: Andy Dalton, Jimmy Young, Marcus Cannon, Aaron Brown (KR), James Vess, Nick Sanders, Anson Kelton.

The 2nd Annual Wimple Awards

Last year the Wimple awarded several Horned Frog standouts for the '07 season. (awarded with what? ask you... With kudos, comes the answer.)

The 2008 Purple Wimple Player of the Year: Jason Phillips
This year's TCU team has an embarassment of riches; how do you pick just one of them for this award? Phillips led the team in tackles, gets credit for teaching Robert Henson how to watch film (and that from Henson, a short-list second for this honor, himself), is invariably the coach's first answer to why this year's team has succeeded so well, and the senior linebacker won't be around to pick next year. He'll be in the NFL-- perhaps a first day draft pick-- terrorizing offenses just like he's been doing for four years in the Mountain West.
Photo: M. Walters

Offensive Player of the Year: Andy Dalton
Statistically, the 2007 and 2008 Horned Frog offense was nearly identical, except in one glaring way: interceptions. In '07, the freshman Dalton threw 11 INTs and 10 TDs, and in the process, probably accounted more for 4 of the the Frogs 5 losses than any other player. Enter Andy Dalton, the sophemore. In 2008, prior to the bowl, Dalton has thrown for 11 scores, and only 4 interceptions, and one of those turnovers came as a forgivable hail-Mary pass for the final play in Salt Lake City. Add smart rushing (and 8 TDs with his feet) and Dalton's improvement under center accounts more much of the Frogs' improvement in the win column over last year.
Photo: M. Walters

Defensive Player of the Year: Jerry Hughes
What hasn't been said about Jerry Hughes' dream season? He's a finalist for much more prestigious awards than this one; he's been the step-up player the Frogs needed on the line; his best game was the Frogs' grudge match against BYU on a Thursday, to a national audience; at Utah, he commanded double teams on nearly every play. In short, Hughes stepped into the very large shoes that Chase Ortiz left for a Frog DE, and filled them to overflowing. Hughes will be the only returning starter on next season's front four, and will perhaps be the key defenseman to keep pressure off a new linebacker, defensive tackle and end.

Special Teams Player of the Year: Drew Combs
While the Frogs broke in two freshmen kickers, it was Drew Combs who modeled consistent performance for the youngsters. The senior never made Frog fans nervous as he lined up to for kickoffs.








Seniors of the Year: James Vess, Walter Bryant
Two seniors deserve particular recognition here, because they seem not to get it elsewhere. Walter Bryant turned in his best year in 2008, delivering one clutch catch after another. James Vess returned to the line after a year's suspension, and dominated. Vess's absence last year was palpable, and this year Jerry Hughes was always quick to credit Vess with attracting blockers and paving the way for his own success.
Photos: M.Walters





Freshman of the Year: Kyle Dooley
Sure to be unnoticed in next year's pre-season analyses of the Frogs will be Dooley's status as a returner at left guard. This walk-on freshman beat out two older players, including senior starter Preston Phillips, to guard Dalton's blind side this season. Dooley injured his knee late in the season, but will be an experienced-- and likely scholarship-- force on the interior line next season.
Photo: Texas Football/Jim Thompson


Can't Wait to See Next Year:
Turner, Hicks, Kerley, Washington, Bledsoe, Foltz, Dooley, Caveness, Carder, Broughton. . . just to name a few!