Darius Anderson. Photo from GoFrogs.com.
TCU fans had every reason to be nervous about Saturday's game against Arkansas — last year's loss, playing on the road, the letters S-E-C. But the Frogs survived, and not only did they survive, they dominated (for the most part, anyway).
Let's look back at the Frogs' 28-7 win with our six takeaways from the game.
1. This defense though.
Props to TCU's defensive crew for holding Arkansas to one touchdown. The Frogs were dealing all afternoon, and come second half, no one looked tired. Safety Ridwan Issahaku led the team with eight tackles and a sack to close out the Razorbacks' last drive of the day. One thing's for certain, Gary Patterson defense is alive and well with the 2017 team.
2. Darius. Anderson.
Yes, Kyle Hicks is back. But fellow running back Darius Anderson — keep an eye on this kid. Not only did Anderson record a touchdown and lead the Frogs in rushing; his 106 yards were the most he's run in career history.
3. TCU...a running team?
Since offensive coordinator Sonny Cumbie's hiring, it seemed TCU would rely on fast-paced drives and high-flying passes. But against Arkansas, TCU relied mostly on its running backs, rushing for 195 yards. If the Frogs decide to shift their offensive focus to the ground, Hicks and Anderson could very well carry the team this season.
4. Kenny Hill has the arm — but needs work on the accuracy.
That said, quarterback Kenny Hill still has a lot to work on in the passing game. While he completed 21 of 31 passes, Hill struggled with deep throws, and his interception in the first quarter would have led to an Arkansas score in the second, had the Razorbacks not missed their field goal. While the Frogs' running backs are solid, it'll help to improve accuracy in the air as well.
5. Watch out for mistakes.
A 28-7 score looks good on paper, but the Frogs did show some vulnerability in the first three quarters of the game. Things like penalties and dropped passes can be costly in the long run, which the team will need to work on improving heading into conference play.
6. A statement win?
Yes, it's only the second game of the season. Yes, TCU is ranked, and Arkansas is not. But hey, it's a 28-7 road win against an SEC team. Sounds like a statement to me.