Backup Jackson leads Frogs against CSU
Sophomore steps in for injured quarterback Andy Dalton
Brett Larson
Issue date: 9/28/07 Section: News
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Listen to the press conference
Marcus Jackson knew he was going to get some playing time against Colorado Sate University, but after an injury to starting quarterback Andy Dalton the game was his.
Behind Jackson TCU won its first Mountain West Conference game and moved to 3-2 with a 24-12 win over the Rams.
Head coach Gary Patterson said he was going to continue using the dual quarterback system of Andy Dalton and Jackson, but after Dalton went down with a bad bruise during TCU's first offensive drive, Jackson and the Horned Frogs did not look back.
Patterson said he was impressed with the play of Jackson but dealing with an injury to the starting quarterback is never something you prepare for.
Jackson said when Dalton went down he knew he would need to lead the team.
"I had to calm myself down. No one was expecting him to get hurt. I had to go out and play football, do what I do best," Jackson said.
The TCU defense was without pre-season All-American Tommy Blake, who is on a medical leave of absence, and was not present on the sideline. Despite his absence, the Frog defense still held the Rams to 55 rushing yards.
Poor late game play has been a problem for the Frogs often this year, and Patterson said this game was no different.
Patterson described this fourth quarter as a lively one and said the team needs to find a way to stay strong offensively late in games especially with several road games coming up.
"We've got to play better offensively in the fourth quarter or else we're not going to beat some of the teams we've got coming up in the next couple of weeks.
Jackson said last year TCU played hard in the fourth quarter and the team needs to do that again this year to continue its success.
"It's been the quarter where we came out and won. That's when we beat our guys. That's what we need to get back in our mindset, the fourth quarter is our quarter," Jackson said.
Runningback Aaron Brown said there were a lot of mental mistakes at the end of the game.
"We've got to make out brains work better, not just the physical part," Brown said.
Defensive end Chase Ortiz said TCU still needs to improve its late game play, but the team is getting better.
"Since the game a couple weeks ago, we've preached 'finish games out.' I don't think we were 100 percent, but we're getting better," Ortiz said
Brown made his first start since his injury against Baylor, and finished the game with 124 yards on 22 rushes.
Jackson said having Brown back is a great luxury that takes a great burden off the offense.
"Everyone else doesn't feel like they have to be Aaron Brown. They can just go out and do what they do best," Jackson said
Brown said Patterson has been preaching to play for the love of the game not just the game.
"He was just telling us to play for the love of the game. We took it up on our initiative to just play for the love," Brown said.
Jackson made their mark quickly after entering the game for Dalton with a four yard run for a touchdown.
Colorado State responded in its ensuing possession with a field goal, but was held without another score until the fourth quarter.
TCU started the second quarter off quickly with a four yard pass from Jackson to tightend Shae Reagan.
TCU's next two possessions ended with a 19 yard field goal from Chris Manfredini and a four yard rushing touchdown from Jackson.
In the fourth quarter Frog play slowed down and the Rams scored 10 unanswered points, including a 54 yard touchdown pass from quarterback Caleb Hanie.
Patterson said Dalton suffered a bad bruise and should be fine.
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