TCU vs San Diego State Football
Unbeaten Horned Frogs Face Hopeful Aztecs in 2009 Football Matchup
San Diego State will seek its fourth victory in five games when it plays host to undefeated TCU in a Mountain West Conference football game Saturday, Nov. 7, at San Diego.
The Aztecs, of course, are nowhere near powerhouse status. They're just 4-4 overall and 2-2 in conference play. And in their last game, they struggled to beat a winless New Mexico State team 23-20. But first-year head coach Brady Hoke has the Aztecs in contention for their first bowl berth since 1998.
In any case, the Aztecs will find out Saturday just how good they've become. TCU (8-0) is No. 6 in both the Bowl Championship Standings and the AP Top 25.
Coach Gary Patterson's Horned Frogs lead the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision in total defense, allowing only 235.8 yards per game. TCU has given up just 13 points in its last three games, and its 41-0 shutout of UNLV last week was its 10th consecutive victory.
The Horned Frogs have won all four of their games vs. the Aztecs, including a 41-7 decision last season. A victory over the Aztecs this weekend would make TCU 5-0 entering a Nov. 14 conference showdown vs. No. 17 Utah.
Saturday's game is scheduled for 1 p.m. PST and will be telecast by the Versus Network.
QB Lindley Stars for San Diego State
San Diego State is averaging 26.2 points and only 345 yards per game. But the Aztecs feature a productive passing attack led by quarterback Ryan Lindleey.
The sophomore has completed 55.8 percent of his passes for 2,142 yards and 20 touchdowns. He's been intercepted 10 times.
Top receiver Vincent Brown (45 catches, 778 yards, 6 TDs) has been sidelined by a thumb injury. But the Aztecs have other solid targets like DeMarco Sampson (44 receptions, 595 yards, 7 TDs), Roberto Wallace (21 catches, 262 yards) and tight end Alston Umulolo (3 TD receptions).
The Aztecs running game, however, ranks 119th of 120 teams in FBS, mustering only 66.5 yards per game. Brandon Sullivan (314 yards) is the leading rusher.
Linebacker Milling Leads San Diego State Defense
The Aztecs are giving up 26.9 points and 349.9 yards per game. The defensive unit is anchored by senior linebacker Jerry Milling, who's posted team highs of 53 tackles and 5.5 tackles for loss.
Linebacker Miles Burrris ranks second with 36 tackles and five tackles for loss, and defensive back Nick Sandford has 34 tackles and a pair of interceptions. Another DB, Martrell Fantroy, has been sidelined by an ankle injury, but is fourth on the team with 33 stops.
Other key players include linebacker Luke Laolagi (30 tackles, 2 interceptions), and defensive linemen B.J. Williams (4.5 tackles for loss, 2 sacks) and Jacob Tauanuu (5 tackles for loss, 2 sacks).
Horned Frogs Scoring 5 TDs Per Game
TCU is best known for its defense, but the offense has been holding up its end quite well. The Horned Frogs are 11th in the FBS in scoring offense (35.2 points per game) and 12th in total offense (447 yards per game).
QB Andy Dalton is sixth in the FBS in passing efficiency (158.36). The junior has connected on 63.1 percent of his passes for 1,642 yards and 14 touchdowns. He's been intercepted only three times.
Dalton spreads the ball out well, relying on the likes of Jeremy Kerley (27 receptions, 310 yards), Bart Johnson (22 catches, 287 yards) and Jimmy Young (20 catches, 324, 3 TDs).
Joseph Turner spearheads the ground game with 499 yards and eight TDs. Freshman Ed Wesley has added considerable backfield punch, rushing for 384 yards and two touchdowns, and catching a trio of TD passes.
TCU Defense Dominant
The Horned Frogs defense has been remarkably stingy. TCU is third in the FBS in scoring defense (11.1 points per game), eighth in rushing defense (89.4 yards), sixth in passing defense (146.4 yards) and tied for eighth in sacks (3.13 per game).
All-American defensive end Jerry Hughes has nine of the team's 26 sacks. He has 40 tackles overall — including 10.5 for losses.
Daryl Washington has been a force at linebacker, with a team-high 62 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, two sacks and two interceptions. Linebacker Tank Carder has 49 tackles, a pair of sacks and eight pass breakups.
The unit also features safety Alex Ibiloye (41 tackles), defensive end Wayne Daniels (5.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks), defensive tackle Cory Grant (5.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks) and safety Tejay Johnson (39 tackles).
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