# 2018 TCU Horned Frogs football team

The 2018 TCU Horned Frogs football team represented Texas Christian University in the 2018 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The 123rd TCU football team played as a member of the Big 12 Conference and played their home games at Amon G. Carter Stadium, on the TCU campus in Fort Worth, Texas. They were led by 18th-year head coach Gary Patterson. They finished the season 7–6, 4–5 in Big 12 play to finish in a tie for fifth place. They were invited to the Cheez-It Bowl where they defeated California.

## Recruiting
### Position key

| Back | B | Center | C | Cornerback | CB | Defensive back | DB |
| Defensive end | DE | Defensive lineman | DL | Defensive tackle | DT | End | E |
| Fullback | FB | Guard | G | Halfback | HB | Kicker | K |
| Kickoff returner | KR | Offensive tackle | OT | Offensive lineman | OL | Linebacker | LB |
| Long snapper | LS | Punter | P | Punt returner | PR | Quarterback | QB |
| Running back | RB | Safety | S | Tight end | TE | Wide receiver | WR |

### Recruits

The Horned Frogs signed a total of 22 recruits.
US college sports recruiting information for 2018 recruits :
| Name | Hometown | High school / college | Height | Weight | Commit date |
| Ochaun Mathis DE | Manor, TX | Manor High School | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) | 235 lb (107 kg) | Jan 29, 2017 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: |||||||
| Esteban Avila OG | Grand Prairie, TX | South Grand Prairie High School | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | 308 lb (140 kg) | Mar 7, 2017 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: |||||||
| Atanza Vongor S | Grand Prairie, TX | South Grand Prairie High School | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 200 lb (91 kg) | Mar 11, 2017 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: |||||||
| Trevon Moehrig CB | Spring Branch, TX | Smithson Valley High School | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | 190 lb (86 kg) | Apr 12, 2017 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: |||||||
| John Lanz C | Denton, TX | Guyer High School | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 295 lb (134 kg) | May 5, 2017 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: |||||||
| Justin Rogers QB | Bossier City, LA | Parkway High School | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | 210 lb (95 kg) | May 31, 2017 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: |||||||
| Hidari Ceasar S | Richwood, LA | Richwood High School | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | 175 lb (79 kg) | Jun 7, 2017 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: |||||||
| John Stephens WR | Logansport, LA | Logansport High School | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | 206 lb (93 kg) | Jun 15, 2017 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: |||||||
| Chase Van Wagoner WR | Allen, TX | Lovejoy High School | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 180 lb (82 kg) | Jun 17, 2017 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: |||||||
| Kris Dike OT | Van, TX | Van High School | 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) | 290 lb (130 kg) | Jun 17, 2017 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: |||||||
| Ben Wilson LB | Sumner, WA | Sumner High School | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | 220 lb (100 kg) | Jun 23, 2017 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: |||||||
| Anthony McKinney OT | Rockford, IL | Iowa Western Community College | 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) | 330 lb (150 kg) | Jul 13, 2017 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: |||||||
| Derius Davis CB | St. Francisville, LA | West Feliciana High School | 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) | 160 lb (73 kg) | Jul 28, 2017 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: |||||||
| Taye Barber WR | Cypress, TX | Cy Springs High School | 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) | 185 lb (84 kg) | Jul 30, 2017 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: |||||||
| Tevailance Hunt WR | Texarkana, TX | Texas High School | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | 185 lb (84 kg) | Aug 4, 2017 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: |||||||
| Bryson Jackson WR | Houston, TX | Kingwood Park High School | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | 182 lb (83 kg) | Sep 15, 2017 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: |||||||
| Ian Burnette OG | Wimberley, TX | Wimberley High School | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | 295 lb (134 kg) | Oct 1, 2017 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: |||||||
| Pro Wells TE | St. Petersburg, FL | Northwest Mississippi Community College | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | 235 lb (107 kg) | Dec 3, 2017 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: |||||||
| Fabian Franklin RB | Hattiesburg, MS | Hattiesburg High School | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | 207 lb (94 kg) | Dec 11, 2017 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: |||||||
| Izaih Filikitonga DE | Euless, TX | Trinity High School | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | 270 lb (120 kg) | Jan 20, 2018 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: |||||||
| Jacoby Simpson LB | Houston, TX | MacArthur High School | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | 225 lb (102 kg) | Feb 5, 2018 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: |||||||
| Ar'Darius Washington CB | Shreveport, LA | Evangel Christian Academy | 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) | 175 lb (79 kg) | Feb 6, 2018 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: |||||||
| Overall recruiting rankings: |||||||
| Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight. In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale. Sources: "TCU Football Commitments". Rivals.com. Retrieved February 11, 2018. "2018 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved February 11, 2018. |||||||

## Preseason
### Award watch lists

Listed in the order that they were released
| Award | Player | Position | Year |
| Lott Trophy | Ty Summers | LB | SR |
| Chuck Bednarik Award | Ben Banogu | DE | SR |
| Chuck Bednarik Award | Ty Summers | LB | SR |
| Maxwell Award | Darius Anderson | RB | JR |
| Doak Walker Award | Darius Anderson | RB | JR |
| Butkus Award | Ty Summers | LB | SR |
| Bronko Nagurski Trophy | Ben Banogu | DE | SR |
| Ray Guy Award | Adam Nunez | P | JR |
| Paul Hornung Award | KaVontae Turpin | WR | SR |
| Wuerffel Trophy | Ben Banogu | DE | SR |
| Walter Camp Award | Ben Banogu | DE | SR |
| Walter Camp Award | Darius Anderson | RB | JR |
| Ted Hendricks Award | Ben Banogu | DE | SR |
| Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award | Darius Anderson | RB | JR |
| Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award | Jalen Reagor | WR | SO |

### Big 12 media poll

The Big 12 media poll was released on July 12, 2018 with the Horned Frogs predicted to finish in third place.
Media poll :
| Predicted finish | Team | Votes (1st place) |
| 1 | Oklahoma | 509 (46) |
| 2 | West Virginia | 432 (2) |
| 3 | TCU | 390 (1) |
| 4 | Texas | 370 (1) |
| 5 | Oklahoma State | 300 |
| 6 | Kansas State | 283 (2) |
| 7 | Iowa State | 250 |
| 8 | Texas Tech | 149 |
| 9 | Baylor | 125 |
| 10 | Kansas | 52 |

## Schedule

| Date | Time | Opponent | Rank | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
| September 1 | 11:00 a.m. | Southern* | No. 16 | Amon G. Carter StadiumFort Worth, TX | FSN | W 55–7 | 42,219 |
| September 7 | 7:00 p.m. | at SMU* | No. 16 | Gerald J. Ford StadiumUniversity Park, TX (98th Battle for the Iron Skillet) | ESPN2 | W 42–12 | 24,216 |
| September 15 | 7:00 p.m. | vs. No. 4 Ohio State* | No. 15 | AT&T StadiumArlington, TX (Advocare Cowboys Showdown; College GameDay) | ABC | L 28–40 | 64,362 |
| September 22 | 3:30 p.m. | at Texas | No. 17 | Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial StadiumAustin, TX (rivalry) | FOX | L 16–31 | 100,321 |
| September 29 | 6:00 p.m. | Iowa State | | Amon G. Carter StadiumFort Worth, TX | ESPNU | W 17–14 | 42,664 |
| October 11 | 6:30 p.m. | Texas Tech | | Amon G. Carter StadiumFort Worth, TX (61st West Texas Championship) | ESPN | L 14–17 | 44,387 |
| October 20 | 11:00 a.m. | No. 9 Oklahoma | | Amon G. Carter StadiumFort Worth, TX | ABC | L 27–52 | 45,055 |
| October 27 | 2:00 p.m. | at Kansas | | David Booth Kansas Memorial StadiumLawrence, KS | FS1 | L 26–27 | 15,069 |
| November 3 | 2:30 p.m. | Kansas State | | Amon G. Carter StadiumFort Worth, TX | FS1 | W 14–13 | 40,486 |
| November 10 | 11:00 a.m. | at No. 7 West Virginia | | Mountaineer FieldMorgantown, WV | FS1 | L 10–47 | 60,007 |
| November 17 | 11:00 a.m. | at Baylor | | McLane StadiumWaco, TX (114th Revivalry) | FS1 | W 16–9 | 45,140 |
| November 24 | 7:00 p.m. | Oklahoma State | | Amon G. Carter StadiumFort Worth, TX | FOX | W 31–24 | 42,394 |
| December 26 | 8:00 p.m. | vs. California* | | Chase FieldPhoenix, AZ (Cheez-It Bowl) | ESPN | W 10–7 $^{OT}$ | 33,121 |
| *Non-conference gameRankings from AP Poll released prior to the gameAll times are in Central time ||||||||
Schedule Source:

## Game summaries
### Southern

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Jaguars | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| No. 16 Horned Frogs | 17 | 21 | 17 | 0 | 55 |

### At SMU

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| No. 16 Horned Frogs | 0 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 42 |
| Mustangs | 9 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 12 |

### Vs. Ohio State

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| No. 4 Buckeyes | 10 | 3 | 20 | 7 | 40 |
| No. 15 Horned Frogs | 7 | 7 | 14 | 0 | 28 |

### At Texas

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| No. 17 Horned Frogs | 6 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 16 |
| Longhorns | 7 | 3 | 14 | 7 | 31 |

### Iowa State

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Cyclones | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 14 |
| Horned Frogs | 0 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 17 |

### Texas Tech

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Red Raiders | 3 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 17 |
| Horned Frogs | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 14 |

### Oklahoma

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| No. 9 Sooners | 14 | 14 | 10 | 14 | 52 |
| Horned Frogs | 7 | 17 | 3 | 0 | 27 |

### At Kansas

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Horned Frogs | 0 | 10 | 7 | 9 | 26 |
| Jayhawks | 7 | 0 | 10 | 10 | 27 |

### Kansas State

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Wildcats | 7 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 13 |
| Horned Frogs | 7 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 14 |
When the two Big 12 conference teams that both wear purple got together for the 2018 matchup, Kansas State lost quarterback Skylar Thompson to an injury in the first quarter and the Wildcats wen to backup Alex Delton. Kansas State kept the game close but missed a PAT leaving the score 14-13 in favor of TCU. "Of course I feel horrible for him," Snyder said. "He's one of the young guys. He didn't lose the ballgame for us. There were a bunch of us that made mistakes that contributed." With the loss, K-State was left in a position to win the last three games in order to be eligible for post-season bowl games.

### At West Virginia

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Horned Frogs | 3 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 10 |
| Mountaineers | 0 | 24 | 16 | 7 | 47 |

### At Baylor

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Horned Frogs | 3 | 6 | 7 | 0 | 16 |
| Bears | 6 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 9 |

### Oklahoma State

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Cowboys | 3 | 0 | 7 | 14 | 24 |
| Horned Frogs | 0 | 7 | 17 | 7 | 31 |

### Vs. California–Cheez-It Bowl

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | OT | Total |
| Golden Bears | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| Horned Frogs | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 3 | 10 |

## Statistics
### Scoring
#### Scores against non-conference opponents

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Opponents | 19 | 13 | 20 | 7 | 59 |
| TCU | 24 | 42 | 45 | 14 | 125 |

#### Scores against the Big 12

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Opponents | 7 | 3 | 14 | 7 | 31 |
| TCU | 6 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 16 |

#### Scores against all opponents

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Opponents | 16 | 16 | 34 | 14 | 80 |
| TCU | 30 | 49 | 48 | 14 | 141 |

## Rankings

Ranking movements Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking — = Not ranked RV = Received votes :
| | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week |
| Poll | Pre | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | Final |
| AP | 16 | 16 | 15 | 17 | RV | RV | RV | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Coaches | 16 | 16 | 14 | 17 | RV | RV | RV | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| CFP | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | — | — | — | — | — | — | Not released |

## Honors and awards
### Preseason awards

* Ben Banogu (DL)
       Preseason Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year
       Preseason All-Big 12
* KaVontae Turpin (WR/KR/PR)
       Preseason All-Big 12 (Return Specialist)

## Players drafted into the NFL

| Round | Pick | Player | Position | NFL Club |
| 1 | 29 | L. J. Collier | DE | Seattle Seahawks |
| 2 | 49 | Ben Banogu | OLB | Indianapolis Colts |
| 7 | 226 | Ty Summers | LB | Green Bay Packers |