TCU Reflects on 15-10 Season-Opening Loss to North Carolina
TCU entered its season opener in Dublin believing it was prepared for North Carolina. Saturday’s 15-10 loss, however, left the Horned Frogs with several plays and decisions to revisit.
The preparation itself was not something head coach Sonny Dykes questioned. Once the game began, though, TCU struggled to execute.
“I thought our guys really prepared well coming into this game,” Dykes said. “I thought our guys were ready to play and when we got in those situations, for whatever reason, we just didn’t make routine plays.”
Part of that fell on new starting quarterback Jaden Craig, who acknowledged afterward that he believed he could have done more in his first start.
“I feel like there may have been some opportunities,” Craig said. “In the passing game, just stepping up in the pocket and taking off, I think would have gotten us out of some situations.”
Rain fell at Aviva Stadium during Craig’s debut, but the quarterback did not point to the conditions as an explanation for his performance.
“No, I think it’s football at the end of the day,” Craig said. “I just have to play better.”
North Carolina also adjusted its approach as the game progressed. Craig said he saw the Tar Heels play more shell coverage and keep the ball in front of them, while Dykes noticed North Carolina’s defensive front creating more problems against TCU’s running game.
“Early in the game, we gashed them some on the wide zone,” Dykes said. “It just seemed like they were getting more penetration and playing across guys’ faces.”
The Horned Frogs also faced several fourth-down decisions as the game unfolded. TCU converted just one of five attempts, including two that Dykes later acknowledged he would have handled differently.
“Looking back now, obviously I wish we would have kicked the two field goals,” Dykes said. “But at the time, it made sense to try. Both of those are makeable. … When you’re not moving the football, you’ve got to try to get the ball in the end zone and score a touchdown, and we’ve got to do a better job of doing that.”
