TCU’s offense is still finding its footing through the first stretch of fall camp, and offensive coordinator Gordon Sammis isn’t sounding the alarm.
The Horned Frogs had a messy Thursday session, one day after drops created the biggest headache. This time, turnovers took center stage.
TCU gave the ball away three times, including an interception by Teon Parks in one-on-ones when he tipped a pass off the receiver and hauled in the loose ball. Gil Jackson added another standout takeaway, breaking up a would-be touchdown, tracking down the receiver and ripping the ball free.
Cornerback Devondre McGee also forced a turnover during team drills against the third-team offense.
For Sammis, the rough edges are part of the process. TCU is still installing new plays while sorting out new pieces at key spots, and he said the offense is exactly where he expected it to be this early.
“It’s early, a lot to clean up. Quite frankly I’d be shocked if we didn’t have a lot to clean up,” Sammis said Thursday.
“I love the fact we didn’t turn the ball over yesterday. We put the ball on the ground too many times today and the ball in jeopardy, that’s how you lose.
It’s just too up and down for my taste.”
Receiver play has been one of the main areas Sammis wants sharpened. Sonny Dykes made a similar point in Wednesday’s news conference, and the issue has carried over into Thursday with more drops and a defense that has been more physical in disrupting routes. Sammis said the secondary’s improved depth and talent is part of that challenge, but he also made clear he wants more from a receiver group that flashed in the spring.
“We have to do a better job of making the 50-50 ball plays,” Sammis said. “We had one today that was pretty elite by Jordan (Dwyer). But we need to see that happen more, and we’re going to work our butts off to do that.”
There were still a few encouraging signs. True freshman quarterback Jack Daulton connected well with fellow freshman Ace Theus on back-to-back plays for solid gains, and Dane Jones and Jacobe Hayes continued to stand out in individual work and 7-on-7.
Sammis has also liked what he’s seen from the running back room, which is finally healthy after spring camp featured only three bodies. Jeremy Payne and Jon Denman are leading that group, and Denman has especially caught Sammis’ attention after missing the spring with an injury.
“It’s been great, there’s a lot of talent in that room, which I’m excited about,” Sammis said. “It’s great to have Jon Denman as well, just to get him in the scheme. I’ve heard a lot of good things, I watched him on tape, and I’m excited to coach him.”
Up front, Sammis said the offensive line has given him a positive early impression, though he’s holding off on a full evaluation until the pads come on. He said the number he wants to reach in the rotation is eight.
“I think that we’ll get there, time will tell,” Sammis said. “We really haven’t put pads on yet.
We’ve got only one run scheme in currently. So we’ll see when the pieces start moving.
Just from what I see physically and things like that, I think we’ll get to that number of eight.”
Sammis said about 50% of the offense is installed right now, and he expects TCU to have enough in place by practice No. 5 on Monday to get through a real game.
The build is still gradual, and the mistakes have been obvious, but Sammis said he believes the Horned Frogs will be ready by the time they meet North Carolina in Dublin, Ireland, on Aug. 29.
“We’ve got to clean things up assignment-wise, but we’ve just gotta keep pushing when it gets hard to challenge ourselves to be our best when our best is required,” Sammis said.
TCU returns to practice Friday morning.
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