FORT WORTH — Gary Patterson could have, if he wanted, swatted the question into the back row in the team meeting room where he holds his weekly press conferences.
Are all these close losses frustrating, he was asked?
No, quite enjoyable, he could have said and everybody would have understood and braced for a gust of sarcasm.
Instead, the TCU coach took the question seriously.
His answer proved illuminating. It provided context and perspective not only on what is presently a 5-6 season going into Friday’s season finale against West Virginia but also illuminated the thinking on what happens after, whether it’s a bowl game or prepping for spring football.
No, the close losses do not mean frustration.
“It means we’re close,” Patterson said. “Means we haven’t made enough plays. It means that you have enough ability to be close, but we’re either screwing things up or we’re not making the right calls or we’re not right there yet to make those plays.”
The statement applies to the SMU game, the Kansas State game, the Oklahoma State game. Most maddeningly, also to the Baylor and Oklahoma games.
Six points and a questionable replay interpretation to Baylor. Four points and a questionable replay interpretation to Oklahoma.
Boy, were the Frogs ever close to tilting the conference on its ear.
“Two of the ballgames, two of the better teams as far as record-wise in the league, Baylor and Oklahoma and the way we’ve been able to play at a high level — we just have to find a way in the offseason to get a couple more players, make a couple more plays, and stay healthy,” Patterson said. “If there’s anything that I spend a lot of time now looking at is how you stay healthy. The size of the guys, the way the schedules are, I think it all plays a big part in what we’re trying to get accomplished.”
For the near term, what TCU is trying to get accomplished is extending the year into bowl season. With as much youth as the Frogs put on the field this year, an extra game will only help.
Besides, it’ll probably be fun. And there are sure to be snacks.
“It’s hard as a coach, motivation,” Patterson said. “Really, the Texas Tech win was a big win for us. Gave me an opportunity to know you could win one of the last two. Kids played really hard. Played really good at the end against Oklahoma. Had a chance to win, and so now we need to finish.”
Team-wide, the lesson is being applied, especially at the top — at quarterback. Max Duggan has been at the forefront of every pivotal moment for the Frogs, from his tackle-busting touchdown at Kansas State to his sizzling “Go Frogs” TD against Texas to his desperate heaves at Oklahoma State to his tightrope sideline escape against Baylor to his fourth-quarter cool at Texas Tech to his bulldozer push to the end zone against Oklahoma.
His 1,933 yards passing are the most by a freshman under Patterson. He has led TCU in rushing in three consecutive games.
Now comes a chance to become the quarterback of a Power Five bowl team.
“A freshman, everything, every time you play, it’s a new experience,” Patterson said. “You’re going to see the highs and lows of everything that you have. Obviously the way he played with his feet against Oklahoma was good. How he played in the passing game, probably not as good. West Virginia is very physical. You’re going to have to be able to throw the football to move the football. So we’ve got some work to do.”
That’s normal. That’s football. Not frustrating at all.