By Wendell Barnhouse
Big12Sports.com Correspondent
The University of Houston, running what was then a new-fangled Veer offense, hit the century mark in a 100-6 victory over Tulsa in 1968. The Cougars made another run at triple digits 21 years later, swamping an out-manned SMU team, 95-21.
In the 21st century, seven teams have scored 80 or more. TCU became the most recent (and the third Big 12 team) when it blasted Texas Tech, 82-27 Saturday.
Explosive offenses producing high scores has been the trend. But what are the chances of a team reaching triple digits?
“I don’t think so,” said West Virginia coach Dana Holgorsen, who evaluated TCU’s 82-27 win over Texas Tech in preparation for Saturday’s matchup. “I mean, 82 is awful high. There’s things that have to exist on all three sides of the ball to hit a number that is that high.”
TCU removed its starters after the third quarter and entered the final quarter with 68 points. The Frogs’ reserves scored two touchdowns. There were no accusations that coach Gary Patterson was running up the score to improve his team’s national perception.
“It’s one of those games you can’t explain, but you know that you wish it wouldn’t have happened the way it did,” Patterson said this week. “A little bit of it had to do because of the flow of the first quarter, how it started so fast. It had a tendency to get to that point, one way or the other. … I’ve always been a guy that’s run the ball out, run the clock out.”
Three of TCU’s possessions ended with field goals and two with punts. The Frogs forced four turnovers.
A number of factors would have to occur for a team to reach 100.
A coaching staff could ignore sportsmanship and have its starters chase triple digits (most likely against an FCS team). The risk of injury and bad publicity outweighs reach 100.
A shootout leading to overtime. That 100 would include an asterisk.
Special teams and defensive touchdowns. Had TCU returned a punt or a kickoff for a touchdown and reached the end zone on a turnover – along with converting one of their three field goal drives with touchdowns, 100 would have been possible.
Patterson, who runs TCU’s defense and who came up through the ranks as a defensive coordinator, is baffled by this week’s hot topic of the hot 100.
“I don’t know if I’ve ever had those kind of conversations with anybody in my 33 years of college coaching,” he said. “It’s the first time I’ve really been on this end of it. ... It’s a crazy game. You always need to wait. That’s why I’ve never been one of those guys who breathes easy until the last tick is off the clock.
“And I think it’s only going to get worse in college football because everybody is getting bigger, they’re getting faster, they’re getting stronger.”
Fireworks On, Off Field
TCU’s school-record 82 points against Texas Tech caused a unique problem.
At Amon G. Carter Stadium, touchdowns are celebrated with fireworks - or, in the more modern nomenclature, pyrotechnics. No matter the definition, the ammunition ran out as the Horned Frogs kept lighting up the scoreboard.
Drew Martin, TCU’s assistant athletic director for marketing and licensing, posted this Tweet in the second half:
“My guy radioed me after we hit 68 and said ‘I only have enough for one more touchdown this season.’ Then we scored two.”
That’s right, TCU’s new offense has scored so many points halfway through the season that the season’s supply of boom and bang ran out.
On Sunday, Martin posted this Tweet: “Placing a replenishment order Monday.”
Injury Updates
* Texas freshman kickoff returner/wide receiver Roderick Bernard tore his ACL at Kansas State and is out for the year. His kickoff return near the end of regulation influenced the coaching staff to try and move into position for the game-winning field goal that defeated Iowa State. Also, right guard Kent Perkins injured his knee Saturday and if he can’t play against Texas Tech, the Longhorns will be missing four of the five linemen who were projected as starters to begin the season.
* Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops said that quarterback Trevor Knight practiced last week. Knight’s right shoulder was in a sling after the Sooners’ loss to Kansas State. Stoops also said that he expected running back Keith Ford to practice Monday. Ford suffered a slight fracture to his right leg against Tennessee on Sept. 13 and hasn’t played since.
* Iowa State expects wide receiver Jarvis West to play Saturday against Oklahoma. West, who also is a dangerous punt returner, has been in and out of the last six games because of minor injuries. "He's a guy that brings a lot of speed and a lot of quickness to our offense, so it'll be great to have him back and up and moving and everything else," Iowa State wide receiver D'Vario Montgomery said.
* Kansas running back/wide receiver Tony Pierson has recovered from a neck injury he suffered two weeks ago against Texas Tech. He was hurt after just two plays and is expected to play against Baylor Saturday.
* Texas Tech sophomore quarterback Davis Webb suffered a left ankle injury in the second half of Saturday’s game with TCU. He left the field on crutches and coach Kliff Kingsbury said this week his status is “day to day.” Freshman Patrick Mahomes would get the start against Texas Saturday if Webb is unavailable.
* TCU wide receiver Josh Doctson also was injured in the second half of Saturday’s game. Coach Gary Patterson said that Docston would make the trip to West Virginia and that it’s expected he’ll be able to play. Senior backup quarterback Matt Joeckel, who transferred from Texas A&M, will miss the rest of the season after suffering a knee injury.
Quick Kicks
* Over the last 10 quarters, opposing quarterbacks are completing just 48.1 percent (51 of 106) of their passes against West Virginia’s defense. TCU quarterback Trevone Boykin is completing 58.7 percent.
* The last three seasons after Oklahoma lost its second game, the Sooners played Iowa State and won - 26-6 in 2011, 35-20 in 2012 and 48-10 last season.
* Berry Tramel of The Oklahoman calculates Big 12 offensive and defensive efficiency ratings each week. This week, his top offensive team is TCU and his No. 1 defensive team is West Virginia – two teams who just happened to be scheduled to play Saturday in Morgantown.
End Quote
TCU running back on quarterback Trevone Boykin being a candidate for the Heisman Trophy: "Boykin for Heisman, why not? I know we're TCU. We're not a USC or Auburn or one of those schools that just brings all the glamour but why not. Just look at the turnaround from the offense last year."