After suffering a heartbreaking 61-58 loss at the hands of Baylor last week, the Horned Frogs will look to make amends for their stunning collapse in Waco. On Saturday, they welcome the Oklahoma State Cowboys to Fort Worth for this year’s homecoming game. Here are three players to watch for both teams this weekend.
Oklahoma State
Daxx Garman, Quarterback, Junior
When it was announced that starting quarterback J.W. Walsh would undergo surgery on his foot after only the second game against Missouri State, many Cowboys fans feared the worst for the 2014 season. However, despite the injury to such a key player, junior quarterback Daxx Garman has stepped up and led OSU to five consecutive wins as they continue to climb the national rankings. He is averaging 272 yards per game through the air and has thrown for 10 touchdowns and five interceptions. If Oklahoma State has any hope of winning the Big 12, Garman will have to be spectacular for the remainder of the season
Tyreek Hill, Wide Receiver/Kick Returner, Junior
In a tight game against Kansas last week, a 99-yard kickoff return for a touchdown from the speedy Tyreek Hill made the difference and ultimately served as the winning touchdown in the game. A two-sport athlete at OSU in football and track, Hill’s speed could trouble the Frogs on defense and special teams. With 18 catches for 183 yards at receiver and an average of 28 yards per return on special teams, TCU will have to come up with a way to neutralize Hill and keep him out of the end zone.
Josh Furman, Linebacker, Senior
After failing to establish himself as a starter at the University of Michigan, senior transfer Josh Furman has made quite the impression at Oklahoma State in his first season of Big 12 football. With a total of 34 tackles and five sacks through six games, Furman is leading by example for many of the younger players on the roster. Tied for second in total sacks in the Big 12, look for Furman to contain Trevone Boykin and prevent him from making big gains on the ground.
TCU
Davion Pierson, Defensive Tackle, Junior
For the first three quarters of last weekend’s game, the TCU defensive line had effectively neutralized the potent Baylor running game led by Shock Linwood. The fourth quarter was another story, however, and Linwood was able to rack up a total of 178 yards on the ground and extend drives. This weekend, Davion Pierson and the TCU defense will look to put together a complete game and stop the Cowboys for all four quarters by effectively shutting down the run game.
Kevin White, Cornerback, Senior
Baylor quarterback Bryce Petty took advantage of a poor display from the TCU secondary last weekend, throwing for 510 yards and six touchdowns, earning himself Big 12 Player of the Week honors. The deep ball continues to trouble the Frogs, and the secondary seems prone to allowing big plays through the air. Kevin White and the rest of the secondary will have to step up this weekend and prove their mettle against a fairly average OSU passing game. TCU cannot afford to give up as many points against OSU as they did against Baylor if they have any hope of coming away with a win.
Josh Doctson, Wide Receiver, Junior
As the Frogs’ receptions leader in the first five games of 2014, Josh Doctson has established himself as one of the most reliable and consistent wideouts in the Big 12. With 24 catches for 272 yards and three touchdowns this season, Doctson is a threat for any opposing defenses. In a revamped TCU offense, Doctson is among the veterans leading the way into a new era of Horned Frog football. Look for Doctson to continue his fast start against OSU on Saturday.
