Hackett Wary of Fired-Up ‘Frogs

Texas Christian is a 16-point underdog against USC, but the Horned Frogs are giddy about being in a bowl game a year after a 1-10 season.

“No doubt, this is one of the more excited bowl teams, if not the most excited, in the country,” said USC Coach Paul Hackett, who gave his team Thursday and today off before the Trojans leave for El Paso on Saturday morning.

“They went from 1-10 to 6-5 and a chance to play in a bowl game. We face a little bit of a scary opponent in a team that’s enthusiastic and emotional about playing in this bowl and the opportunity to play against us,” Hackett said.

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Reversing another trend is an even bigger challenge for the Horned Frogs: TCU hasn’t won a bowl game since a 1957 victory over Syracuse in the Cotton Bowl, and is winless in its last five bowl appearances.

TCU has some glory days in its football past, but the Horned Frogs’ bowl record is only 4-9-1, and three of the victories came in the 1930s--in the 1936 Sugar Bowl, the 1937 Cotton Bowl and the 1939 Sugar Bowl.

Since the 1957 victory, TCU is 0-4-1 in bowls, most recently losing to Virginia, 20-10, in the 1994 Independence Bowl.

USC is making its first bowl appearance in three seasons, but the Trojans are known for having one of the nation’s best bowl records at 25-13.

Only Alabama, with 28 victories going into Tuesday’s Music City Bowl against Virginia Tech, has won more bowl games.

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TCU’s defense is one of its strengths, and linebacker Joseph Phipps is the reason why.

He has 153 tackles, the fifth-highest total in TCU history, five sacks and four interceptions, and has blocked three kicks and recovered three fumbles.

“It looks like he makes every play,” USC offensive coordinator Hue Jackson said. “He’s a good football player.”

Next Up for USC

What: Sun Bowl TCU (6-5) vs. USC (8-4)

Where: El Paso

When: Dec. 31

Time: 11 a.m.

TV: Channel 2

Radio: XTRA (690)