7 of Trevone Boykin's top Heisman moments so far this season
You never know when Trevone Boykin is going to do it again.
Whether it's running roughshod over Kansas State or setting all-time passing records versus Texas -- or even getting an opposing coach from West Virginia to give him some dap after scrambling through his defense like a skier on a slalom course -- it's only a matter of time before TCU's star quarterback makes another jaw-dropping play. The 6-foot-2 quarterback from the North Dallas suburbs is averaging 431 total yards per game and has scored a combined 34 touchdowns in just eight games.
With those kinds of numbers, Boykin's a leading candidate for the 2015 Heisman Trophy, and he'll have a chance to add to his resume this weekend as the Horned Frogs take on the Oklahoma State Cowboys (3:30 p.m ET Saturday, on FOX)
The Cowboys' defense allowed 53 points and 659 yards of offense against Texas Tech, so there's a good chance Boykin may give us his next must-see moment.
Here are his top seven such moments so far this season:
NO. 7: BOYKIN FINDS A WAY TO WIN UGLY (Sept. 3)
Why it mattered: College football teams don't benefit from playing preseason games like they do in the NFL, and the TCU Horned Frogs looked rusty in their first game of the season versus Minnesota. After an erratic start, Boykin threw for 246 yards and a touchdown and ran for 92 yards and another score. This would prove to be the worst performance thus far in Boykin's 2015 campaign, but kudos to the quarterback for finding a way to win.
NO. 6: BOYKIN'S TIPPED TD PASS TOPPLES TEXAS TECH (Sept. 26)
Why it mattered: We’re probably not writing this article if Boykin doesn’t fire a slightly errant pass into tight coverage to a stretched-out Josh Doctson, who had the ball tip off his hands and land in the grasp of Aaron Green -- who was just hustling and following the play. Boykin’s four touchdown passes and 527 total offensive yards wouldn’t have mattered if his teammates weren’t hustling just as much as he were. It takes a team effort to win a Big 12 Championship and a Heisman Trophy, and the Horned Frogs are loaded across the board.
NO. 5: THE TEXAS MASSACRE (Oct. 3)
Why it mattered: In a game where Boykin threw for 332 yards and didn’t bother to play in the fourth quarter, the signal-caller from Dallas logged five touchdowns and tallied his 74th TD pass, three more than current Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton had from 2007-10. Oh, and in the 50-7 win, the Frogs put the wood on Texas in a way that makes some question whether the Longhorns will ever be top dogs again in the Lone Star State.
NO. 4: BOYKIN'S 69-YARD TD RUN VS. KANSAS STATE (Oct. 10)
Why it mattered: TCU’s path to a national championship was almost derailed by the always plucky Kansas State Wildcats, as the Frogs found themselves down 35-17 at the half. Fortunately for TCU, Boykin’s poise shined brightest as the Horned Frogs outscored The Fighting Bill Snyders 35-10 in the second half to secure a 52-45 victory. Boykin finished with 301 passing yards and two touchdowns in the air, along with 124 rushing yards and two touchdowns on the ground. Oh, and he made Gus Johnson lose his mind on the play-by-play.
NO. 3: BOYKIN FRONT-FLIPS INTO OUR HEARTS (Oct. 29)
Why it mattered: There are many Heisman Trophy candidates who've flipped their way to the Downtown Athletic Club. From Sam Bradford’s cartwheel flip versus Oklahoma State to Michael Vick’s freshman flip versus James Madison, flipping into the end zone seems to add style points to the Heisman resume. Boykin’s version was smooth and electric versus West Virginia.
NO. 2: THE TRIFECTA: PUMP FAKE, PIROUETTE AND DASH (Sept. 19)
Why it mattered: In a game where TCU's offense rolled up 720 yards on 71 plays, the biggest play was when the Horned Frogs’ quarterback channeled former TCU legends Sammy Baugh and LaDainian Tomlinson versus SMU. Boykin’s 20-yard scramble touchdown was the cherry on top of a Saturday sundae that included 454 passing yards and five touchdown passes.
NO. 1: BOYKIN GETS A HIGH-FIVE FROM DANA HOLGORSEN (Oct. 29)
Why it mattered: Sometimes you just have to pay homage to someone who’s the best at what he does. In TCU’s 40-10 victory over West Virginia, Boykin amassed 388 yards passing with three touchdowns, all while becoming the Horned Frogs’ career leader in total offense. Even the opposing coach recognized Boykin's greatness.
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