FORT WORTH, Texas — TCU quarterback Max Duggan found himself in an unfamiliar position when the Horned Frogs opened the 2022 season against Colorado: on the bench. After 29 starts and throwing for nearly 6,000 career yards, Duggan lost the job to Chandler Morris in the offseason and was pushed to second string.
Duggan could have entered the busiest quarterback transfer market ever and immediately found a Power Five starting job. Even during the season, it’s becoming popular to step away from the team, utilize a redshirt season and enter the transfer portal. Had Duggan chosen that path, he could have had two years of eligibility remaining at a new school.
TCU coach Sonny Dykes has dealt with competitive quarterback battles dating from his time at SMU all the way back to tight battles on Mike Leach’s Texas Tech staff. When an incumbent loses the starting job, the writing is on the wall. Usually, he has to have conversations with the backup to improve their body language or gauge if he will have a scholarship to fill. It can become a distraction.
“Well, none of that happened,” Dykes said.
When Morris suffered a sprained knee against the Buffaloes, Duggan was ready. And since being slotted back into the starting lineup, he has responded with the best football of his career – by far – to lead TCU to an unexpected 5-0 start for the first time since 2017. The Frogs sit atop the Big 12 and appear to have their best shot at a conference title since their co-championship with Baylor in 2014.
“He never blinks,” a visibly emotional Dykes told reporters after TCU beat rival SMU on Sept. 24 for the first time in Duggan’s career. “He never had a bad practice. He never thought of himself one time. How many people can you say that about in your life? I mean truly, how many people that you know?
“You can say it about Max Duggan, that’s for sure.”
Confident, elevated play
Through five games, Duggan has unequivocally been one of the best quarterbacks in the country and a borderline Heisman Trophy contender. The senior has thrown for at least 300 yards and three touchdowns in three of his past four games. In the past two, he has rediscovered his rushing game with 171 yards and three touchdowns on more than 12 yards per carry.
Duggan ranks No. 2 nationally in yards per pass attempt and passer rating behind only behind Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud. His 73.2% completion…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at CBSSports.com Headlines…