TCU quarterback Casey Pachall has left school and entered a drug and alcohol treatment facility on Tuesday, the school announced today. Pachall was suspended for this past Saturday's game after being arrested for DWI last Wednesday night, and the no. 15 Horned Frogs were upset 37-24 by Iowa State in Fort Worth, ending their 12 game winning streak.
In addition to the DWI arrest last week, Pachall failed a drug test earlier this year. TCU coach Gary Patteson said that the treatment program typically lasts between 30 and 60 days, and that Pachall has the opportunity to re-enroll at the school in January after finishing his treatment.
This is a huge blow to TCU's hopes at contending this year, but that seems secondary to Pachall's overall health and well-being. With Pachall no longer with the team, redshirt freshman Trevone Boykin becomes the full-time starter for the Horned Frogs. Boykin started on Saturday against Iowa State, and went 23/40 with 270 yards, one touchdown, and three interceptions against the Cyclones. It might not be fair to draw conclusions about Boykin after that start considering that senior running back Matthew Tucker dind't play for TCU, and that true freshman BJ Catalon got the start at running back. Being matched up against a stout Iowa State defense didn't help matters either.
Boykin's second start might come a little easier, with TCU taking on a Baylor team that allowed 70 points and 807 yards of offense to West Virginia two weekends ago. Points will absolutely not be at a premium in that matchup.
