Dalton's Assault on the TCU Record Book

As the Frogs go through their first few days of practice, Andy Dalton's focus is no doubt on replicating the team's regular season success of a year ago, and then hopefully coupling it with a win in a BCS Bowl.

But as sincere as he may be in his team-first attitude (and I do think he is genuine in that regard), the fans will be keeping an eye on the individual records and milestones he's on the verge of reaching. For instance, we know that he's already passed Max Knake to become TCU's all-time leading passer. But if he reaches 2,543 yards in his senior season (a feat that sounds pretty reasonable given the returning help he'll have at receiver and on the offensive line), he'll reach 10,000 for his career.

He also needs just 6 touchdown passes to reach 50 for his career. If...no...WHEN he reaches that milestone, he'll also be breaking Knake's school record for career touchdown passes. He'll break Knake's school records for career attempts and completions with his 15th attempt and his 20th completed pass, respectively. Both of those records are in danger of falling in game #1 against Oregon State.

While Dalton is no Michael Vick (he actually saves dogs' lives), he definitely makes defenses worry about him beating them with his legs in addition to his arm. He doesn't rack up huge amounts of yards, but he definitely has a nose for the first-down chains...and the goal line. With just 4 rushing touchdowns this year, he'll reach 20 for his career. To put that in perspective, that's exactly how many rushing touchdowns that both Aaron Brown and Robert Merrill had in their very successful careers at TCU.

Of course, individual records won't mean anything to Dalton unless the team achieves their collective goals. And before you can reach 13 wins, you've got to win #1. With that first victory, though, Dalton will claim the most impressive individual record of them all by breaking a tie with Sammy Baugh to become the school's all-time winningest quarterback.