TCU cornerback Jason Verrett did what seemed to be impossible. He absolutely shut down explosive Baylor wide receiver Antwan Goodley, limiting him to one reception for 12 yards Saturday in a 41-38 loss to the Bears.
Goodley came into the game averaging 119 receiving yards per game and 20.5 yards per catch, but was flustered continuously by the 5-foot-10, 176-pound senior. Goodley simply could not shake loose from Verrett's aggressive coverage, which helped the Horned Frogs limit quarterback Bryce Petty to just 206 passing yards.
Petty completed 19-of-38 throws with two touchdowns and one interception. The redshirt junior was also sacked three times, one a coverage sack directly resulting from Verrett's coverage of Goodley on a slant.
Verrett added two pass breakups, giving him a Big 12-best 14 this season, along with one tackle.
Asked about Verrett's defense on Goodley, the ever-honest and acerbic TCU coach Gary Patterson replied, "They tried flipping him to the other side of the field, and for a team that doesn't have many players, I don't know why you have to worry about that."
While there will be concerns about Verrett's height until he is measured at the NFL Scouting Combine next February in Indianapolis, there can be no denying his proven production on the field after shutting down top receivers from LSU, Texas Tech, Oklahoma State and now Baylor.
NFL Media senior analyst Gil Brandt agrees, listing Verrett at No. 15 on his Hot 100 list of the top seniors in college football.
Follow Dan Greenspan on Twitter @DanGreenspan.
