Today’s U: TCU’s KaVontae Turpin should thrive in Shaun Nixon’s absence
With Big 12 expansion and Baylor being the primary targets of Big 12 Media Days — so much so that TCU head coach Gary Patterson was asked about events in Waco — other headlines had a hard time reaching the surface. Patterson shrugged off the loaded Baylor question like a pro, saying his problem remains TCU and not his most bitter rival.
Last season his problem was how to keep his Horned Frogs competitive in the face of so many injuries. Over half the defense was injured at some point, as were playmakers on offense. Things don’t seem to be easing up in Fort Worth, either: Patterson revealed that running back Shaun Nixon would miss the entire 2016 season.
Nixon, who ran for only 66 yards on 16 carries last season, was expected to play a backup role to Kyle Hicks, the team’s returning leading rusher. Yet, his role stretched far beyond a typical running back, and would be better defined as a receiver: His 501 receiving yards are the second-highest total for any returning TCU pass catcher.
http://www.todaysu.com/big-12/tcu-horned-frogs/tcus-kavontae-turpin-thrive-shaun-nixons-absence/