Sonny Dykes calls TCU RB Kendre Miller 'questionable' for national championship vs Georgia

TCU running back Kendre Miller is questionable for the national championship against Georgia, according to head coach Sonny Dykes. Miller hurt his knee against Michigan in the Fiesta Bowl.

“We’re hopeful to get Kendre back. … As the week progresses, we’ll know a little bit more,” Dykes said, via Sam Kahn Jr.

Miller had just eight carries in the win over Michigan, gaining 57 yards (7.1 yards per carry). This season, Miller had a career year, running 224 times for 1,399 yards, 17 touchdowns, 6.2 yards per carry, 16 catches and 116 receiving yards.

Shortly after his injury, the ESPN broadcast team gave a quick update on the injury, explaining that it looked like a right knee injury.

“I wanted to give you an injury update on running back Kendre Miller,” ESPN’s Tiffany Blackmon said during the game. “It appears he has injured his right knee. I watched him get on the bike and step off of it. He’s grimacing in pain, but he keeps telling his teammates and members of the athletic staff that he’s good.”

The injury wasn’t severe enough to derail Miller’s night completely, as he came out with TCU on the field for the second half with a noticeable limp and sleeve over his right leg. Despite the injury, Miller toughed it out for his teammates and kept contributing to the rushing attack.

As a member of the Class of 2020, Miller was a three-star prospect out of Mount Enterprise (Texas) High, according to the On3 Consensus. He was the No. 175 overall prospect in the state, the No. 53 athlete in the class and the No. 1,400 overall prospect in the class.

The Horned Frogs played impressive on the defensive side of the ball in their 51-45 victory. TCU forced three turnovers, including two pick-sixes in the game. On top of that, TCU did a solid job for most of the game, limiting Michigan’s vaunted running game. 

Although the game did get off the rails late, and the Wolverines were able to try and keep pace with the Horned Frogs, TCU did enough work early to take the lead and never relinquish it.

“They’ve done it all year,” Dykes said. “These guys did an incredible job stopping the run. I think all week, we heard about Big Ten football and how they’re going to line up and run over us. And defensively, they made some plays. But we did a great job stopping with the run and forced them to do some things they probably weren’t comfortable doing. So, couldn’t be more proud of the defense. I thought they played incredibly hard, just like we expected them to.”

“I’m anxious to go watch it right now; see who we’re gonna get to play. But, like I said, just can’t say nothing about these guys and how thankful we are to be here.”