TCU running back Kendre Miller is questionable for College Football Playoff national title game vs. Georgia
TCU running back Kendre Miller will not start in the College Football Playoff national championship game against Georgia, the team announced.
Emari Demercado was listed as the starter at running back before the game. Miller was seen in uniform, but was not fully taking part in the team's pre-game drills and was wearing a heavy brace on his right knee.
Multiple media reports also contend that Miller will not play in the game for TCU, bringing an end to the player's excellent 2022 outing. His production was key to TCU making the national championship game in the first place.
Miller left the Fiesta Bowl semifinal against Michigan in the third quarter with a lower body injury and did not return to the game.
Miller carried the ball eight times for 57 yards in the Horned Frogs' 51-45 win over the Wolverines before his injury.
Where things stand with Kendre Miller
”We’ll warm him up and see how he feels and if he feels good we’ll give it a go and see how he does,” TCU head coach Sonny Dykes said before the game.
“I love Kendre and what he’s meant to our program. We just want to make sure he’s healthy and can go full speed.”
How important he is to TCU
Miller has been one of the most productive singular players for the TCU offense this season and has been key to the team's run to the College Football Playoff.
Miller ran for 1,399 yards and scored 17 touchdowns on the ground while eclipsing 100 yards rushing in seven games this season. Averaging 6.2 yards per carry, Miller performed slightly better in the second half of games.
Where else does TCU go?
In the event that Miller can't play, the Horned Frogs would turn primarily to Demercado. He stepped in for the starter in the Fiesta Bowl, running 17 times for 150 yards with one touchdown.
He had 14 carries in the second half for 125 yards, much of it on a single 69-yard carry.
Emani Bailey ran 29 times for 241 yards and two touchdowns this season and when at Louisiana a year ago, racked up 642 yards and eight touchdowns.
College Football Playoff National Championship
Georgia and TCU will meet for the national championship on Mon., Jan. 9 at 7:30 p.m. Eastern on the main ESPN network.
More: Georgia vs. TCU national championship schedule
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