SAN DIEGO — No. 11 TCU will be without its second-leading tackler when it faces No. 9 Boise State in the Poinsettia Bowl Tuesday as senior linebacker Robert Henson did not make the trip to San Diego because of academics.
Redshirt freshman Tekerrein Cuba, a backup at weak safety, also didn’t travel to San Diego because his knee injury suffered during bowl preparations will require surgery. Redshirt freshman Greg McCoy, a backup cornerback, will miss the game with an injury although he did make the trip.
Henson, who earned first-team All-Mountain West Conference honors, had 73 tackles, nine tackles for loss, one sack, two interceptions and a forced fumble this season. But what the Horned Frogs might miss more than anything is his emotion and leadership.
With Henson gone, junior Daryl Washington will start and redshirt freshman Kris Gardner will be the backup. Washington was fourth on the team with 57 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, an interception, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery this season.
“Daryl Washington gives you the speed to run with their backs and everything else they do,” TCU coach Gary Patterson said. “We don’t lose any ground on that part.”
-- Mercedes Mayer
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