Following a bar fight that led to TCU quarterback Trevone Boykin allegedly striking a police officer, TCU has suspended its starting quarterback for the Alamo Bowl against Oregon. Wide receiver Preston Miller has also been suspended for the game. Both players have suspended under the vague terms of violations of team rules, although you can connect the dots for Boykin’s suspension.
“Trevone Boykin and Preston Miller have been suspended for Saturday’s game due to a violation of team rules, " a statement from TCU head coach Gary Patterson said Thursday morning. “We are disappointed in their actions and apologize to the TCU Horned Frogs Nation, Valero Alamo Bowl and city of San Antonio.”
Boykin was arrested early Thursday morning in San Antonio after striking a bicycle patrol officer following a bar fight. According to reports, Boykin was being harassed by patrons who recognized him at a bar when things got heated and Boykin struck a patron at the bar. Boykin and his friends were forced to leave the establishment, but trouble continued outside the bar. A police officer on a bicycle wrestled Boykin to the ground after Boykin allegedly attempted to swing at multiple officers on the scene. Boykin was charged for assaulting a police officer, resisting arrest and public intoxication. The suspension from the game brings an unceremonious end to the college career of Boykin, a senior, and could have a negative impact on his draft stock heading into the draft cycle. Basically, this could not have happened at a worst time for Boykin.
Boykin was a preseason Heisman Trophy candidate according to many, although injuries and losses in conference play took him out of the running despite a season with 3,575 passing yards and 31 touchdowns to go along with 612 rushing yards. Boykin helped lead a renewed TCU offense to a share of the Big 12 title in 2014, passing for 3,901 yards and 33 touchdowns with just 10 interceptions and 707 rushing yards and eight rushing touchdowns. Miller has appeared in four games this season, in which he has one catch for six yards.
TCU is scheduled to play Oregon in the Alamo Bowl on Saturday, January 2. Oregon was a slight one-point favorite, and that line should grow more in favor of the Ducks.