In the days leading up to the 2016 Alamo Bowl, the Emerald will take a unit-by-unit look at Oregon and TCU, determining which team has the edge going into the showdown on Jan. 2 in San Antonio. Today, we’ll look at each team’s tight ends.
Oregon
Evan Baylis, who’s pulled in 15 catches for 199 yards this season, as well as a 52-yard touchdown against USC, will start at tight end for the Ducks. At 6-foot-6, 250 pounds, Baylis hasn’t caught more than two passes in a game this season, but has consistently drawn attention from opposing secondaries.
Johnny Mundt will back up Baylis, although he hasn’t caught a pass since Oct. 3 at Colorado. Mundt fell short of his expectations this season with just five catches for 39 yards and an 11-yard touchdown against Georgia State. He flashed his potential two years ago with a 121-yard, two-touchdown performance against Tennessee as a freshman.
Mundt’s blocking has improved tremendously from previous seasons and helped Oregon rush for a 6.06-yard average and the fifth-most yards in the FBS.
“We’ve just got to move the guys off the ball and open holes for the running backs, because if we can run the ball we can throw ball,” Mundt said.
TCU
TCU has a young group of unproven tight ends. Entering the season, the four tight ends on its roster — Buck Jones, Dominic Merka, Bryson Burtnett, and Cole Novak — hadn’t recorded a single reception, and they hardly emerged in the Frogs’ passing game over the course of the season. Merka was the only one to log a reception; he totaled four for 54 yards and one touchdown.
The real weapon in TCU’s aerial attack is wide receiver Josh Doctson, who was declared out for the Alamo Bowl due to a wrist injury he suffered on Nov. 7 at Oklahoma State. In his 10 games this season, Doctson caught 79 passes for 1,327 yards and 14 touchdowns.
Head coach Gary Patterson said Doctson’s injury “means everybody gets playing time.” In his absence, quarterback Trevone Boykin will lean on wide receivers Kolby Listenbee, KaVontae Turpin and Shaun Nixon, who combined for 107 catches for 1,612 yards and 14 touchdowns. Listenbee is a senior and Turpin and Nixon are freshmen.
Advantage: Oregon
Oregon’s tight end corps has more experience and a more proven track record, blocking for the fifth-best rushing offense in the country. TCU’s tight ends have not emerged as threats through the air but could see increased targets given Docton’s injury.
Dec. 26: Offensive line preview
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Alamo Bowl position previews: Tight ends
Kenny Jacoby
December 26, 2015
Oregon Ducks tight end Evan Baylis (81) gets around USC Trojans cornerback Adoree’ Jackson (2). The No. 23 Oregon Ducks face the No. 22 USC Trojans at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore. on Nov. 21, 2015. (Adam Eberhardt/Emerald)
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