TCU punter Adam Nunez earned the Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Week award for his part in limiting the Mountaineers to a field goal in the first half of the Horned Frog’s 31-24 victory over the Mountaineers Saturday.
Nunez placed four of his five first-half punts inside the Mountaineers’ 6-yard line. Field position was key for the Horned Frogs in holding off West Virginia, who entered the game second in the nation in scoring at 48.8 points per game, to just three first-half points and 24 total.
“It was awesome,” TCU head coach Gary Patterson said. “If you look at the percentages for when they start inside their 10-yard line, it’s not very good.”
TCU’s punter averaged 43.0 yards on seven punts, including a season-long 51-yard blast. West Virginia had two punt returns for no yards. For the season, Nunez has placed seven punts inside the 20 with no touchbacks.
“He had some big punts, pinning them back there,” TCU cornerback Ranthony Texada said. “It lowers the percentage of the offense being able to get scores, so that really helps us a lot with our defense.”
No. 6 TCU returns to action Saturday, Oct. 14 in Manhattan, Kansas where they will face Kansas State. Kickoff is set for 11 a.m.