QB Controversy At A&M

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Two months after it appeared quarterback Kenny Hill was following in the footsteps of predecessor Johnny Manziel at Texas A&M, the quarterback competition was reopened last week after a string of losses.

Hill made a splash in the season opener against South Carolina, but after the Aggies were drubbed 59-0 by Alabama two weeks ago for their third consecutive loss, coach Kevin Sumlin decided to give freshman Kyle Allen a chance to compete for the job during a bye week.

Hill started the Aggies’ first eight games.

“We opened it back up,” A&M offensive coordinator Jake Spavital said. “It’s still wide open. … By Thursday, we’ll probably have a declared starter and they’ll take all the reps for that Thursday practice.”

Sumlin would not say Tuesday which way he’s leaning.

“Both have gotten reps over the last week and both will continue to get reps,” Sumlin said.

Hill threw for a school-record 511 yards and three touchdowns in Texas A&M’s opening 52-28 win over South Carolina on Aug. 28. He went on to average 349 passing yards and throw for 17 touchdowns with just two interceptions in his first five starts.

In the three losses, Hill has six touchdown passes and thrown six interceptions.

Allen has played in four games this year and has

completed 23 of 38 passes for 264 yards and three touchdowns with two interceptions.

“Change for change’s sake is impractical,” Sumlin said. “What you have to do is be able to have a reason for change. Is that reason your ability to be efficient and prove to people that you can handle what’s going on or disprove that you’re ready to play in those situations?

“Credibility amongst the players and amongst the coaching staff is at a premium, particularly right now with where we are.”

Texas A&M plays Louisiana-Monroe in a nonconference game on Saturday.