The Texas A&M starting quarterback job is officially up for grabs between current No. 1 Kyle Allen, true freshman Kyler Murray and sophomore Jake Hubenak.
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Looking for consistency across the board at quarterback.
“You better be ready to play”, Spavital said. The dual-threat quarterback, who was the No. 1-ranked dual-threat quarterback recruit in the 2015 ESPN 300, has completed 54.8 percent of his passes (17 of 31) for 167 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions while rushing for 92 yards on 18 carries this season.
What Spavital really needs to put behind him is an eight-quarter stretch that has seen A&M score only one offensive touchdown while surrendering three TDs to opposing defenders during season-defining games against Alabama and Ole Miss.
The quarterbacks were told “you are going to be evaluated not only on your practice percentage in drills and everything else, but you’re also going to be evaluated on your leadership skills, your communication with your teammates, your communication with your coaching staff and general overall play and demeanor”, Sumlin said. But without confidence it’s hard to play quarterback. You kind of want a guy to play himself out of it, but it wasn’t happening and we made the change.
Allen was 12 of 34 for only 88 yards with an interception.
“Kyle was fine”, Spavital said, “there was nothing wrong with him”. Not qualities of execution.
“‘We’re looking to cut down on turnovers”. Hubenak took over for Allen late in Saturday’s game and was 6 of 11 for 46 yards. Murray saw spot duty in five of the first six games this year.
“It begins with me”, Spavital said. “Thought he did great job for us at Ole Miss”. Murray did not play.
Sumlin, without revealing details, also talked about an incident on the sideline involving Murray.
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“Hopefully this is a learning experience for him”, Sumlin added. Since that time…he has come back has practiced and is doing the right things. That’s why he was part of discussion (Monday) in this competition. Kyler Murray is going to be given every opportunity to steal away Allen’s job. Murray also threw an interception.
