FBS Notes: Sumlin draws ire of regent member


Sep 3, 2017; Pasadena, CA, USA; Texas A&M Aggies head coach Kevin Sumlin reacts during a NCAA football game against the UCLA Bruins at Rose Bowl. Photo Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 3, 2017; Pasadena, CA, USA; Texas A&M Aggies head coach Kevin Sumlin reacts during a NCAA football game against the UCLA Bruins at Rose Bowl. Photo Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Texas A&M coach Kevin Sumlin has faced criticism for late-season implosions, but blowing a 34-point lead and losing to UCLA on Sunday might have been the final straw for a school regent.

Houston attorney Tony Buzbee wrote a lengthy Facebook post after the Aggies blew a 34-point lead and lost 45-44 in the Rose Bowl on Sunday night on a fake spike play by Bruins quarterback Josh Rosen.

On Facebook, Buzbee wrote: “I’m sure I may be criticized for this post but I honestly don’t care. I’ve been on the Board of Regents for the A&M System for almost seven years. During that time, I’ve not once commented on Kevin Sumlin and his performance during his tenure at our school. I never said a word when he and his agent manipulated a much bigger and longer contract. I said nothing about his arrogance and his mishandling of multiple player controversies. I said nothing when we had multiple awesome recruiting classes, only to see key players leave our school or underperform.
“But tonight I am very disappointed and I have to say this. Kevin Sumlin was out-coached tonight, which isn’t new. He recruits well, but can’t coach the big games, or the close games. Our players were better tonight. Our players were more talented tonight. But our coaches were dominated on national TV, yet again. I’m only one vote on the Board of Regents but when the time comes my vote will be that Kevin Sumlin needs to GO.”

–Florida State coach coach Jimbo Fisher confirmed that quarterback Deondre Francois suffered a torn patellar tendon in Saturday night’s loss to top-ranked Alabama and announced that freshman James Blackman will take Francois’ place.

Fisher said Francois will undergo surgery Tuesday on his left knee to repair the damage.

The redshirt sophomore was tackled from behind in the final minutes of No. 3 Florida State’s 24-7 loss to Alabama in Atlanta. Francois was helped off the field and take to the locker room for evaluation, and the news was not good for the Seminoles.

Francois was 19-of-33 passing for 210 yards, a touchdown, and two interceptions against Alabama. Fisher estimated a four- to seven-month recovery time with the possibility of Francois “doing drills and such in spring ball, when he wouldn’t get hit anyway.”

–Oklahoma cornerback Jordan Parker will miss the rest of the season with a knee injury, coach Lincoln Riley announced.

Parker was injured on a special teams play when he was blocking during a punt return early in Saturday’s 56-7 win over UTEP. He was unable to put any weight on his leg after the punt and was helped off the field by teammates.
The sophomore started eight games for the Sooners last season. In 10 games overall, he totaled 36 tackles and one fumble recovery. He was considered to be a key part of the team’s secondary despite losing the preseason competition to Parnell Motley.

Last spring, Parker missed most of Oklahoma’s spring practice with a foot injury. The Sooners will travel to play Ohio State on Saturday night.

–Georgia coach Kirby Smart confirmed that quarterback Jacob Eason will miss this Saturday’s game against Notre Dame with a sprained knee ligament.

Smart said there is not a set timetable for Eason’s return. He also said the sophomore will not require surgery.

“We expect a full recovery this season,” Smart told reporters. “Jacob will be week to week from this point forward. We don’t know how long it’s going to be.”

Freshman Jake Fromm will make his first start at Notre Dame. He completed 10 of 15 passes for 143 yards and a touchdown in the season opener. Eason was injured on the second play of Georgia’s third drive in Saturday’s season-opening 31-10 win over Appalachian State. He was injured on a late hit while scrambling out of bounds and finished the game 1 of 3 for 4 yards.

–The season is over after one game for two Alabama outside linebackers.

Terrell Lewis and Christian Miller suffered serious injuries during No. 1 Alabama’s opening 24-7 victory over No. 3 Florida State on Saturday night in Atlanta.

Alabama coach Nick Saban confirmed that Lewis, a sophomore, sustained an elbow injury and Miller, a junior, has a torn biceps. Surgery is planned for both players.

Lewis finished with five tackles and Miller finished with three tackles in the season opener. The latest injuries left the Crimson Tide relatively thin at linebacker heading into Saturday’s home game against Fresno State. Rashaan Evans (groin) and Anfernee Jennings (sprained ankle) also are slowed by injuries and listed as questionable this week by Saban.