Texas A&M: Kyle Allen Starts Over Kyler Murray

Aggies name Kyle Allen as starting QB. Photo credit: TAMU

Former Allen quarterback and three-time Texas state champion Kyler Murray will have a brand new football experience his first year at Texas A&M. For the first time he will be the second QB on the depth chart.

Aggies head coach Kevin Sumlin announces that sophomore Kyle Allen will start the season. That does not necessarily mean that Murray will not see the field this season however.

Allen took the reigns of the Aggie offseason late last year after the flame-out of the highly touted Kenny Hill. He would lead the team to a Liberty Bowl victory earning MVP honors in the process.

Playing both QBs equally does not seem likely for Sumlin or offensive coordinator Jack Spavital. But A&M will rely on Murray's big play ability if needed to spur the offense into gear. He may be small in statue, but he makes up for it with his speed and raw talent.

Allen was one of the top quarterback recruits in the country when he committed in Arizona, adding to a list of top quarterbacks under Sumlin's tenure. Murray also has a professional baseball option if the position becomes too much of a bottleneck.

The Aggies kickoff the season against Arizona State at NRG Stadium in Houston September 5th.

FULL COVERAGE: 2011 COTTON BOWL - VIDEOS

2011 AT&T COTTON BOWL POST GAME: RF SPORTS RADIO

CYRUS GRAY INTERVIEW

JORDAN JEFFERSON INTERVIEW

LSU POST GAME PRESS CONFERENCE

2011 AT&T Cotton Bowl (3rd Quarter Report) 35-17

  LSU opens up with more of the same. Jordan Jefferson beats the Aggie defense with his feet for a 35yd scamper. Follows that up with a another TD pass to Toliver, his 3rd. Jefferson making an early case for MOP.

  QB Tennehill fails to see another rushing LSU LB and takes a big sack to give the ball back to a hot Tiger offense.
 
  Aggie defense holds up. LSU misses a FG. 35-17

  Only 7pts scored in the 3rd, lowest quarter in the game so far.

2011 AT&T Cotton Bowl (2nd Quarter Report) 28-17

  Aggies start off the quarter missing a long FG try hitting the bottom post. LSU Tigers answer back, running the ball well. QB Jefferson is starting to see the running lanes the Aggie defense is allowing. He rushes for a TD on QB bootlegg after a Les Myles challenge to put the Tigers up 14-10.

  Cyrus Gray, who is having a big night rushing, throws a TD on a halfback pass to Nwachukwu, his second of the game. 14-17

  Les Myles and the LSU coaching staff is starting to push the running plays on a lethargic linebacker core of the Aggies. Von Miller has only 3 tackles in the first half. Spencer Ware, LSU RB, gets the Tigers in the red zone. Newly eligible running back Stevan Ridley takes a counter sweep 17yds for another LSU TD. Tiger fans can thank the NCAA for that one. 21-17

  Tennenhill throws his first pick on a miscommunication with WR Frederick, giving the ball back to LSU.

  Tennenhill threw another on their next position giving the Tigers the ball back right before the 2 minute mark. Jefferson uses his legs again to get the Tigers to the 2yd line and hits Toliver for his second TD. Jefferson had only 4 passing TDs all year and has 2 tonight. 28-17

  Both offenses are moving the ball well on the ground and air, but both defenses are not getting key stops. Its gonna come down to which defense tightens up in the second half.

2011 AT&T Cotton Bowl (1st Quarter Report) 10-7

  Things started off well for the Aggies with a big return on the opening kickoff by Judie. The short field earned them the first score of the game, a 17yd pass to Nwachukwu. QB Tennehill was 3-3 on the opening drive. LSU's first possession was a 3 and out, until a roughing the punter call gave them a new life. After moving the ball a bit, Jefferson threw the first turnover. A one-handed pick by Judie.
  Aggies took over on the 1yd line. Cyrus Gray drives the Aggies down to a FG to go up 10-0. He has 50yds on 7 carries for the first quarter.
  LSU would finally answer back with a long 42yd TD throw by Jefferson to Toliver. A great finger tip grab by Tolliver splitting two Aggie defenders. 10-7