Texas A&M's Hill suspended for 2 games

Published Nov. 1, 2014 11:57 a.m. ET

foxsports

COLLEGE STATION, Texas (AP) Texas A&M suspended quarterback Kenny Hill for two games for violating team rules and athletic department policies on Saturday.

The announcement was made less than an hour before the Aggies (6-3, 2-3 Southeastern Conference) hosted Louisiana-Monroe on Saturday morning. They beat the Warhawks 21-16 to snap a three-game skid.

Coach Kevin Sumlin wouldn't provide details on why Hill was suspended, but said he informed the quarterback and his family of the decision on Friday night.

''We try to hold players to certain standards, and if you don't meet those standards there are consequences and unfortunately this is one of those times,'' Sumlin said.

Hill started the first eight games for the Aggies, but coaches split first-team snaps between Hill and freshman Kyle Allen in practice and said the starting job was wide open this week. Offensive coordinator Jake Spavital said after the game that Allen won the starting job this week before Hill's suspension.

Hill beat out Allen in fall camp and got off to a great start, throwing for a school-record 511 yards in the season opener and helping the Aggies to a 5-0 start. The sophomore's 2,649 yards passing lead the Southeastern Conference and are sixth in the nation, but he had seven turnovers in his last three games combined and Texas A&M has fallen out of The Associated Press Top 25.

Hill's teammates were disappointed to learn of his suspension.

''It hurts because you want to see a person like that succeed,'' senior receiver Malcome Kennedy said. ''But things happen. I'm pretty sure he'll let that adversity grow him as a man and I'm pretty sure when he comes back he'll be ready to go.''

This is Hill's second suspension after serving one after an arrest in March. According to an arrest report, he was picked up on a public intoxication charge in a College Station bar district and gave police a fake name. Sumlin reinstated him before camp and allowed him to compete with Allen for the starting spot.

Sumlin was asked what Hill needs to do to regain his standing with the team.

''I think people don't think that there (are) other things outside of game time,'' Sumlin said. ''Game time is what you see. There are other things that he's got to satisfy and until he does that - when that's done, will talk about that then.''

Sumlin declined to specify what those things are.