Sumlin suspends two A&M players

Kevin Sumlin, the new Texas A&M coach, has wasted no time as a disciplinarian, suspending two starters for the first game of the season.

Junior linebacker Steven Jenkins and defensive back Howard Matthews  were each given a one game ban for violating team policy.

What they did is not quite clear.

Matthews had 28 tackles and two sacks in his first season for the Aggies, while Jenkins had 61 tackles and 1 sacks in 2011.

One A&M fan tweeted: “Well, that was quick. Two difference makers on the defense out for a game. I would say Sumlin has sent a message.”

BOTTOM LINE: Texas A&M had one of the Big XII’s worst defenses last year (which was saying something) and this news – if only for one game – won’t make their start to life in the SEC any easier. Jenkins is going to be a big miss at linebacker,  where he is expected to start, while Matthews is expected to start at safety.