Jon Sumrall Loses It on the Sideline en route to Second Sun Belt Title
While you were locked into the SEC Championship Game, former Kentucky Wildcat Jon Sumrall was letting all of his emotions out on the Troy sideline during the Sun Belt Conference Championship Game.
Hosting the Sun Belt title for the second straight season, Troy held onto a narrow lead over Appalachian State in the third quarter. Chaos ensued after a missed call.
Unfortunately, there is no footage online of the missed call. Quarterback Gunnar Watson apparently had his facemask pulled, but the whistle was not blown. It sent Jon Sumrall into a tirade that nearly sent his get-back coach into the injury tent.
“That’s a FACEMASK!” he screamed as he ran onto the field. He had to be restrained multiple times and at one point yelled at his assistant, “GET OFF ME!”
Sumrall was not flagged for giving officials the business, but the Troy drive did stall soon after the tirade. Fortunately, that was the last time App. State slowed down the Trojans.
Troy scored a touchdown on their next possession, then a scoop-and-score started a second half barrage. The Mountaineers were outscored 28-6 in the second half as Troy claimed its second straight Sun Belt title with a 49-23 win. Running back Kimani Vidal had 233 yards and five touchdowns, the most ever by an FBS player in a conference championship game.
Jon Sumrall spent three years as an assistant at his alma mater in Lexington before taking the head coaching gig at Troy. In his third game the Trojans lost on a Hail Mary to App. State. He drew from his experience as a player in the Bluegrass Miracle to inspire his team to respond. Troy is 22-2 since that loss and last night’s vengeance gives the program its second straight Sun Belt title.
After celebrating the victory in the middle of confetti, Sumrall poked fun at his sideline tirade. He’s nominating Jamaal Smith, his get-back coach, for the Heisman Trophy.
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