Texas A&M reportedly installing new turf at Kyle Field after pieces came up against Rice
Texas A&M will have a second new field to replace its first new field.
The turf at Kyle Field was replaced before the season began. But almost five inches of rain fell on the field in a 24-hour period before the Aggies' game against Rice in week three. The rain meant the playing surface was coming up in large chunks at times and A&M staff members would run out on the field between plays and replace the divots.
Because the divoting was so severe, the Bryan-College Station Eagle reports there will be a different grass surface installed at Kyle Field before Texas A&M's next home game on October 11 against Ole Miss.
“After the game, the chancellor asked the staff and the Kyle Field redevelopment committee to look at options,” Steve Moore, A&M System vice chancellor of marketing and communications said. “He wanted to know how to provide the best competitive playing surface we could going to forward and that’s what led to this process and the decisions that have been made.”
Carolina Green’s sod, which is being shipped in on 24 refrigerated trucks, has a much thicker sod base than the grass that was installed in early August, meaning it will take less time for it to take a firm hold at Kyle Field. The next game is Oct. 11 when A&M plays Mississippi. They will begin installing the field the week of Sept. 29.
Following the game, Texas A&M's athletic director said the field did not cause any injuries. Texas A&M WR Speedy Noil injured his knee against Rice and will miss the SMU game.
The new field was part of improvements and renovations to Kyle Field that were done before the 2014 season. Moore said that if it wasn't for the significant amount of rain in such a short time-frame, there likely would have been no issues with the field.
For more Texas A&M news, visit AggieYell.com.
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Nick Bromberg is the assistant editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at nickbromberg@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!
