Colorado State Parts With Tyson Summers; McClendon to Call Defense

Colorado State coach Jim Mora took defensive play-calling duties from Tyson Summers during the Rams’ October 3 loss to Oregon State and confirmed after the game that Summers was no longer with the program, according to Colorado State’s postgame account. Kenny McClendon will be the primary defensive play-caller, Mora said in remarks reported by The Rocky Mountain Collegian.

That gives the Rams a new voice calling the defense for their next scheduled game, October 15 at Texas State. The change follows a 56–26 defeat in which Oregon State gained 727 yards and made 37 first downs on 71 plays.

What changed during the game

Oregon State scored on its first two possessions before Mora relieved Summers of play-calling duties, Colorado State said. Summers then left the field. Mora’s postgame confirmation establishes that Summers had departed the program, but the account does not pinpoint when the personnel decision was made. The documented in-game move was the change in play-calling.

McClendon’s reported assignment answers the immediate question of who will direct the defense. It does not, by itself, establish a new formal appointment to Summers’ coordinator position. Colorado State has a bye before its October 15 game at Texas State, the next scheduled outing for its defense under McClendon’s play-calling.