Abilene Christian University (ACU) head coach Keith Patterson, assistant coach Conor Dubin and defensive lineman Sam Mason Jr. were injured in a bus accident last Saturday, the university announced on Monday. Patterson and Mason were released from the hospital after a medical examination, while Dubin, the linebackers coach, was not released until Monday. The accident occurred at around 11:30 p.m. on Saturday, shortly after ACU’s game against Texas Tech, just outside the Texas Tech campus. According to police reports, a man ignored traffic signals and collided with the team’s bus. The impact pushed the bus into another vehicle, the university further explained. In addition to Patterson, Dubin and Mason, the bus driver, Darryl Kelley, was also injured and taken to the University Medical Center in Lubbock. Patterson returned to Abilene on Sunday after being examined for pain in his hip and leg. Mason was released after being examined for a head injury, while Dubin remained in the hospital until Monday morning with a suspected concussion. His MRI results were normal, the university announced. Kelley was also able to leave the hospital after possible rib fractures were ruled out. In a statement, the university expressed gratitude to the medical staff at University Medical Center, Lubbock police officers, firefighters and first responders, and the Texas Tech athletic department for their support. It also thanked the ACU family and others who have prayed for the team and those affected during this difficult time. According to reports from KTAB, 19-year-old Parker Young was arrested for driving under the influence and is currently in the Lubbock County Jail. Finally, Texas Tech won Saturday’s game with a narrow 52-51 victory after stopping a 2-point attempt by ACU in overtime.
