The Texas A&M Aggies came into the first week of the College Football season ranked sixth in the nation. The Aggies come into the season with pretty high expectations, especially because of their powerhouse offense. Despite losing four-year starter Kellen Mond at quarterback, Texas A&M is still a team to beat with redshirt freshman Haynes King under center. Much of their expectations come from their electric backfield consisting of Isaiah Spiller, Ainias Smith, and Devon Achane. However, the talent doesn’t stop in the backfield. A&M has one of the best tight ends in the country in Jalen Wydermyer returning, as well as veteran receiver Caleb Chapman.
Texas A&M vs. Kent State ended up being the perfect match up for a team debuting a new quarterback. Haynes King got the chance to show what he can do against a lesser caliber team. So how did he do and what do the Aggies have to look forward to?
Haynes King Manning The Throne
When looking at their week one game, you can’t start anywhere besides the debut of Haynes King. King had moments where he shined and others that caused heads to shake. The redshirt freshman had three interceptions on the day. A stat that is extra concerning considering A&M threw four interceptions all of last season. His decision making should be a priority in Aggies practices. In an SEC game one turnover can make all the difference, and King will need to tighten up to ensure the Aggies can stay in these highly-contested battles.
However, take those three throws away and the quarterback had a pretty decent first showing. He threw for nearly 300 yards with two touchdowns. He also rushed for 22 yards and displayed his ability to extend a play which again drew comparisons to Johnny Manziel.
King benefitted from a slew of offensive weapons and connected with Ainias Smith eight times for 100 yards and a two touchdowns. He was also clearly happy to have Caleb Chapman back who he targeted four times for 91 yards. Keep your eyes on how he responds to a more talented Colorado team this Saturday and if he can avoid turning the ball over.
O’Neal Causes “Oh No’s”
While turnovers were part of A&M’s offenses story, they were also part of the story on defense. A&M took the ball away two times, both from a Leon O’Neal Jr. interception. Both of O’neal’s INT’s came at times it felt the Aggies needed it the most.
Late in the first half it looked like Kent State was going to potentially tie the game at 10 going into halftime. However, O’Neal stopped that intercepting the pass from Dustin Crum in the endzone for an Aggie touchback. The Aggies preserved their 10-3 lead through halftime, and then the second half was another story.
After holding A&M to a field goal on their first drive the Golden Flashes got the ball back down 13-3. That’s when the second Leon O’Neal Jr. interception came and around the same time the Aggies pulled away. Dustin Crum led Kent State all the way down to the Aggie 22-yard line where again O’Neal picked off his pass, however, this time the safety took the ball 85 yards and to the house.
O’Neal is one of the name that highlights the returning starters for the Aggie defense and without his two plays it may have been a different story in College Station.
Spiller & Achane
Texas A&M can really go at opponents in so many ways out of the backfield. Ainias Smith and Isaiah Spiller already proved that last season. However, late last season Devon Achane inserted his name in that mix. The speedster impressed and is now becoming a premier back for an already stacked Aggie offense. Achane led the Aggies with 124 yards on 12 carries and 2 touchdowns. Achane added to the impressive day Isaiah Spiller had 113 yards on 17 carries.
The stats show just how dangerous the Aggie running game is this season and is exactly what you want with an inexperience quarterback.
