The eighth-ranked Texas A&M Aggies continued to rebound from their blowout loss against the second-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide. On Saturday, the Arkansas Razorbacks rolled into College Station for the first game at Kyle Field since 2012. After a quick Aggie three-and-out, the Razorbacks took the ball 87 yards downfield most of those yards came from 63 yards rushing with the help of their back and former Aggie, Rakeem Boyd and Quarterback Feleipe Franks and scored a quick touchdown for an early 7-0 lead.
Once the Aggies got the ball back, they did not look back all game. Easily moving the ball downfield, The Aggies drive was capped off by a 35-yard Ainias Smith receiving touchdown and tied the game 7-7. After losing standout wide receiver Caleb Chapman likely for the rest of the season, Texas A&M benefitted from the return of receiver Hezekiah Jones for the first time since 2018, who had his first catch for 15 yards on the drive, and finished the game with 5 catches for 47 yards.
After the Aggie defense forced a quick Arkansas three-and-out, the offense returned to the field, and after two Razorback penalties ended the 2:22 second drive with another Ainias Smith touchdown, this time on the ground via a 15-yard rush.
Texas A&M Aggie’s Three Headed Monster
Senior Quarterback Kellen Mond in the last three games, has looked like a different person than his disappointing game against Alabama. The captain has benefitted from the three-headed-monster in the running game that consists of Isaiah Spiller, Ainias Smith, and himself as threats to the defense when they carry the ball. Mond has also benefitted from his receiving core. After number one receiver Jhamon Ausmon elected to sit out the 2020 season to prepare for the draft, the Aggie offense has seen a number of players step up. None more than sophomore Tight End Jalen Wydermyer who had 6 catches for 92 yards on the game and two touchdowns.
Following the Ainias Smith touchdown, Texas A&M scored on their following two possessions. One by the aforementioned Jalen Wydermyer, and the next off of a 6-yard run by their running back Isiah Spiller. The Aggies took those scores into the half and a 28-14 lead.
Kellen Mond
The continued shine of the A&M run game has been one of the most encouraging things of the season. Because despite strong play from Kellen Mond, like going 21-26 passing for 260 yards and three touchdowns, consistency is always a concern for the senior. Over three years of starts, Mond became Texas A&M’s all-time leading passer, but his record doesn’t reflect what you’d hope for something like that. This year is different from the previous two; however, Jimbo Fisher has done a great job at providing a balanced attack. The one exception is against Alabama, and that is when we saw the worst Kellen Mond performance of the season, and some even questioned why he remains the started?
That consistency is my big question mark for the Aggies, and while the last two wins have been impressive, that Alabama loss still sticks with me. Luckily for Texas A&M their remaining schedule appears to be quite favorable for the Aggies. Their toughest opponent is projected to be the Auburn Tigers the last week of the season.
College Football Playoff Hopes
The Aggies hope to win out, and make a push for one of the four College Football playoff spots. Again, the big question for me remains how the Aggies react if their run game is neutered as it was against the tide, will Kellen Mond step up? The good news is, each week Texas A&M has seemed to add another weapon. This week’s additions came from the return of Hezekiah Jones, and a strong touchdown run from freshman running back Devan Achane also put him in the mix.
All in all, this was an impressive performance for the Aggies. They had production from a number of players. The backfield tandem of Isiah Spiller and Ainias Smith continues to be electric on the ground and through the air. Receivers are stepping up, and you hope to see that continue in big games down the road. I expect Texas A&M to answer the call and be knocking at the door of the College Football Playoff committee.
The remaining touchdowns of the game were scored by another 15-yard Jalen Wydermyer reception, and a 30-yard run from freshman running back Devan Achane. The Texas A&M Aggies finished the game with a 42-31 victory, winning the Southwest Classic game for the 9th year in a row.
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