College

Kevin Sumlin, Aggies Enjoyed Hog-Hunting Saturday Night

by
KP Kelly
September 25

Photo via Tim Heitman – USA Today Sports

By: Kyle Spishock (@kyleelconqueror)

September 25th, 2016

After the Razorbacks desolated the artificial turf of TCU and Texas State, Arkansas wandered into the suspended corral defensive trap of the Aggies, finally succumbing to the bait of Texas college football as A&M reigned victorious 45-24 in the SEC-West matchup.

After the score was notched 17-17 at halftime, the Aggies ran away with the ball game behind 372 yards of rushing against the SEC’s third ranked defense, defeating the Razorbacks for the fifth consecutive meeting.

A&M Quarterback Trevor Knight accounted for 382 yards of total offense, threw for two scores, and ran for two more (scrambling for the only Aggies touchdowns of the first half). Arkansas AB Austin Allen displayed toughness and grit, playing despite a bruised chest behind a weary offensive front, and finishing with 371 passing yards.

The Aggies were built to be a fast starting team under Coach Sumlin, but struggled with inconsistencies to defend the run in the past. Following the hiring of coach John Chavis, Texas A&M looks the part for ascending suitors to the SEC throne;. the defense has been the crown jewel of the Aggies schemes, and were responsible for three critical goal line stops in Saturday’scontest.

The critical turning point occurred during the final aforementioned stoppage during the third. Following a fourth-and-goal stoppage, the Aggies retained possession, resulting in Knight airing a 92-yard shot seized midfield by Josh Reynolds for a score.

Running back Trayveon Williams – who finished with 153 yards and two touchdowns – stepped his cleat on the exposed jugular of the Razorbacks on the next drive, racing for a 33-yard score.

The offensive surge capped a 21 unanswered point drive, a deficit that Arkansas could not claw back from.