You wrote this article just so you could write, "dam good".
Photo by Lindsay Caudle, TexAgs
Texas A&M Football
Dry ground: Aggies defense looks ready to stop the rushing flood
The torrent appears to have stopped.
For three years opposing offenses have surged through Texas A&M’s run defense like a flash flood, often sweeping away the Aggies' hopes of football victory.
But now the Aggies rush defense looks good.
Dam good.
A&M’s run defense held steadfast in last Saturday’s 31-24 overtime victory over UCLA. Although there were a few leaks, A&M limited the Bruins to125 total rushing yards and allowed just 3.1 yards per carry.
That’s a huge improvement over last season when the Aggies gave up an average of 213.7 rushing yards per game to rank 108th in the nation in run defense.
“We were more physical at the point of attack against the run,” Defensive Coordinator John Chavis said. “The linebackers were better. That was one game. We have to be consistent and do it against different styles of offense. I was pleased with the way we played the run. Later in the game, we missed some tackles, but I thought we did a good job overall.”
True, UCLA’s 125-yard rushing totals includes 39 yards in losses via sacks. But even without the sack yardage, A&M limited UCLA to 164 rushing yards.
Lindsay Caudle, TexAgs
A&M's ability to rotate several big, capable bodies along the defensive line will be a difference maker in stopping the run.
Of course, cynics would point out the Aggies limited Arizona State to 92 rushing yards in the 2015 season-opener and still struggled to stop the run the rest of way.
This year will be different.
A&M’s linebackers are better are more experienced. The secondary has big hitters – Armani Watts and Justin Evans – to provide run support. The defensive front could be elite with the combination of ultra-talented defensive ends Myles Garrett and Daeshon Hall and more size and depth at defensive tackle.
“I thought (defensive tackle) Hardreck Walker had his ups and downs. He's a veteran and helped stabilize the balance of the line with Zaycoven Henderson, Kingsley Keke and Daylon Mack,” Coach Kevin Sumlin said. “We have confidence in all the guys that played.
“Shaan Washington and Otaro Alaka were as advertised at linebacker. Tyrel Dodson did some good things. I thought the linebackers were steady.”
“Steady” linebacker play represents significant improvement after three years of frustration with true freshmen, walk-ons and converted receivers at that position.
But steady could become stalwart when the Aggies patch up a few leaks.
A&M allowed UCLA’s Bolu Olorunfunmi to break loose for a 32-yard gain on third-and-one. Also, Soso Jamabo rushed for 91 yards with 48 coming on four carries that covered between 15 and nine yards.
But that means UCLA managed just 2.7 yards on its other 30 rushing plays.
Besides, Jamabo isn’t just a so-so running back.
He was a five-star rated recruit who last season rushed for 494 yards as a true freshman backup. Yet, he was held to four yards or less on 15 of his carries.
Six of A&M’s eight SEC opponents rushed for fewer than 130 yards in their opening games.
The two that managed to reach and exceed that total were Alabama (duh) and Mississippi State, which amassed 239 rushing yards in a 21-20 loss to Sun Belt Conference light-weight South Alabama.
Arkansas managed just 106 rushing yards against Louisiana Tech. Tennessee ran for 127 against Appalachian State. Auburn gained 87 against Clemson. Ole Miss had 67 against Florida State.
A&M seemingly could key the run against most of those teams. The Aggies were not able to focus on run defense against UCLA because quarterback Josh Rosen is an elite passer.
“We played a great quarterback,” Chavis said. “That kid is as good as anybody I've been on the field with. He could have made us miserable if we hadn't gotten pressure. He should be in the NFL next year, but they won't let him. He's a very talented guy.”
With the possible exception of Ole Miss’ Chad Kelly, A&M will not face another passing threat as dangerous as Rosen.
In fact, no remaining A&M opponent offers to the run-pass threat that UCLA has with Jamabo and Rosen.
That’s not the only reason A&M figures to be strong in run defense all year.
But it’s a dam good one.
For three years opposing offenses have surged through Texas A&M’s run defense like a flash flood, often sweeping away the Aggies' hopes of football victory.
But now the Aggies rush defense looks good.
Dam good.
A&M’s run defense held steadfast in last Saturday’s 31-24 overtime victory over UCLA. Although there were a few leaks, A&M limited the Bruins to125 total rushing yards and allowed just 3.1 yards per carry.
That’s a huge improvement over last season when the Aggies gave up an average of 213.7 rushing yards per game to rank 108th in the nation in run defense.
“We were more physical at the point of attack against the run,” Defensive Coordinator John Chavis said. “The linebackers were better. That was one game. We have to be consistent and do it against different styles of offense. I was pleased with the way we played the run. Later in the game, we missed some tackles, but I thought we did a good job overall.”
True, UCLA’s 125-yard rushing totals includes 39 yards in losses via sacks. But even without the sack yardage, A&M limited UCLA to 164 rushing yards.
Lindsay Caudle, TexAgs
A&M's ability to rotate several big, capable bodies along the defensive line will be a difference maker in stopping the run.
This year will be different.
A&M’s linebackers are better are more experienced. The secondary has big hitters – Armani Watts and Justin Evans – to provide run support. The defensive front could be elite with the combination of ultra-talented defensive ends Myles Garrett and Daeshon Hall and more size and depth at defensive tackle.
“I thought (defensive tackle) Hardreck Walker had his ups and downs. He's a veteran and helped stabilize the balance of the line with Zaycoven Henderson, Kingsley Keke and Daylon Mack,” Coach Kevin Sumlin said. “We have confidence in all the guys that played.
“Shaan Washington and Otaro Alaka were as advertised at linebacker. Tyrel Dodson did some good things. I thought the linebackers were steady.”
“Steady” linebacker play represents significant improvement after three years of frustration with true freshmen, walk-ons and converted receivers at that position.
But steady could become stalwart when the Aggies patch up a few leaks.
A&M allowed UCLA’s Bolu Olorunfunmi to break loose for a 32-yard gain on third-and-one. Also, Soso Jamabo rushed for 91 yards with 48 coming on four carries that covered between 15 and nine yards.
But that means UCLA managed just 2.7 yards on its other 30 rushing plays.
Besides, Jamabo isn’t just a so-so running back.
He was a five-star rated recruit who last season rushed for 494 yards as a true freshman backup. Yet, he was held to four yards or less on 15 of his carries.
We were more physical at the point of attack against the run. The linebackers were better. That was one game. We have to be consistent and do it against different styles of offense.
Aside from LSU’s Leonard Fournette and possibly Alabama’s Damien Harris and Tennessee’s Jalen Hurd, the Aggies aren’t likely to face a running back as good as Jamabo.Six of A&M’s eight SEC opponents rushed for fewer than 130 yards in their opening games.
The two that managed to reach and exceed that total were Alabama (duh) and Mississippi State, which amassed 239 rushing yards in a 21-20 loss to Sun Belt Conference light-weight South Alabama.
Arkansas managed just 106 rushing yards against Louisiana Tech. Tennessee ran for 127 against Appalachian State. Auburn gained 87 against Clemson. Ole Miss had 67 against Florida State.
A&M seemingly could key the run against most of those teams. The Aggies were not able to focus on run defense against UCLA because quarterback Josh Rosen is an elite passer.
“We played a great quarterback,” Chavis said. “That kid is as good as anybody I've been on the field with. He could have made us miserable if we hadn't gotten pressure. He should be in the NFL next year, but they won't let him. He's a very talented guy.”
With the possible exception of Ole Miss’ Chad Kelly, A&M will not face another passing threat as dangerous as Rosen.
In fact, no remaining A&M opponent offers to the run-pass threat that UCLA has with Jamabo and Rosen.
That’s not the only reason A&M figures to be strong in run defense all year.
But it’s a dam good one.
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