Bygones: Aggies seek absolution for stunning setback in Pasadena

To err is human. To forgive, divine.

Not even divine intervention could lead some frustrated Aggies to forgive coach Kevin Sumlin for Texas A&M’s 45-44 loss to UCLA — the Chicago Fire of college football meltdowns.

But for those who are at least open to letting bygones be bygones: What would it take to earn forgiveness?

Some might say an SEC championship. Some might demand at least nine wins. For others, a winning season might suffice. No doubt, the Aggies must make quick restitution or the October 21 bye week could be buy-out week. That’s what happens when you suffer an epic loss.

But remember one thing: The A&M team that blew a 34-point lead is also the A&M team that built a 34-point lead. And that team flashed the potential to have a successful season.

Go ahead and roll your eyes. Exhale a heavy sigh. But the last three seasons should have taught Aggies not to overreact to the first game.

True, quarterback Nick Starkel and safety Donovan Wilson are now sidelined, which definitely hurts. Those injuries aren’t reason to punt this season away and start looking to 2018. After all, Starkel completed just six of 13 passes for 62 yards. His only contribution to the running game was handing off to Trayveon Williams and Keith Ford.

Not meaning to pump sunshine here, but there were actually several encouraging signs before the apocalyptic fourth quarter collapse.

The offensive line that was in question paved the way for Williams and Ford to rush for 265 yards in the first half alone. UCLA’s run defense isn’t as strong as those A&M will face against Alabama, Auburn and LSU, but that was a better-than-expected showing from the running game.

Of course, the problem moving forward is that every opponent will put eight or nine defenders within five yards of the line of scrimmage and dare the Aggies to pass. Sumlin, too, is well aware of that.

“We're going to be forced to throw the rest of the year,” Sumlin said on Tuesday. “They'll make Kellen (Mond) be a complete quarterback. We have to address that. It's on tape. It's the same on offense, defense and special teams. You have to address those issues before moving on, whether it's a player or scheme.”

Mond did struggle as a passer in completing just 3 of 17 attempts. Some of those throws were dropped, though. Unlike some recent years, A&M doesn’t need a prolific passing game to move the football. The Aggies just need to be efficient enough to exploit defenses that are over-playing the run.

Mond should get better with more playing time, though I’d start senior Jake Hubenak. He’s at least shown he can make defenses respect the threat of the pass.

However, it doesn’t matter who is throwing if receivers don’t reel in catch-able passes. Those highly-touted receiver prospects must make dramatic progress. Until then, I’d start tight end Kalvin Cline and even use freshman Camron Horry to provide more blocking for the running game. Maybe Cline could be sure-handed enough to make a few catches to make defenses back off the run.

Speaking of the run, the Aggies defense did an excellent job in run defense. Admittedly, UCLA’s running game won’t scare anybody, but the Aggies limited the Bruins to 63 rushing yards — all in the first half.

For one game, at least, sophomore Tyrel Dodson appeared to be the solution to the problem at middle linebacker. Otaro Alaka also played extremely well in his natural position at weak side linebacker. Those are vital signs with so many strong, run-based teams inhabiting the SEC West.

The Aggies won’t face as dynamic a passer as Rosen for the rest of the year, though Arkansas’ Austin Allen, Auburn’s Jarrett Stidham, Ole Miss’ Shea Patterson and Mississippi State’s Nick Fitzgerald are certainly capable.

Regardless of who they’re facing, the Aggies obviously have to get better. They have to figure out how to cover the tight end. They have to find defensive backs that can make plays on poorly thrown balls and make what should be routine tackles.

But A&M does appear to have a tremendous prospect in freshman cornerback Myles Jones. Defensive end Jarrett Johnson showed that he can provide pressure.

“There were very positive things in the first half,” Sumlin said. “There are a lot of things we can learn from. The key is to not make those same mistakes again and get better.”

Do that, and A&M could still have a winning season. Maybe they can even post eight or nine victories. If that total is somehow reached, frustrated Aggies might be willing to forgive and forget.

Well, forgive, anyway. Nobody is going to forget.