Aggie passing game seeking deep threat, continued success versus Hogs

Records: A&M is 2-1; Arkansas is 1-1
Kickoff: 11 a.m.
TV: ESPN
Line: Texas A&M -2
Weather: High of 94. 10-percent chance of precipitation. Southeast wind at 11 MPH, but a cool 72 degrees inside AT&T Stadium.

Wild hogs are known to eat almost anything, reproduce rapidly and become aggressive when threatened. They’re also known to allow big pass plays when facing Texas A&M in football games at AT&T Stadium.

In three games played in Arlington, coach Bret Bielema’s Arkansas Razorbacks have typically been roasted by A&M’s passing game. A&M has passed for a combined 969 in those three games with the Hogs. That includes 13 completions that covered between 20 and 92 yards.

Ed Pope had catches of 86 and 50 yards against Arkansas. Ricky Seals-Jones had a 47-yard reception. Josh Reynolds was especially effective. He caught 11 passes for 306 yards and two touchdowns — catches of 59 and 92 yards — against the Hogs.

Of course, none of them remain on the A&M roster. However, Christian Kirk does. He’s had good success against Arkansas, too. He’s caught 11 passes for 198 yards, including touchdown plays that covered 44, 20 and (how did this get in here?) nine yards.

There is no question big plays can be made against the Arkansas pass defense, but can A&M make them?

Kirk, A&M’s primary big-play receiving threat, hasn’t been a threat thus far. He’s caught just 14 passes for 141 yards through three games. Only one reception gained at least 20 yards. Defenses have schemed to neutralize him. Freshman quarterback Kellen Mond may struggle to find him. Complimentary receivers haven’t emerged to take pressure off him yet.

“You've had a couple different schemes that have doubled Christian Kirk. They bracket him,” A&M coach Kevin Sumlin said. “We've seen that. The misnomer is that you have to have a receiver take his place because he's being doubled. We've been able to take advantage of that in the running game because he's drawing attention. You've seen us get him the ball early in games. They adjust. The defensive shifts he causes have created other opportunities for us.”

A&M has taken advantage of its running opportunities. The Aggies average 252 rushing yards. Four players — Trayveon Williams, Keith Ford, Kendall Bussey and Jacob Kibodi — have already rushed for at least 97 yards in a game. That bodes well for facing Arkansas, which gave up 195 rushing yards in a 28-7 loss to TCU.

Still, Kirk’s value is greater than just as a decoy.

True, Arkansas is ranked 13th in pass defense. That likely has more to do with opponents choosing to run. Hill only passed for 166 yards, but completed 21-of-31 attempts.

“Christian gets a lot of attention … double teams and everything else,” senior receiver Damion Ratley said. “In order to free him up, we’ve go too run the ball. In order to free him up I’ve got to catch the ball. Jhamon (Ausbon) has got to catch the ball. We’ve got to take the attention off him.”

Or, perhaps another receiver can emerge as a second big-play threat to roast the Hogs like Reynolds did.

“I’m hoping I can be (that threat),” Ratley said. “I hope somebody makes big plays. It doesn't matter if its me, Kirk, Jhamon or Aaron (Hansford). If the ball’s in the air, hopefully somebody can make that play.”

Seemingly, someone always does against Arkansas.