Week Eight's Overnight Sensation: Devon Achane, Running Back
Each Monday during the 2020 Texas A&M football season, we’ll identify a first or second-year Aggie player who delivered an exceptional performance and earned the distinction of being the week’s ‘Overnight Sensation.’
One yard. Three feet. Thirty-six inches.
That's how close running back Devon Achane was to his first 100-yard rushing performance of his young collegiate career.
The true freshman toted the rock just nine times for 99 yards on Saturday afternoon as the fifth-ranked Aggies downed Auburn, 31-20, at Jordan-Hare Stadium. It was Achane's highest rushing output of the season and second-highest total yardage showing (135 vs. South Carolina).
Early in his Texas A&M tenure, Achane has shown he can impact the game at a moment's notice. On Saturday, he showcased another element of his game: the capability to be an every-down back.
In the second quarter, Jimbo Fisher decided to give feature back Isaiah Spiller a rest and inserted Achane into the game. He made an immediate impact, rushing for 15 yards on his first carry. In fact, on the first five plays of A&M's third drive, Achane carried the ball on each, gaining 59 yards, including a game-high 29-yard run. The Aggie drive ultimately stalled, but not before Achane led them deep into Auburn territory.
Achane's aforementioned 135-yard showing in Columbia saw him get involved both in both the running game and the passing attack. However, at Auburn, he was targeted just once, which he hauled in for a three-yard gain. Look for the Aggies to get him more involved in the passing game as Achane gives Kellen Mond yet another game-changing weapon.
When you watch Achane, his track-and-field speed obviously stands out, but his vision and patience are equally impressive as the first-year back has quickly developed under running backs coach Tommie Robinson.
There's no doubt that Spiller is the Maroon & White bell cow, but when Achane and Ainias Smith are in the backfield, the drop-off is minuscule, if there's any at all. The Aggie running game is as strong as any in the Southeastern Conference, and they rolled up 313 yards as a group on The Plains.
A&M's offense dominates on the ground, and Achane is a huge reason why. As for that elusive 100-yard showing, that'll no doubt come in short order.
Achane's stats vs. Auburn
Carries: 9
Rushing yards: 99
Average: 11.0
Long: 29
Rushing touchdowns: 0
Achane's 2020 stats
Carries: 31
Rushing yards: 224
Average: 7.4
Long: 30
Rushing Touchdowns: 2
MESSAGE FROM OUR SPONSOR
With a privileged location directly across from Kyle Field, the Doug Pitcock ’49 Texas A&M Hotel and Conference Center offers 250 guest rooms, rooftop pool, dining outlets, a two-story bar and lounge, and conference center with 35,000 square feet of meeting and event space.
