Post Game Review: Texas A&M 52, McNeese State 10
In the win column.
After a suspect offensive showing from Texas A&M just a week ago, the Aggies responded with a 52-10 rout over the McNeese State Cowboys at Kyle Field.
On an 82-degree, breezy Saturday, A&M’s offense didn’t hesitate to get the ball rolling. A 14-yard dash from Le’Veon Moss was the first chain mover before a pickup of 31 from the tailback propelled the Aggies downfield. Moose Muhammad III’s first reception of the season put the Aggies inside the redzone, where Moss punched it in for six. It was an efficient five-play, two-minute march to kick off A&M’s offensive efficiency.
Jay Bateman’s defense took the field and only allowed seven yards of progress before Conner Weigman & Co. took the field again.
With great field position at the McNeese 46, the signal-caller found Cyrus Allen to advance 12 yards. In what was a two-penalty drive for the Aggies, Amari Daniels took over, rushing for 39 of the 46-yard touchdown drive. Daniels capped off the march in the endzone.
McNeese found an initial first down with a 16-yard pass from Kamden Sixkiller to Jonathan Harris. The Cowboys kept it moving to midfield until a wide-open drop from Matthew McCallister stalled the drive.
A pass interference call gifted A&M 15 yards as Weigman attempted to connect with Noah Thomas. Back-to-back rushes from Moss moved the sticks before #15 scampered for a gain of 15. Weigman’s first incompletion of the day was a perfectly placed ball in the endzone, which Allen could not hold on to.
The drive commenced in the second quarter as Moss’ second score grew A&M’s lead to 21-0.
Back on defense, Will Lee III intercepted a pass from Sixkiller and placed A&M on the 35-yard line. The Aggies found 11 yards on the ground, and a short pass to Allen set up a third-and-1 situation. Daniels moved the chains, and to follow, Thomas grabbed a 15-yard pass from Weigman, A&M’s first touchdown through the air this season.
The Cowboys’ offense went three-and-out once again, and arguably, A&M’s most efficient drive of the year was set in motion.
A 13-yard connection to Allen was followed by a carry from walk-on AJ DiNota. All with their first reception in Maroon & White, Theo Melin Öhrström, Jacob Bostick and Shane Calhoun hauled in catches of 14 or more. Weigman hit Muhammad in the end zone to advance the lead to 35-0 with four minutes remaining in the half.
One of the Cowboys’ largest gains of the day came just before the half as Miami transfer Tre’Vonte Citizen sped away to pick up 26. Yet, the drive was spoiled as Solomon DeShields took down Sixkiller, who threw a pass right into the hands of Marcus Ratcliffe for his first career pick.
A&M’s backup quarterback Marcel Reed concluded the half under center, only gaining a first down with his feet before Randy Bond kicked a 42-yard field goal.
Eleven walk-ons took the field for A&M’s “12th Man kickoff” to begin the second half. With most of A&M’s backup defensive unit in, McNeese moved the ball 32 yards, the Cowboys’ longest possession, before punting it away.
On the 8-yard line, Reed stepped back in at quarterback along with Daniels in the backfield. A pair of rushes from #5 surpassed 200 yards on the ground for A&M. Reed’s first completion to Thomas kept the offense moving before he strutted for a pickup of 11. The longest completion of the day, a 31-yard dart to Allen, placed the Aggies seven yards out, where Daniels easily weaved his way in.
Following A&M’s 92-yard march, the Cowboys worked their way downfield with a collection of short gains, one of which Myles Davis rocked McNeese running back Jashon Barbie. After the third quarter expired, McNeese converted on fourth down, and several rushes from Barbie advanced the Cowboys into into the redzone.
McNeese’s 10-minute, 30-second drive ended with a 10-yard pass to Jalen Wright to spoil the Aggies’ shutout.
The crowd of 92,345 at Kyle Field while freshman Terry Bussey sped down the sideline, rushing 65 yards to put the Aggies up by 45.
A 60-yard scoring march from A&M followed McNeese’s three-and-out drive. Many newcomers saw action and made plays, including freshmen Izaiah Williams and Ashton Bethel-Roman. Reed threw incomplete on fourth-and-2, resulting in a turnover on downs.
McNeese took advantage as the clock winded down with a burst of 47. A 26-yard field goal from the Cowboys ended it, 52-10.
RUMBLED: 502 total offensive yards is always something to smile about, regardless of opponent. Texas A&M’s bounce-back offensive showing consisted of eight straight scoring drives, 333 yards on the ground and 196 through the air. Before being pulled before the half, Conner Weigman connected on 11-of-17 passes and looked much more comfortable than a week ago.
STUMBLED: The defense did their job, but if we are nitpicking here, Texas A&M’s defense has yet to record a sack in eight quarters of play.
TURNING POINT: The Aggies’ five straight touchdown drives in the first half were a good indication Texas A&M had this one in the bag before heading to the locker room.
UNSUNG HERO: How about five touchdowns out of Texas A&M’s backfield? With some concerns about the running back corps with Rueben Owens out for the season and EJ Smith out on Saturday, the stable of Le’Veon Moss and Amari Daniels both punched in a pair of scores. Additionally, Terry Bussey’s 65-yard haul for six was a sight to see. Let’s not forget AJ DiNota’s 27 yards.
KEY STAT: The last time Texas A&M had 330+ yards on the ground? It was December 31, 2018, against NC State, where Trayveon Williams helped put up 401 in the Gator Bowl.
Scoring Summary
First-quarter
A&M: 12:44 - Le’Veon Moss 2-yard rushing touchdown. Drive: 5 plays, 75 yards. TOP: 2:16. Texas A&M 7, McNeese State 0
A&M: 7:46 - Amari Daniels 2-yard rushing touchdown. Drive: 6 plays, 46 yards. TOP: 3:44. Texas A&M 14, McNeese State 0
Second-quarter
A&M: 14:20 - Le’Veon Moss 6-yard rushing touchdown. Drive: 10 plays, 73 yards. TOP: 4:33. Texas A&M 21, McNeese State 0
A&M: 10:27 - Conner Weigman 15-yard touchdown pass to Noah Thomas. Drive: 7 plays, 35 yards. TOP: 3:04. Texas A&M 28, McNeese State 0
A&M: 4:36 - Conner Weigman 3-yard touchdown pass to Moose Muhammad. Drive: 8 plays, 80 yards. TOP: 3:50. Texas A&M 35, McNeese State 0
A&M: 0:44 - Randy Bond 56-yard field goal. Drive: 5 plays, 15 yards. TOP: 1:46. Texas A&M 38, McNeese State 0
Third-quarter
A&M: 5:55 - Amari Daniels 7-yard rushing touchdown. Drive: 10 plays, 92 yards. TOP: 4:47. Texas A&M 45, McNeese State 0
Fourth-quarter
McNeese: 10:25 - Kamden Sixkiller 10-yard touchdown pass to Jalen Wright. Drive: 19 plays, 75 yards. TOP: 10:30. Texas A&M 45, McNeese State 7
A&M: 10:06 - Terry Bussey 65-yard rushing touchdown. Drive: 1 play, 65 yards. TOP: 0:13. Texas A&M 52, McNeese State 7
McNeese: 0:00 - Tyler Larco 26-yard field goal. Drive: 11 plays, 89 yards. TOP: 4:20 Texas A&M 52, McNeese State 10
