Post Game Review: No. 14 Texas A&M 34, Mississippi State 24

No. 14 Texas A&M took care of business, defeating Mississippi State on Saturday afternoon for its sixth straight victory, 34-24.

After winning the toss and electing to receive, Mississippi State found an initial first down before the wrath of Nic Scourton was felt in the Bulldogs’ backfield. A loss of five was quickly gained back with a 40-yard scamper from Davon Booth. On fourth down, the Bulldogs inched over the line to gain and into the red zone shortly after. State’s opening touchdown drive ended with Michael Van Buren Jr. taking it to the house, 7-0.

Conner Weigman & Co. began their march on their own 26-yard line, converting their first third down with a strike to Jabre Barber. After missing a wide-open Noah Thomas downfield, a seven-yard gain from Amari Daniels and a 14-yarder to Barber kept the drive moving. The 13-play drive wore down the Bulldogs and a beautiful pass over the top to Thomas tied things up, 7-7. 

Giving up 11 and 25-yard plays, State scooted in A&M’s territory efficiently as the first quarter expired. Yet, A&M’s front seven showed up to prevent any damage. Back-to-back sacks from Rylan Kennedy/Taurean York and Cashius Howell halted any movement, forcing Jeff Lebby’s Bulldogs to punt.

A&M’s next offensive drive kicked off with a crucial drop by Barber downhill. Yet, two plays later, a 58-yard shot to #1 made up for it and placed the Aggies inside the red zone. The Aggies capitalized as Le’Veon Moss powered his way into the end zone to give A&M the lead. 

Matt Bush-Imagn Images

After giving up 273 yards in the first half vs. Mississippi State, A&M's defense allowed just 94 in the second.

Back on defense, A&M allowed two more plays over 10 yards, but a 38-yard bomb to Kevin Coleman Jr. set up State with prime position inside the 10.

However, the Aggies stood firm, forcing State to kick a 24-yard field goal.

The Aggies’ ensuing drive was spoiled as Weigman threw his first-ever interception against SEC competition.

Mississippi State’s drive was shortlived as Scooby Williams picked off Van Buren and ran it 32 yards. On fourth down, Elko & Co. elected to go for it, and a pass interference call gifted the Aggies another set of downs. A play later, Daniels hauled it for six to put the Aggies up two scores. 

With 1:48 remaining in the half, the Bulldogs marched 75 yards to answer right back. Three consecutive chunk plays gashed A&M’s backend, as Scourton was injured on a 14-yard pass to Kelly Akharaiyi. Van Buren hit Mario Craver for a four-yard passing touchdown right before the half expired.

To start the second half, A&M slowly moved the sticks as Moss and Daniels received a heavy majority of the load. After a 12-yard completion to Cyrus Allen, Weigman found Tre Watson to convert a massive first down. Mississippi State stalled A&M’s 17-play drive on the 18-yard line as Bond knocked a 28-yarder through the uprights. 

Matt Bush-Imagn Images

Le’Veon Moss rushed for 65 yards on 17 carries. Amari Daniels added 47 on 12 attempts.

The Aggies’ front began to get after Van Buren as Williams lit up the signal caller. But a holding call gift-wrapped State a fresh set of downs. Yet, the front persisted and forced the Bulldogs to give the ball back to the Aggies. A failed fake punt set up the Aggies up on State’s 32-yard line. The ground game inched the A&M towards the goal line, where Moss punched in the score. 

After a lackluster drive from Mississippi State, A&M handed the ball right back to the Bulldogs as Weigman threw his second interception of the game. The home squad capitalized as Van Buren found Coleman for a 12-yard passing touchdown.

An unsuccessful drive for the Aggies led to Tyler White’s first appearance of the night, booming it 43 yards. Mississippi State followed suit, giving it back to A&M after an uninspiring pursuit. 

Gains of 16 and 11 propelled the Aggies downfield as Randy Bond capped off the drive with a 44-yard field goal.

The Aggies and Bulldogs traded wasted possessions as the fourth quarter expired, and A&M secured yet another win. 

RUMBLED: After a splotchy first half, Texas A&M’s defense held Mississippi State to just 94 yards in the second. Only up 21-17, Mike Elko needed that side of the ball to be the difference, and they only allowed seven points in the second half. Taurean York led the charge with 12 tackles, half a sack and half a TFL.

STUMBLED: Elko preaches it: You have to win the turnover battle to win the football game. Luckily, the Aggies just squeaked by on a flawed offensive day. One of Conner Weigman’s interceptions resulted in a touchdown for Mississippi State. Weigman’s other pick was not costly because of Scooby Williams’ clutch play. Additionally, Texas A&M was penalized for 59 yards. Such mistakes against SEC competition moving forward need to be cleaned up.

TURNING POINT: It was a little easier for Aggie fans to sit back in their recliners after Randy Bond’s 44-yard field goal with 6:06 remaining in the fourth quarter. The field goal put the Aggies up two possessions, and shortly after, A&M’s defense prevented Mississippi State from putting up any more points.

UNSUNG HERO: Scooby Williams showed up on Saturday. After Weigman’s first interception, the linebacker handed the ball right back to the offense with his first career pick. Texas A&M scored just five plays later. Additionally, he recorded a pair of tackles of loss and six tackles. A solid day for the Florida transfer.

KEY STAT: After Saturday’s win, Texas A&M sits at 6-1 and is now bowl-eligible in Elko’s first season.

Scoring Summary

First-quarter

MSST: 9:36 - Michael Van Buren Jr. 14-yard rushing touchdown. Drive: 12 plays, 92 yards. TOP: 5:13. Mississippi State 7, Texas A&M 0

A&M: 2:41 - Conner Weigman 20-yard passing touchdown to Noah Thomas. Drive: 13 plays, 74 yards. TOP: 6:43. Texas A&M 7, Mississippi State 7

Second-quarter

A&M: 10:29 - Le’Veon Moss 9-yard rushing touchdown. Drive: 7 plays, 81 yards. TOP: 2:36. Texas A&M 14, Mississippi State 7

MSST: 6:30 - Kyle Ferrie 24-yard field goal. Drive: 9 plays, 69 yards. TOP: 3:59. Texas A&M 14, Mississippi State 10

A&M: 1:48 - Amari Daniels 6-yard rushing touchdown. Drive: 4 plays, 28 yards. TOP: 1:43. Texas A&M 21, Mississippi State 10

MSST: 0:21 - Michael Van Buren Jr. 4-yard passing touchdown to Mario Craver. Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards. TOP: 1:27. Texas A&M 21, Mississippi State 17

Third-quarter

A&M: 7:10 - Randy Bond 28-yard field goal. Drive: 17 plays, 64 yards. TOP: 7:50. Texas A&M 24, Mississippi State 17

A&M: 3:24 - Le’Veon Moss 3-yard rushing touchdown. Drive: 4 plays, 32 yards. TOP: 1:59. Texas A&M 31, Mississippi State 17

MSST: 0:21 - Michael Van Buren Jr. 12-yard passing touchdown to Kevin Coleman Jr. Drive: 3 plays, 12 yards. TOP: 1:14. Texas A&M 31, Mississippi State 24

Fourth-quarter

A&M: 6:13 - Randy Bond 44-yard field goal. Drive: 7 plays, 41 yards. TOP: 3:42. Texas A&M 34, Mississippi State 24