A seesaw start for Texas A&M's rebuilt offensive line

Click here to view Texas A&M’s Tuesday press conference.

For the crowd at Kyle Field, watching Texas A&M’s rebuilt offensive line in the season-opening football victory over Missouri State might have been like riding a seesaw.

What they wanted to see isn’t what they saw. Then, they saw what they came to see.

Last season, the offensive line was among the strongest aspects of the A&M team that finished 11-2 and reached the College Football Playoff. But four starters moved on to the NFL.

The overall success of this year’s Aggies may depend heavily on the play of the revamped line.

So, all eyes at Kyle Field hoped to see a dominant line. Instead, they saw a lethargic one.

“In the first half, it wasn’t really what we wanted, what we expected,” senior tackle Tyree Adams admitted on Tuesday. “We came out there kind of lackadaisical, but in the second half, we kind of picked it up after hearing what coach (Mike) Elko had to say.”

And just what did he say?

“Well … for proper words, we kind of just came out there soft and lackadaisical,” Adams said. “We were expecting to beat them, so we didn’t really put our best foot forward.

“Honestly, that kind of hurt us in the first half, but then we put that aside and really showed who Texas A&M is. We came out in the second half and actually dominated.”

Indeed. The Aggies rushed for just 76 yards at a 3.5 average per carry in the first half. They also allowed two sacks.

But in the second half, A&M averaged 6.4 yards per attempt, while rushing for 160 yards. The line didn’t allow any sacks, either.

“There’s kind of like some growing pains at first,” Adams said. “Just getting used to all the new guys and everybody coming in.”

The Aggies’ four new line starters included three transfers — Adams from LSU, fellow tackle Wilkin Formby from Alabama and guard Trovon Baugh from South Carolina.

Junior guard Blake Ivy and veteran center Mark Nabou Jr. completed the starting lineup.

Obviously, the Aggies went heavily into the transfer portal to rebuild the line.

Danny Grant, TexAgs

Saturday was Mark Nabou Jr.’s 27th career start.

Adams was their top target to replace Trey Zuhn III, an All-SEC left tackle who was selected in the third round of the NFL draft.

“He was the one we really wanted,” Elko said. “We were really excited when we were able to land him. In our eyes, we got the No. 1 guy that we coveted.

“I think he’s been everything we thought and hoped he would be. And I think this program has impacted him in the way he would hope it would impact him.”

A native of Marrero, La., Adams decided to enter the transfer portal after LSU coach Brian Kelly was fired following a 49-25 loss to the Aggies.

Adams was attracted to Elko’s program.

“(He) really emphasized and focused on urgency,” Adams said. “I’m very locked in and focused on this year. It’s just urgent. We need that national championship. That’s the biggest thing.

“Just do it with my teammates. Everybody understands the goal. All the coaches understand the goal. They harp on the same thing.”

Contending for a championship will require a strong offensive line. Adams said the rebuilt line gets stronger every day.

It will need to be stronger on Saturday when the Aggies face Arizona State at 11 a.m. at Kyle Field.

Last year, the Sun Devils were 31st in the nation in rushing defense and 23rd in sacks. They allowed just 102 rushing yards and posted two sacks last week in their 70-7 season-opening victory over Morgan State.

They pose a serious challenge. Adams said there can be no lackadaisical starts.

“They’re a very well-coached defensive line,” Adams said. “Great linebackers, safeties, corners, everybody. They’re good.

“We’re going to have to come out swinging.”

That’s what the Kyle Field crowd will want to see.