Debuting its camo uniforms for the university’s 150th anniversary, Texas A&M went Hog hunting on Saturday night.
After two conference losses, the Aggies returned to the win column with a 34-7 victory over Arkansas at Kyle Field.
Slow starts have plagued A&M through its 2-2 stretch, but the Maroon & White got off on the right foot in Week 5.
Arkansas’ first possession went awry as KJ Jackson threw it right to Dalton Brooks, who took the interception to Arkansas’ 28-yard line. The Aggies converted on fourth-and-1 with a Marcel Reed quarterback keeper inside the red zone, and freshman running back Carsyn Baker punched it in, 7-0.
After the Razorbacks went three-and-out, Reed continued to use his legs on A&M’s second offensive drive with more designed runs, in addition to a 23-yard scamper when he saw open field. Using 12 personnel to set a physical tone, the Aggies established the run, and the Aggies' other rookie tailback, KJ Edwards, ended the 10-play, 78-yard drive with a pylon-reaching touchdown.
SEC leading receiver Chris Marshall made his return to Kyle Field after spending his freshman season in Aggieland. Jackson found his star wideout three times on the march, including a 26-yard one-handed touchdown haul.
To begin the second quarter, both offenses appeared to be going three-and-out until Arkansas was given a first down on a roughing-the-kicker penalty. Even with a new set of downs, the Hogs didn’t move far and missed a 54-yard field goal attempt.
A chunk play came from TK Norman, who helped the Aggies cross midfield on a 17-yard haul. Rueben Owens II and Edwards swapped carries throughout the drive, eating up time of possession. Mike Elko elected to kick a field goal on fourth-and-2, until Arkansas’ illegal substitution offered another set of downs. Reed capped off the drive with his second rushing score of the season to make it 21-7.
On defense, A&M finally put pressure on Jackson. He threw three straight incompletions, including a third-down throw that Ray Coney should have picked off.
Just before the half, a 7-yard completion to Houston Thomas placed the Aggies at the logo, where David Olano nailed the longest field goal by an Aggie since 1999, a 57-yarder.
A&M followed that exhilarating kick up with its longest play of the year after the break. Reed found Kiotti Armstrong, and the 6-foot-5, 285-pound tight end sped away for a 54-yard gain. The Aggies went back to Edwards to make it a four-score game.
Braylen Russell and Marshall helped Arkansas storm right into A&M territory until the Aggie defense salvaged the drive with a goal-line stand on fourth down. The Maroon & White responded by going 65 yards downfield, where Olano knocked a 50-yard through with ease.
The visitors made their way back into A&M territory, but the Razorbacks were faced with the same issues, failing to convert on fourth down. A&M returned the ball with its second punt of the game.
Brady Hart took over at quarterback on the final march, and A&M ran the ball down the 1-yard line. However, the Ags were stopped short on fourth down.
RUMBLED: Reed ran. Instead of trying to make the dual-threat quarterback a pocket passer, Reed was let loose. On nine carries with a long of 23, there were glimpses of the mobile QB we saw a year ago.
Additionally, establishing the run was critical for A&M early. The Aggies ran the ball 27 times and threw it 10 in the first half. A running back-by-committee approach helped A&M move the chains, but the freshmen kept turning heads. Edwards impressed every time he got touches. Baker remained a go-to option on the goal line. The duo accounted for three scores.
STUMBLED: In the last four games, A&M has allowed a solo opposing receiver to gain 75-plus yards. Former A&M wideout-turned-Razorback Chris Marshall went for 76 yards and a touchdown on Saturday night. Arizona State's Reed Harris went for 189. Kentucky’s DJ Miller had 96. LSU’s Jackson Harris put up 163. Elko’s “best secondary ever” is still struggling to defend opponents’ best receivers, even if they're at the top of the defensive scouting report.
TURNING POINT: This game was sealed after KJ Edwards ran in his second score, and the defense followed it up with a goal-line stand on fourth down in the third quarter.
UNSUNG HERO: How about the heavyset tight end recording A&M’s longest play of the year? Kiotti Armstrong caught Reed’s pass just seven yards off the line of scrimmage but added 47 yards after the catch, almost finding the end zone.
KEY STAT: David Olano’s 57-yard field goal was the longest made by a Texas A&M kicker in 30 years.
Scoring Summary
First quarter
A&M: 9:27 - Carsyn Baker 2-yard rushing touchdown. Drive: 8 plays, 28 yards. TOP 4:12. Texas A&M 7, Arkansas 0
A&M: 3:00 - KJ Edwards 20-yard rushing touchdown. Drive: 10 plays, 78 yards. TOP 5:40. Texas A&M 14, Arkansas 0
ARK: 0:24 - KJ Jackson 26-yard passing touchdown to Chris Marshall. Drive: 6 plays, 75 yards. TOP 2:36. Texas A&M 14, Arkansas 7
Second quarter
A&M: 2:22 - Marcel Reed 1-yard rushing touchdown. Drive: 13 plays, 63 yards. TOP 8:12. Texas A&M 21, Arkansas 0
A&M: 0:00 - David Olano 57-yard field goal. Drive: 7 plays, 33 yards. TOP 1:58. Texas A&M 24, Arkansas 7
Third quarter
A&M: 12:42 - KJ Edwards 3-yard rushing touchdown. Drive: 4 plays, 75 yards. TOP 2:18. Texas A&M 31, Arkansas 7
Fourth quarter
A&M: 14:50 - David Olano 50-yard field goal. Drive: 9 plays, 65 yards. TOP 5:38. Texas A&M 34, Arkansas 7
