This game had it’s frustrating moments to be sure, but just like every other one before it this season, it ended with the Aggies in the win column – this time with a 45-42 win over Arkansas in Fayetteville.
Here are some of the numbers that tell the tale.
Salient Stats
- 0: Times Arkansas had the ball in the final three quarters with the ability to take the lead. While this game was closer than any of us would’ve liked, there was never a moment it was truly in doubt. The Hogs stayed close, but could never do enough to actually threaten to pull ahead.
- 0: Turnovers (for either side). This Arkansas offense had been very turnover-prone, which was a big reason they were still winless in SEC play. You certainly wish our defense would have gotten a takeaway or two, but the fact that A&M still won without any is a welcome sign.
- 4: Sacks for the Aggie defense. There was plenty to dislike about the A&M defense on Saturday, but the pass rush was not one of them. They were consistently putting pressure on a very slippery Taylen Green, and honestly, Arkansas got away with some egregious holds that kept this total from being even higher. A&M also eight total tackles for loss.
- 7: Penalties for 67 yards. Certainly the timing of some of these penalties wasn’t ideal (taking two TDs off the board, including one that would’ve made the score 52-35 in the fourth quarter). However, this is still an improvement of the double digit penalty games that were the norm earlier this season.
- 7: Straight wins to begin the season for the first time since 1994. The Aggies have three of their biggest tests still to come, with road games at LSU, Mizzou and Texas on tap in the coming weeks, but that discount the importance of this start. Winning the games you’re supposed to is a skill – one that the Aggies seem to get better at by the week.
- 7.4: Yards per carry for RB E.J. Smith. He looked so good in his limited work, running with force and evading tacklers. He had a great TD run that was negated by one of those aforementioned penalties. Don’t be surprised if E.J. has earned himself a larger role in this offense going forward.
- 71.9%: A season-high completion percentage for Marcel Reed. This was perhaps Reed’s best performance of the season, showing good poise and accuracy, being decisive with when to run, and operating the offense extremely effectively. If he can continue this level of play in the coming weeks, watch out.
- 83: Receiving yards for Ashton Bethel-Roman, including a first quarter touchdown. ABR has had a quiet season to this point, being outshined by KC Concepcion and Mario Craver. It was good to see him have a breakout game when A&M needed every point they could muster.
- 497: Total yards for the Aggies (and they proved to need every one). That’s a season high against power conference opponents (topped this season only by their 554 yards against Utah State), and even if the Arkansas defense is terrible, it’s good to see the offense humming and doing what they’re supposed to do against a suspect unit.
