Sometimes you just have to find a way to win, even when the game starts ugly. Texas A&M scored 24 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to pull away for a 48-20 victoryover Arizona State and improve to 2-0.
Unlike Week 1 against Missouri State, the Aggies were forced to use their primary rotation throughout most of Saturday’s game. That gives us a much better look at the players who have earned the largest roles as A&M prepares to begin conference play.
Pro Football Focus recorded 63 offensive snaps and 65 defensive snaps. Marcel Reed played every offensive snap as expected, while the running back and tight end positions continued to feature multiple contributors. Defensively, the Aggies showed off their depth on a hot afternoon at Kyle Field.
Marco Jones led the edge group, but his playing time remained fairly close to Anto Saka and T.J. Searcy.
Texas A&M offensive snap-count leaders
The highest snap count at each offensive position, according to Pro Football Focus.
Isaiah Horton led every non-quarterback skill player and is looking every bit like an every-down receiver. He only caught three passes, but two went for touchdowns. Terry Bussey and Mario Craver were right behind him with 44 and 43 snaps. The two combined for seven receptions, 92 yards and one touchdown.
The Aggies struggled to establish the running game despite rotating Owens and Jamarion Morrow throughout the afternoon. Owens led the backfield with 30 snaps, while Morrow finished with 24. They combined for 62 yards on 18 carries, and neither produced a run longer than eight yards.
The offensive line could continue to experience some shuffling, especially at guard. Adams, Nabou, Baugh and Formby each played at least 56 snaps, while Ivy finished with 41 and Tyler Thomas played 22. The tight ends also remained in a healthy rotation. Anderson led the group with 28 snaps, while Houston Thomas and Micah Riley each played 21.
Texas A&M defensive snap-count leaders
The highest snap count at each defensive position, according to Pro Football Focus.
Marcus Ratcliffe led the defense with 59 snaps, with Dalton Brooks right behind him at 58. That made them the closest players A&M had to true every-down defenders. Ricks led the cornerbacks, while Julio Humphrey played 45 snaps and produced one of the defensive highlights of the game with a fourth-quarter pick-six.
Mikhail and Coney each played 48 snaps, providing the clearest picture yet of the linebacker hierarchy. Daymion Sanford’s eventual return could give the Aggies another experienced option and deepen the rotation as the season progresses.
In front of them, A&M continued rotating its edge defenders. Jones led the group with 39 snaps, followed by Searcy with 32 and Saka with 30. Jones made the most of his opportunities by recording a sack, forcing a fumble and returning an interception 55 yards for a touchdown. DJ Hicks led the interior defensive linemen with 36 snaps, while CJ Mims played 28.
The Arizona State game offered a much more realistic look at Texas A&M’s rotation than the season-opening blowout. Horton’s every-down role, the split between Owens and Morrow, the movement along the offensive line and Jones’ emergence on defense will all be worth monitoring when the Aggies host Kentucky to begin SEC play.
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This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Texas A&M football snap count leaders vs. Arizona State in Week 2
