Published Monday, September 05, 2011 12:46 AM
OFFENSE: A-
By ROBERT CESSNAWhat went right: Just about everything. A&M established the run with Cyrus Gray (21 carries-132 yards, 2 TDs) surprisingly looking much better than he did when he ended with seven straight 100-yard rushing games. Gray's hard running opened up the passing game for Ryan and Ryan with QB Tannehill completing 21 of 26 for 246 yards and 2 TDs and wide receiver Swope getting eight catches for 109 yards.
What went wrong: A&M got sloppy on its first possession of the second half after getting inside the 10. A&M had a substitution penalty and was lucky enough to recover a fumble just to kick a field goal.
Bottom line: A&M had 36 carries by its running backs with only 1 lost yard and threw 26 passes with no sacks. A&M ended with no turnovers and failed to score on only two of 10 possessions.
DEFENSE: B-
What went right: A&M got a pair of interceptions in the first seven minutes that led to a 14-0 lead. The Aggies had eight sacks.
What went wrong: A&M couldn't tackle 230-pound running back Zach Line, who in the first half rambled for 108 yards rushing on 15 carries, never getting stopped behind the line.
Bottom line: SMU self-destructed early on offense, but A&M didn't allow a point in the final 43 minutes, 57 seconds, shoring up its run defense in the process.
SPECIAL TEAMS: D
What went right: Ryan Epperson averaged 39.5 yards on two punts with one downed at the SMU 2. Randy Bullock had four touchbacks with SMU averaging only 14.5 yards on four kickoff returns.
What went wrong: SMU blocked a pair of extra points and the Mustangs scored their first touchdown after Bullock's kickoff went out of bounds, giving SMU the ball at the 40. A&M also dropped a punt return it covered.
Bottom line: A&M needs to shore things up before playing Oklahoma State on Sept. 24.
COACHING: B
What went right: Tannehill took the majority of his snaps under center, which eliminated possible bad snaps in the shotgun, seemingly helping the running game in the process.
What went wrong: A&M's defense was gutted for 210 yards in the first half, and after getting two turnovers quick, didn't get another one.
Bottom line: A&M's offense averaged 7 yards a pop with a very conservative game plan against a potential Top 30 defense.
OVERALL: A
What went right: A&M showed the nation why it's headed to the Southeastern Conference with a Top 10 team and a crowd that believes it's the best in the nation.
What went wrong: Ah. ... yes, A&M had a slew of first-game mistakes, yet finding fault with a 32-point victory over a potential Top 25 team would be way too harsh.
Bottom line: The Aggies might not be as good as many thought. They might be even better.
No comments:
Post a Comment