SEC Power Rankings: Egg Bowl, Iron Bowl to decide SEC West champ

Nov 21, 2015; Nashville, TN, USA; Texas A&M Aggies tight end Jordan Davis (89) fights off a tackle attempt by Vanderbilt Commodores defensive back Bryce Lewis (30) during the first half at Vanderbilt Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

There has been a lot of talk this season about the improved performance of the Texas A&M defense under first-year coordinator John Chavis, and the Aggies put together their best defensive performance of the season in a 25-0 victory over Vanderbilt Saturday in Nashville.

The Commodores are far from an offensive powerhouse, but A&M was still very impressive and allowed just 148 yards (a season-low) in the shutout, which was the first for the program since 2004. Two Vanderbilt quarterbacks managed just 23 passing yards and completed just five of 16 attempts. Texas A&M also recorded four sacks and an interception.

Offensively, quarterback Kyle Allen started for the Aggies for the first time since Oct. 24 and responded with 336 passing yards and a touchdown. Allen connected on 18 of 36 pass attempts and hit Josh Reynolds three times, including a 95-yard touchdown in the second quarter that was the only TD of the game. Running back Tra Carson added a game-high 126 rushing yards on 22 carries and kicker Tyler Bertolet hit six field goals in seven attempts. The Aggies did not turn the football over.

Now 8-3 overall and 4-3 in the SEC, the Aggies need one more win to reverse the downward trend in victories the team has had in each of Kevin Sumlin’s first three seasons as head coach. A&M also still has an opportunity to get to ten wins for the first time since 2012, but they’ll need a victory over LSU in Baton Rouge to do it. As luck would have it, the Tigers have unexpectedly dropped three straight games, including a home loss two weeks ago to Arkansas.

Next Game: Saturday November 28 at LSU

Next: Georgia