Texas A&M Football: Close plays keep Aggies in the game at halftime

Texas A&M football entered their Week 4 game against the Razorbacks as 2.5 point favorites. The offense hasn’t been consistent, but it has been effective.

First, it’s time to acknowledge that neither the Aggies or the Razorbacks are going to be challengers in the SEC West this season. Both squads have significant issues on both sides of the football. On paper that sets up for a sloppy game. However, every time these two teams face off the result tends towards the spectacular.

The two teams traded scores in the first quarter. Austin Allen connected on a 6-yard score to Jared Cornelius before the Aggies answered with an 81 yard strike from Kellen Mond to Christian Kirk.

Arkansas with a pair of touchdown drives within the first five minutes of the second quarter to take a 21-7 lead. The Aggies capped off the first half scoring with a field goal (after one of the worst blown calls I’ve seen this season) and an 18-yard touchdown run by Trayveon Williams.

Texas A&M adjustments

The explosive plays are clearly working, but that’s a tough thing to hang your hat on as an offense. Texas A&M needs to find a way to run the football in the second half. Controlling the clock and forcing the Arkansas defense to respect the run will continue to open up the passing lanes for Mond and his receivers.

Arkansas adjustments

Don’t let up. The Aggies have traditionally kept the Razorbacks at arm’s length in the second half of their games. Last year it was Trevor Knight that put the game away with a pair of long touchdown runs. Kellen Mond has already demonstrated he’s capable of the same. Arkansas needs to stay aggressive and continue attacking the porous Aggie defense.

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Outlook

There were 38 points scored in the first half and there probably should have been more. These two teams are going to produce another exciting football game worth the price of admission. After seeing the Aggies come out on top in this game five years running, it’s hard to think they won’t be able to make at least one more play than the Hogs again this year.