Texas A&M Football: 2017 midseason grades by position

With junior Christian Kirk back to lead the charge, the Texas A&M receiving group was expected to be a strength for the program. Kirk has struggled to live up to the preseason hype, which might be largely accounted to breaking in a new quarterback.

Damion Ratley has provided big plays, averaging 25 yards on 12 catches, with Jhamon Ausbon adding 22 receptions for 238 yards. Kirk, meanwhile, leads the team with 29 receptions and 360 yards to go with five touchdowns. Still, most felt like he’d be creating more big plays this year.

Best Game

The only time to date Texas A&M has reached the 300-yard mark through the air came in a 45-21 victory over Louisiana-Lafayette. Kirk had just 34 yards on three catches, as he saved his best for a week later with 110 on five vs. Arkansas. Ratley had a 76-yard catch in the win and Ausbon added 69 yards on four catches.

A total of 11 different players caught passes in the come-from-behind victory, with three different players hauling in touchdowns.

Worst Game

What should have been a great start to the season was derailed by injuries and inefficient quarterback play.

Texas A&M completed 30 percent of its passes for 89 yards – low points to date for the year – as UCLA rallied for a 45-44 win inside the Rose Bowl. The Aggies ran for 382 yards, but their inability to get anything going in the passing game cost them dearly.