The Fightin’ Texas Aggies returned this past Saturday at Kyle Field to deliver a comfortable win, defeating Utah State 44–22. This victory improved the Maroon & White’s record to 2–0 and was a great building block for what is to come next week in South Bend. This past weekend, we were able to showcase both the depth and versatility of this team.
After going over the film and breaking it down, here are my takeaways.
The Good
Offensive Line: Through the first two games of this season, the offensive line has not allowed a single sack. While the opponents we have played may not be SEC caliber, this efficiency should not go unnoticed. A good offensive line is essential for an offense to be multidimensional. Strong quarterback protection allows young, growing quarterbacks to build rhythm, confidence and trust in their teammates. A prime example of how impactful great offensive line play can be is the 2020 Orange Bowl team. That group almost won the Joe Moore Award, and as a part of that team, I can tell you that the offensive line was the backbone of our success. This season’s group is experienced and has similar depth to what the 2020 team had. If this group can stay healthy, they can be a unit we rely on throughout the season.
Defensive Line: Defensively, the front seven took major strides in production this week. In this game, they recorded six sacks. The standout in the front seven was, of course, Cashius Howell, who had three sacks on three consecutive plays, something that hasn’t been done in college football since 2015. Another impressive player for me was sophomore Sam M’Pemba, who added a sack and a forced fumble in the red zone, stopping a Utah State drive late in the game. Moving forward, the Aggies will need to be consistent with their pressure up front, especially in next week’s matchup against Notre Dame.
Marcel Reed: The signal caller continued to impress me this week. Against Utah State, Reed went 19-of-28 for 220 yards, threw three touchdown passes and ran for another before exiting in the third quarter after being banged up. Reed’s ability to read defenses, make smart decisions and execute under pressure will need to be consistent for the Aggies to have success this season. His performance through two games has been steady, but I am really looking for him to take a big step against a top-tier opponent like Notre Dame. This next week will tell us a lot about the type of year this will be for Reed and Texas A&M’s offense.
Receivers: The receiving unit continues to be dynamic and versatile. KC Concepcion, Mario Craver and Terry Bussey all had great performances in this week’s game, each contributing significantly in the passing attack. Having multiple weapons who can make plays in space and stretch the field opens Collin Klein’s playbook, allowing him to be more creative with his play-calling. This group is not one-dimensional. They can hurt you from all over the field. I am excited to see what Klein does to get them even more involved moving forward.
Run Game: This week was exactly what I wanted to see from our running back room. The unit as a whole had 45 rushes for 235 yards and two touchdowns. That’s over five yards per carry between six backs who all had multiple touches. This success was largely due to great offensive line play, but our backs have been taking full advantage of their opportunities. While we all know that this group has elite talent, a young standout for me was freshman Jamarion Morrow. I was very impressed with his quickness and instinctual running. When I analyze a young running back, I want to see a guy who runs downhill, makes smart, quick decisions and consistently gains positive yardage. Oftentimes, young running backs try to do too much early on in their careers, creating TFLs and lost yardage. With Morrow, that doesn’t seem to be the case. He is going to be an essential piece of depth for the running back room this year and will be a great leader in the years to come.
Special Teams: Special teams play continues to be solid for the Aggies. Their ability to win the field position battle, combined with efficient returns and coverage, provided the offense with great starting spots and helped the defense by limiting the opponent’s opportunities with a short field. Special teams yards are oftentimes overlooked, but when you play against good teams throughout the season, those hidden yards can win or lose ball games.
Notre Dame Preview: A Tough Road Ahead
Looking at this upcoming week, the Aggies face their first real test of the year in No. 8 Notre Dame. The Fighting Irish, looking to bounce back after a loss to Miami in Week 1, are a talented and well-coached team. They are led by freshman quarterback CJ Carr, who I do think is talented but also inconsistent and inexperienced. Their running back, Jeremiyah Love, is the heart and soul of their offense and a significant threat in the ground game.
Defensively, Notre Dame boasts a strong front seven, led by a tough linebacker corps that brings a sharp edge to the middle of the field. Their defensive line is full of veterans who will be a tough test for our offensive line. Furthermore, on the back end, the defensive backs for Notre Dame are a very talented group, possibly the most talented secondary we’ll face all season, with Leonard Moore being the standout.
For the Aggies to succeed next week, these are my top three keys to winning:
- Receivers must win 1-on-1 battles against elite defensive backs. Notre Dame will try to play a lot of man coverage so they can stack the box against our rushing attack. If our receivers can’t make the Irish respect the pass, we’ll be playing right into their hands, giving them freedom to bring pressure with blitzes and disguised looks. Concepcion, Craver and the rest of the receiver room will need to play their best football.
- Win in the trenches. The offensive line must help Reed get comfortable on the road and, along with our tight ends, create running lanes. Defensively, we need to generate pressure and disrupt Carr’s rhythm. Anytime you can rattle a young quarterback, you can throw an entire offense out of sync. Howell and the rest of the front seven will need to step up in a big way.
- Eliminate self-inflicted errors. Penalties and turnovers will be critical. Notre Dame is disciplined, and we cannot afford to give them extra opportunities on their home field. Momentum will be crucial, and handing them extra chances is a recipe for disaster.
Final Thoughts
The victory over Utah State was a solid performance, but the real test lies ahead in South Bend. The Aggies have the talent and depth to compete with Notre Dame, but it will require a complete team effort to pull off this win on the road. While a single game does not define a season, an early road game like this is an opportunity you have to take advantage of. It’s the type of matchup that can change the course of a season. Now it’s time for the Aggies to prove that the Mike Elko era is in full swing.
Gig ’Em and BTHO Notre Dame.
