A week ago, a sluggish start prevented No. 3 Texas A&M from dominating, needing a heroic second half to pull out a win vs. South Carolina.
On Saturday, No. 3 Texas A&M came out swinging with a beatdown of Samford, 48-0.
The Aggies opened up the scoring with a 70-yard touchdown drive. Senior Amari Daniels scampered for a gain of 25 before Marcel Reed hit KC Concepcion for a 17-yard completion. A dime from Reed to Ashton Bethel-Roman put the Ags up, 7-0. Jared Zirkel stepped in to kick the extra point after a shaky appearance from Randy Bond last week.
After the game’s opening score, both offenses traded three-and-out possessions.
On the Samford 2-yard line, Tyreek Chappell almost picked off Quincy Crittendon as another three-and-out followed for the Bulldogs.
A&M remained on Samford’s side of the field as a 16-yard gain from Terry Bussey moved A&M closer to the red zone. Daniels easily converted on fourth-and-1, and Concepcion caught a 6-yard touchdown pass.
The Bulldogs gained just six yards before sending out the punt unit once again.
Just before the first half expired, Reed hit Bethel-Roman in stride for a beautiful 58-yard touchdown pass to post 21 points.
Crittendon completed his first pass of the day to open the second stanza. Yet, the visitors still could not reach the line to gain.
Daniels highlighted A&M’s fourth touchdown drive with a 41-yard rush to surpass 100 yards on the day. Two plays later, the running back was the one to cross the goal line, marking the 16th of his career on Senior Day.
Samford wasted another possession before A&M’s backups entered the game. Intended for Terry Bussey, Miles O’Neill threw deep and was intercepted by Keshawn Washington.
Both offenses failed to move the chains as the second quarter dwindled. Just before the half, Brady Hart completed his first colligate pass to TK Norman, who sped away to pick up 29. On to kick a 36-yard field goal, Zirkel missed it wide right.
A&M’s offense quickly got the ball back, and Hart orchestrated a 40-yard drive before being stopped inside the red zone. A&M sent Zirkel back out the kick a field goal, making a 25-yarder to take a 31-0 lead into halftime.
Back in action, Samford still could not find the first down marker. O’Neill returned under center, running the offense on an 11-play, 59-yard touchdown march. True freshman running back Tiger Riden Jr. saw some reps, hauling five times for 26 yards and punching in the score to end the drive.
Samford finally moved the chains with a gadget play and moved into A&M territory for the first time on the same drive. On third down, the Bulldogs failed to convert and elected to kick a field goal. Landon Rink blocked it, and Jayvon Thomas ran it back 41 yards.
With the ball on the Samford 34-yard line, A&M’s offense sputtered. It took seven plays for the Aggies to find 12 yards. Zirkel was sent out to kick a 39-yard field goal, where he knocked it through.
After Samford’s 10th punt of the day, Jacob Zeno came out to operate the offense, but the home squad went three and out.
Nana Boadi-Owusu and Marco Jones both recorded a sack on the Bulldogs’ ensuing drive. On offense, Preston Landis received a couple of carries, capping off A&M’s 50-yard drive by scoring from two yards out.
After losing a yard of total offense, Samford punted again, but reclaimed the ball as Izaiah Williams muffed it. With two minutes to go, Samford could not punch in the score, missing a 38-yard field goal.
RUMBLED: Texas A&M starters scored touchdowns on four of five drives. The Aggies jumped out to a quick lead with Marcel Reed at quarterback, throwing for 120 yards and three touchdowns. With his Heisman campaign up and running, Reed’s 58-yard touchdown pass to Ashton Bethel-Roman was a thing of beauty.
STUMBLED: After Randy Bond missed two field goals last week, including one from 24, Jared Zirkel took over kicking responsibilities, yet he missed a 36-yard field goal in the second quarter. He later made a 39-yarder, but A&M left points on the board against Samford. Against stiffer competition, that could cost the Aggies.
TURNING POINT: This one was never in doubt. The Aggies came out and threw punches as Reed threw three touchdown passes and the defense forced a trio of three-and-outs in the first quarter.
UNSUNG HERO: On a day that plenty of young bucks saw action, Tiger Riden Jr. flashed. Leading the team in carries, the true freshman's first touch of the day was supposed to be a 36-yard gain, but it was called back at the spot of the foul due to a holding call. Riden finished with 11 attempts for 45 yards and a touchdown.
KEY STAT: Texas A&M outgained the Bulldogs, 475-77. It marks the first time holding an opponent under 100 yards since 1996. The Aggies also pitched their first shutout since blanking Sam Houston in the 2022 season opener.
Scoring Summary
First-quarter
A&M: 11:34 - Marcel Reed 3-yard touchdown pass to Ashton Bethel-Roman. Drive: 7 plays, 70 yards. TOP 3:24. Texas A&M 7, Samford 0
A&M: 3:53 - Marcel Reed 6-yard touchdown pass to KC Concepcion. Drive: 11 plays, 49 yards. TOP 4:43. Texas A&M 14, Samford 0
A&M: 00:06 - Marcel Reed 58-yard touchdown pass to Ashton Bethel-Roman. Drive: 4 plays, 79 yards. TOP 1:32. Texas A&M 21, Samford 0
Second-quarter
A&M: 12:19 - Amari Daniels 1-yard rushing touchdown. Drive: 4 plays, 64 yards. TOP 1:41. Texas A&M 28, Samford 0
A&M: 0:03 - Jared Zirkel 25-yard field goal. Drive: 7 plays, 40 yards. TOP 0:45. Texas A&M 31, Samford 0
Third-quarter
A&M: 8:28 - Tiger Riden Jr. 1-yard rushing touchdown. Drive: 11 plays, 59 yards. TOP 5:09. Texas A&M 38, Samford 0
Fourth-quarter
A&M: 14:55 - Jared Zirkel 39-yard field goal. Drive: 7 plays, 12 yards. TOP 3:31. Texas A&M 41, Samford 0
A&M: 5:50 - Preston Landis 2-yard rushing touchdown. Drive: 10 plays, 50 yards. TOP 4:32. Texas A&M 48, Samford 0
