OFFENSE: C-
What went right: Jorvorskie Lane picked up a sluggish offense with six straight carries for 34 yards to run out the clock. He had four runs for first downs and the Aggies as a team had only 14 first downs. A&M averaged a season-best 4.6 yards per carry despite missing senior offensive tackle Travis Schneider, who was replaced by junior Robbie Frost. A&M didn't allow a sack, and Jeff Fuller's 42-yard touchdown catch prevented A&M's offense from getting skunked in the first half. Cyrus Gray's 60-yard run helped A&M build a 21-10 lead.
What went wrong: Failing to pick up a first down in the first three possessions allowed Army's methodical offense to dictate the game's tempo. A&M wasted a chance to take control after Fuller's touchdown when Jerrod Johnson threw an interception on the next possession, A&M's lone turnover. In the third quarter, the Aggies were in position to answer Army's field goal after a gritty 26-yard reception by Ryan Tannehill, but the Aggies lost yardage on three straight plays and punted.
Bottom line: A&M's offense scored 14 points. That's not going to get it done in the Big 12 Conference, which has five teams in the nation's Top 10 in scoring (A&M plays four of them).
DEFENSE: C
What went right: Junior end Paul Freeney and freshman free safety Trent Hunter teamed up for a most unusual Wrecking Crew. Freeney (with help from Matt Moss) had a fourth-down stop of the fullback on Army's last possession that prevented this game from getting dicey. Freeney's 58-yard fumble return for a touchdown with 7 seconds left in the half cut the grumbling in the stands as A&M took a 14-7 lead. Hunter, meanwhile, had 17 tackles in his first start. A&M's solid tackling allowed Army to have only one play of more than 13 yards.
What went wrong: Army rushed for 280 yards on 65 carries, losing yardage on only four plays. The Aggies had three personal foul penalties for 39 yards on Army's game-tying 84-yard touchdown drive. Then A&M added a personal foul penalty on the extra point. Army was 10 of 17 on third downs, allowing it to keep the ball for 36 minutes, 46 seconds.
Bottom line: The Aggies needed more playmakers like Hunter or more big plays like the one Freeney delivered to keep this one from becoming a four-quarter game.
SPECIAL TEAMS: C+
What went right: The Aggies didn't have any glaring mistakes. Punter Justin Brantly got a couple nice rolls for long punts, but he shanked one for 10 yards when he needed to pin Army deep in its territory.
What went wrong: Jordan Pugh had a tough time returning punts looking into the sun, allowing one to fly over his head, then fumbling another which he recovered.
Bottom line: It was a quiet day in the kicking game, and that's good for A&M.
COACHING: C
What went right: Lane's play energized the team and the fans. A&M continues to have cohesion, despite all the injuries, especially at quarterback. Starting Hunter at free safety put a speedy defender on the field who had a nose for the ball.
What went wrong: The Aggies needed a good start but had 1 yard or less on six of their first nine offensive plays. That allowed an inferior team to gain confidence and hang around until the end.
Bottom line: A&M will need a much better start next week against Oklahoma State.
OVERALL: C-
What went right: The Aggies won. It's hard to envision what Aggieland would be like had A&M lost.
What went wrong: It was a close game, and Army deserves credit for playing well on the road before 84,090, but the Aggies brought out the best in another opponent without bringing out their own best.
Bottom line: A&M made improvement in several areas last week, but that wasn't the case against Army, which played a rare meaningful fourth quarter. The Aggies may need to get healthier before they can get better.
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Posted by: On: 9/28/2008
Comment Title: Attendance
There were not 84,000+ at Kyle Field yesterday. Not even close.
