No. 19 Texas A&M lost t0 Auburn 26-10 Saturday night at Kyle Field, its’s third loss in four games after opening the season with five straight wins. The earlier losses to Alabama and at Ole Miss could be easily explained. This one, not so much.

Auburn came into College Station reeling and was forced to start much-maligned quarterback Jeremy Johnson at the last minute when injured starter Sean White couldn’t go. Everything was set up nicely for the Aggies, but they suffered three turnovers and could not stop the Auburn running game.

With the loss, A&M is now 3-3 in the SEC and 6-3 overall. Here’s an analysis of the tough loss:

5 TAKEAWAYS

  • Kyler Murray is a freshman: For all his ability both running and throwing, Murray will still play like the freshman he is at crucial times. He threw three interceptions Saturday and  still hasn’t grasped the speed of the game at the college level. When he does, look out. He has as much natural ability as anyone. But for now, there’s still going to be some growing pains.
  • Still can’t stop the run: In the SEC, only South Carolina is worse against the run than Texas A&M. The Aggies were especially bad on Saturday, shredded by the Auburn running game to the tune of 311 yards – well above the 206.8 average the A&M defense had entered the game with. Auburn’s middle-of-the-pack rushing game averaged only 173.6 yards coming into the game.
  • No playing time for QB Kyle Allen: According to coach Kevin Sumlin, Allen did not play Saturday based on practice during the week. Jake Hubenak was next in line for Sumlin when Murray went down with an injury late in Saturday’s game. It’s the second straight game in which Allen has not played. The sophomore from Scottsdale, Ariz., hasn’t thrown a pass since going 12-of-34 with an interception and a QB rating of 8.2 in the loss against Ole Miss. He’s deep on the bench, at least for now.
  • Speedy Noil is back: Missing much of the season with nagging injuries, Noil more of an impact Saturday. The highly-recruited sophomore caught four passes for 30 yards, including a brilliant leaping touchdown catch, and added 118 yards on five kickoff returns.
  • Razor-thin difference in SEC West: There appears to be very little difference between SEC West teams not named Alabama. As if further proof were needed, Saturday’s results said it all. In addition to last-place Auburn defeating A&M, Arkansas beat Ole Miss in Oxford. No team in the division is undefeated and Auburn proved that anyone can win at any time.

REPORT CARD

Offense: (D) – The Aggies rolled up 303 yards of offense, but while Murray moved the team up and down the field, it was three pass interceptions that foiled the effort. Scoring just 10 points is never going to be enough.

Defense: (D-plus) – Considering Auburn piled up 311 yards rushing and totaled 443 yards of offense, the Aggies did well in holding the Tigers to 26 points. It can be the only positive to take away from Saturday’s defensive effort.

Special Teams: (A) – K Taylor Bertolet connected on a 50-yard field goal, his only attempt of the night, and added a successful PAT kick. Noil produced excellent field position with his kick returns, and P Drew Kaiser averaged 41.5 yards on two punts.

Coaching: (C) – Coach Kevin Sumlin’s play calls weren’t the problem; execution in critical times was. But defensive coordinator John Chavis had no answer for Auburn’s running game or passing game and that allowed Auburn to amass an eight-minute edge in time of possession.

Overall: (C) – The Aggies moved the ball well enough to win, but crucial turnovers were hard to overcome. And the defense didn’t do enough to overcome the errors.

GAME PLAN

Murray’s talents were utilized to the fullest both running and throwing, and he kept the Auburn defense off balance much of the night. But the three turnovers were game-changers.  The defensive game plan, however, remains a mystery with Auburn moving the ball at will and keeping A&M’s relentless pass rush from recording a single sack, snapping a 12-game streak.

GAME BALLS

  • RB Tra Carson: The workhorse of the Aggies’ ground game, Carson rushed for 109 yards on 21 carries. It was his second consecutive 100-yard game and the first time he’s gone back-to-back over the 100-yard mark in 33 career games at A&M.
  • QB Jake Hubenak: Coming off the bench for the injured Murray, Hubenak rifled his first career touchdown pass on just his second play. It got the Aggies back in the game late in the third quarter.
  • DB Armani Watts: The sophomore led the Aggies in tackles with 13, including eight solo stops.

INJURY UPDATE

  • QB Kyler Murray left the game late in the third quarter with a head injury and did not return.