Texas A&M couldn’t muster a single point in the second half of Saturday night’s game at LSU, getting a narrow halftime lead slip away en route to a 19-7 loss in Death Valley. With the defeat, the Aggies finished the regular season with an 8-4 overall record, and just 4-4 in the SEC.
Here’s an analysis of the A&M loss:
5 TAKEAWAYS
- LSU defense imposed its will on the Aggies offense: Texas a&M had no running game, compiling just 89 yards on the ground. In addition, the Tigers defense pressured QB Kyle Allen all night long while their secondary blanketed Aggies receivers, making it difficult to complete a pass. Allen was just 15-for-31 passing for 161 yards and one interception. Jake Hubenak was 0-for-3 off the bench.
- The Tigers own Texas A&M since its move to the SEC: Saturday’s loss marked the fifth consecutive defeat to LSU, and fourth in a row since Texas A&M joined the SEC in 2012. It was the fewest points the Aggies have scored against LSU in this series since being shut out 27-0 in 1988. Texas A&M hasn’t beaten LSU since 1995 and hasn’t won in Baton Rouge since 1994.
- The LSU running game isn’t limited to just Leonard Fournette: As if slowing down the former Heisman frontrunner weren’t tough enough, Fournette churned up 159 yards and scored one touchdown on 29 carries. But the Tigers also unveiled a second star in the making. Tigers RB Darrius Guice, a strong-running true freshman, rolled up 73 yards on just 10 carries – including an electrifying 50-yard dash.
- SEC difficulties continue: Saturday’s loss left Texas A&M with a 4-4 record in SEC play. The Aggies haven’t had a winning record in the conference since their inaugural season of 2012, when they went 6-2 and tied for second in the SEC West. Since then, they haven’t finished better than fourth place. In the past three years, they are a combined 11-13 in conference play.
- Don’t listen to the media: All week long, all we heard from the media was that LSU coach Les Miles would be fired shortly after Saturday’s game. Fans cheered their coach and made signs pledging their loyalty. The team played inspired football and even carried Miles off the field, presumably for the last time, on their shoulders. But it was announced shortly after the game that Miles would be retained as LSU’s head coach, the win over A&M likely swaying the decision-makers.
REPORT CARD
Offense: (D-minus) – The Aggies did nothing after going 80 yards in seven plays for a first-quarter touchdown that gave them a 7-6 lead. The Aggies gained no more than 10 yards in five of the seven drives that followed. The Aggies were just 4-for-15 in third-down conversion attempts and failed on both fourth-down conversion tries.
Defense: (B-minus) – Though it got worn down in the latter stages of the game, the Aggies defense played well enough to win. It limited LSU to just 5-of-15 third-down attempts and held the Tigers’ passing game under 100 yards (83).
Special Teams: (D) – Only a 52-yard average on six punts from Drew Kaser kept this grade from being even lower. The Aggies did not cover kickoffs or punts very well. They allowed LSU to average 48.5 yards on two kick returns, plus a 13.5-yard average on two punt returns.
Coaching: (C) – Coaching wasn’t the problem, execution was. The Aggies had a good balance between run and pass, running 33 times and throwing it 31. The philosophy on defense was an easy one to formulate against LSU’s one-dimensional offense. Again, executing the plan wasn’t as simple. Ground and pound produced enough for the Tigers to claim victory.
Overall: (C) – Better execution on offense could have changed the outcome. It was a good effort overall, but there wasn’t enough offense to put the necessary points on the scoreboard.
GAME PLAN
A good mix of run/pass on offense kept LSU honest on defense. However, three turnovers proved costly. The Aggies have proven to be a team in 2015 that has difficulty overcoming their mistakes.
GAME BALLS
- RB Tra Carson: The team’s leading rusher, Carson did the majority of the heavy lifting on offense. He rushed 19 times for 69 of the Aggies’ 89 rushing yards.
- WR Christian Kirk : As a wide receiver, rusher, and kick returner, Kirk accounted for 130 all-purpose yards, breaking the school’s freshman single-season record (1,659).
- LB Shaan Washington: With 13 total tackles on Saturday, Washington set game- and career-highs. He had 1.5 tackles for loss.
INJURY UPDATE
QB Kyle Allen was injured late in the game and did not return.
Glenn Sattell is an award-winning freelance writer for Saturday Down South.
