It took a little time to get started, but Texas A&M took care of business on Saturday, methodically handling Conference USA opponent UTSA, 45-14, early Saturday at Kyle Field.
Bowl-eligible for an 11th consecutive season, the Aggies were convincing in their effort. Here are five things I liked about the victory, and three more things I didn’t like about it.
Things I liked
1. Isaiah Spiller
With his breakout game, Spiller tied the Aggies’ freshman single-game rushing record of 217 yards, set by Trayveon Williams. Spiller played until early in the fourth quarter, when the reserves took over. Spiller enjoyed a big game, running to daylight on 20 carries, and is beginning to settle in as the Aggies’ featured running back.
2. Run blocking
It didn’t start out that way, but as a group, the Aggies offensive line opened huge running lanes for Spiller and Cordarrian Richardson to gallop through. It was a much-needed positive result for a group still trying to jell as a unit. It paved the way for 60- and 50-yard touchdown runs by Spiller, who added another long run in averaging 10.9 yards per carry. Richardson also ripped off a 19-yard run.
3. Pressure defense
The Aggies were able to apply pressure with four rushers, and although there were some problems with containment on the UTSA QBs, the Aggies secondary kept a close eye on Roadrunners receivers, resulting in minimal yardage. UTSA managed just 138 yards passing on an 11-for-25 game that included one interception.
4. Bowl-eligible
With just three games left on the regular-season schedule, a sixth win was critical. That’s because after a bye week, the Aggies host South Carolina in what appears to be a toss-up, then must hit the road for the final two games at Georgia and LSU.
5. Braden Mann
Mister Consistency comes through again. The Aggies punter didn’t have many opportunities to punt, but he took full advantage of all three. Mann averaged 50.3 yards per punt, including a 59-yarder. He also boomed six kickoffs, two for touchbacks, and averaged 62.8 yards.
Things I didn’t like
1. Slow start
Yeah, it was an 11 a.m. start, but UTSA had things going its way until the Aggies decided to wake up after spotting the Roadrunners a 7-0 lead. Early on, it was UTSA that looked like the team trying to become bowl-eligible. The Roadrunners went 67 yards on six plays midway through the first quarter to take a lead over the sluggish home team.
2. Containing UTSA QB
The Aggies had trouble, especially early, in keeping LSU transfer Lowell Narcisse under wraps. He pretty much had his way in the opening quarter, driving the Roadrunners to the game’s first score. Until being injured early in the fourth quarter, Narcisse was effective running the ball when the Aggies secondary had his receivers blanketed.
Narcisse was 7-for-14 for 90 yards, but he led the Roadrunners in rushing with 54 yards on a team-high 15 carries.
3. Calzada pick-6
While the Aggies were enjoying a big victory, backup QB Zach Calzada did not share in that celebration. The Aggies desperately need to develop a quarterback who can play meaningful snaps if needed, and also looking forward to next season. So it was disappointing when Calzada threw a wobbler across the field that was easily intercepted and taken to the house.
Glenn Sattell is an award-winning freelance writer for Saturday Down South.
