Texas A&M takes advantage of muffed punt, opens scoring vs. Arizona State
By Sydney Hunte
Published:
Texas A&M took advantage of a bit of misfortune by Arizona State to turn a slow offensive start into the first points of the game at Kyle Field.
The Aggies, facing the Sun Devils in Saturday’s Red, White, and Blue Game in College Station, forced the visitors into back-to-back three-and-outs. But A&M’s offense was equally limited, punting twice after failing to pick up first downs on its first two drives.
Thanks to a special teams mistake by Arizona State, though, the Aggies took the lead. Tyler White’s punt sailed to the Sun Devils’ 16-yard line, where Cory Butler was waiting for it. But the sophomore couldn’t make the catch, and the ball eventually made its way to the 8-yard-line before the Aggies fell on it.
A few plays later, Texas A&M was on the board. Rueben Owens took it up the middle and found the end zone from two yards out as the Aggies opened up a 7-0 lead with just under five minutes to go in the first quarter.
Texas A&M is playing its third-ever Red, White, and Blue Game, as it commemorates the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks and the 250th anniversary of American independence. The Aggies are wearing helmets with the A&M logo in red, white, and blue, while the midfield logo is painted in those colors as well.
Sydney is an Atlanta-based journalist who has covered everything from SEC and ACC football to MLS, the U.S. men's national soccer team and professional tennis. His work has appeared on such platforms as SB Nation, Cox Media Group and FanSided.
