Rapid reaction: Auburn conquers Texas A&M behind Jeremy Johnson
Here are some quick thoughts on Auburn’s surprising 26-10 win over Texas A&M on Saturday:
What it means: Texas A&M was just about to recover from its mid-season slide when Auburn showed up. Unfortunately for the Aggies, it wasn’t the Auburn team that we’ve seen for most of the season. Auburn resembled the team everyone expected after all the preseason hype and Texas A&M was not up to the challenge.
What I liked: Tiger fans shouldn’t have worried that Jeremy Johnson was back in the game, because Gus Malzahn finally knew how to utilize him effectively. Knowing that Johnson would face Myles Garrett and the A&M pass rush, quick screen passes, handoffs and running on the perimeter was a successful strategy. When the Auburn offense was uptempo, balanced and involved a large mix of different offensive weapons, it suddenly looked like the offense we expected at the beginning of the 2015 season.
What I didn’t like: While stopping Auburn’s running attack was a struggle for the Texas A&M defense all night – except for in the red zone – the true disaster was Kyler Murray’s three interceptions, most of which were a result of poor decision-making. With two interceptions coming near the end zone, Aggies fans have to wonder if they would be celebrating a victory if those interceptions had instead been completions.
Who’s the man: Auburn running back Jovon Robinson broke 100 yards rushing before the first half was even over. After Murray’s first interception, Robinson exploded for a 45-yard run and he never looked back. He carried the ball 27 times and ended the evening with 159 yards.
Key play: During Texas A&M’s first possession of the second half, Murray and the offense were feeling the pressure to respond to Auburn with some points. However, on a third-and-3, Murray’s pass intended for Christian Kirk was intercepted by Auburn’s Blake Countess.
What’s next: After its best game of the season, Auburn is back on track towards becoming bowl eligible. The Tigers travel home to face Georgia next week. Texas A&M gets a break in conference play next Saturday when they welcome Western Carolina to College Station. However, the Aggies will be concerned with the status of Murray, who took a heavy hit towards the end of the third quarter and left the game.
Just give him the Heisman already! One game is more than enough! Lol
Were you waiting all game to write this
Yep. Not even gonna lie!
I didn’t watch the game. But the scores says y’all were in control. In all seriousness, congrats on the win.
As friendly as I can be to a Bama fan congrats to your team also. Y’all shut fournette down!
Lol
What I didn’t like was the obviously bad Texas A&M run defense? Please.
Try Auburn in the red zone. That was poor execution and we’re lucky to have this one.
Props to Muschamp’s defense for showing up. Georgia is officially put on notice.
Solid win. Auburn controlled the game in every aspect and emptied Kyle Field early. Johnson was solid and efficient, the defense was tough and hello Jovon Robinson. Tighten up in the red zone offense and they blow them out.
It’s time for A&M coaching staff to pack up. Season after season the team is becoming more and more mediocre. Not to take anything away from Auburn, they came with a plan, executed it perfectly. The surprising part for Aggies is that Offense has been horrible over the last few games and it is just downhill from this point onwards. We will always be the team who beats mediocre team by big numbers but fails to show up on big games!!
I just have to say it’s so great to see JJ redeem himself after a truly subpar start to the season. I’ve been saying all along that he’s really just 6 bad decisions from being THE MAN and then the heisman talk is back. Whether or not that would translate to a different team record to this point remains to be seen. Regardless though, JJ is finally coming into his own. He still has some work to do, but I’m backing him 100%. Us Capital city folks gotta stick together and uplift our own. Montgomery is rooting for you JJ. Now let’s put that win behind us. We’re on to Georgia.