More often than not, the Southwest Classic results in a close hard-fought showdown between former Southwest Conference and now SEC rivals. Three of the previous four meetings between Texas A&M and Arkansas went to overtime. Saturday’s 24-17 final in favor of the Aggies was another nailbiter in a 75-game history that dates back to 1903.

It wasn’t secured for Texas A&M until Donovan Wilson picked off a pass on Arkansas’ final drive.

The victory was much harder to accomplish than most anticipated. Here are five things I liked about the Aggies’ seventh consecutive victory over the Razorbacks, most in series history, and three things that Texas A&M needs to improve.

Things I like

A&M set a record with a seventh straight win over Arkansas; the Aggies won six straight from 1938-43.

1. Fast start: A&M couldn’t have asked for a better start in a big SEC rivalry. What better way to open things up than with a 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown? Jashaun Corbin electrified the AT&T Stadium crowd by taking the opening kickoff the distance. Then after a three-and-out stand from the Aggies’ defense (one of seven), the offense drove 79 yards in nine plays to lead 14-0 before the Razorbacks managed their initial first down. In fact, the Aggies added a field goal early in the second quarter and led 17-0 before Arkansas recorded a first down.

2. Rush defense: The Aggies completely shut down any semblance of an Arkansas run game and that really was the difference. The Aggies yielded just 55 yards on the ground, an average of 2.1 yards per carry. Six Aggies players recorded tackles for loss, with defensive tackle Daylon Mack leading the charge (with two). He came up big on a third-down stop for a loss after the Aggies turned the ball over in the first quarter.

3. Trayveon Williams: The Aggies’ running back was brilliant in churning out 152 yards and two touchdowns on a career-high 29 carries against an Arkansas defense that led the SEC against the run. The Hogs were yielding just 88.25 rushing yards per game. Credit the Aggies’ offensive line for controlling the line of scrimmage, allowing Williams to average 5.2 yards per carry on Saturday and help the Aggies possess the ball for nearly 37 minutes.

Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

4. Sophomore receivers have career days: Both Hezekiah Jones and Camron Buckley had career days as the Aggies continue to develop a receiving corps. Jones caught four passes for 33 yards, both career highs. Buckley hauled in a career-high five passes for 72 yards.

5. Bookend play: Senior DEs Landis Durham and Kingsley Keke set season highs with 1.5 sacks each. The Aggies have been known the past several years for their bookend play along the defensive front. Durham now has a team-leading 13 career sacks and Keke is second with 7.5.

Things that need improvement

1. Inability to put the game away: After opening up a 17-0 lead early in the second quarter, the Aggies did not put away Arkansas. The Razorbacks took advantage, answering with 10 points and pulling within a touchdown early in the third quarter.

2. Red zone difficulties: The game could have long since been decided had it not been for A&M’s red zone problems. The Aggies penetrated the Arkansas 20 on five occasions but three times had to settle for field goal attempts, and kicker Seth Small missed twice. Another drive reached the Arkansas 23-yard line before an interception again left the Aggies with no points.

3. Kellen Mond interceptions: He completed 17-of-26 passes for 201 yards, but Mond threw two ill-advised passes into the arms of Razorbacks LB Dre Greenlaw. The first one squandered good field position and the second killed an impressive drive early in the second quarter. Mond must take better care of the football.