What a screwy game. Arkansas has pretty much owned the football, but A&M gets it every now and again and tears down the field.
At the half, Arkansas has held the ball for 23:32 and A&M has had it 6:28. And, in spite of that, yardage is much less one-sided, with Arkansas holding a 228-207 advantage. The Aggies have only had the ball four times, have started twice inside their 5 and have the lead. Pass protection has been a big problem throughout this season, but it hasn't been tonight. Arkansas came in last in the nation in sacks and A&M is stuffing their front four. They're doing the same thing they did against Tech and blitzing all their linebackers up the middle, and A&M is doing what we suspected they might, using drag routes with Christian Kirk to make them pay. Kirk has 3 catches for 130 yards and a score, and he was pretty much responsible for the field goal. The guy may need to make a boneheaded move on special teams more often, because once he does, he explodes.
Kyle Allen has been really good so far, with the exception of that last pass, which was really dumb. He should have thrown that thing away, and he should know better. Outside of that, he's picking on Arkansas when they lay off, and is using the middle of the field to not only Kirk, but RSJ as well.
The rushing game has been non-existent. The Aggies have 9 yards. Then again, they seem to have seen something in the Arkansas defense because they've been in 5-wide sets a lot since their second drive (and they've scored twice in three tries). Still, the defense would probably appreciate it some if they ate some clock.
Arkansas' front dominated most of the first half, but they started to wilt (code for getting busted for holding) after A&M tied the game. The holding is atrocious. Skipper and Kirkland are holding Garrett and Hall virtually every play. In spite of that, they were still just a step away from getting Allen several times, and he did a nice job getting the ball out or running. The last two drives, though, the pocket really started to collapse and things appeared to be changing some. Alex Collins has had some pretty decent runs, but he hasn't broken free like last year. If the Aggies are getting to him, they're putting him down. The missed tackles have been minimal. One thing they need to do, especially Hall, is to not give up the edge to Allen on playaction, because he's cutting back to his right to throw. If Hall stays home, he's going to get a sack or two because Allen won't be able to escape.
The Aggies need to take this ball down the field and score to start the second half. If they can do that, then Arkansas is probably going to start to press. They probably feel like they should be winning right now, but a couple of mistakes and Christian Kirk have them behind. If A&M reinforces the negative vibes, they can really get after them.
At the half, Arkansas has held the ball for 23:32 and A&M has had it 6:28. And, in spite of that, yardage is much less one-sided, with Arkansas holding a 228-207 advantage. The Aggies have only had the ball four times, have started twice inside their 5 and have the lead. Pass protection has been a big problem throughout this season, but it hasn't been tonight. Arkansas came in last in the nation in sacks and A&M is stuffing their front four. They're doing the same thing they did against Tech and blitzing all their linebackers up the middle, and A&M is doing what we suspected they might, using drag routes with Christian Kirk to make them pay. Kirk has 3 catches for 130 yards and a score, and he was pretty much responsible for the field goal. The guy may need to make a boneheaded move on special teams more often, because once he does, he explodes.
Kyle Allen has been really good so far, with the exception of that last pass, which was really dumb. He should have thrown that thing away, and he should know better. Outside of that, he's picking on Arkansas when they lay off, and is using the middle of the field to not only Kirk, but RSJ as well.
The rushing game has been non-existent. The Aggies have 9 yards. Then again, they seem to have seen something in the Arkansas defense because they've been in 5-wide sets a lot since their second drive (and they've scored twice in three tries). Still, the defense would probably appreciate it some if they ate some clock.
Arkansas' front dominated most of the first half, but they started to wilt (code for getting busted for holding) after A&M tied the game. The holding is atrocious. Skipper and Kirkland are holding Garrett and Hall virtually every play. In spite of that, they were still just a step away from getting Allen several times, and he did a nice job getting the ball out or running. The last two drives, though, the pocket really started to collapse and things appeared to be changing some. Alex Collins has had some pretty decent runs, but he hasn't broken free like last year. If the Aggies are getting to him, they're putting him down. The missed tackles have been minimal. One thing they need to do, especially Hall, is to not give up the edge to Allen on playaction, because he's cutting back to his right to throw. If Hall stays home, he's going to get a sack or two because Allen won't be able to escape.
The Aggies need to take this ball down the field and score to start the second half. If they can do that, then Arkansas is probably going to start to press. They probably feel like they should be winning right now, but a couple of mistakes and Christian Kirk have them behind. If A&M reinforces the negative vibes, they can really get after them.
