A&M GRINDS OUT WIN OVER LSU 20-7

LSU travels to College Station to take on the No. 5 Aggies in what many believe will be a one sided event for the Aggies. Texas A&M comes into the contest with 16 sacks through six games. The Tigers have just as many sacks through six games as well, however, A&M has allowed just two sacks compared to LSU’s 14.

The Aggies do have one of the best defensive fronts in college football, and are converting nearly 63 percent on third down, an SEC best. Lead by an impressive rushing attack in Isaiah Spiller and a quarterback that can gash defenses if he gets outside the pocket, Kellen Mond.

The LSU offense has looked impressive, averaging over 34 points a game. While the defense looks to be taking steps in wrong direction, it has shown some bright spots recently. Holding off an Arkansas team on the rise.

The Tigers won the toss and deferred until the second half. Right away this defense has shown up for LSU, holding the Aggies to a three and out. The Tigers would get the ball, and after a short drive would give it back to the Aggies on downs. A&M working with a short field, would walk away with only three points. The Tigers defense held strong.

On the next three offensive possessions for the Tigers, they were forced to go three and out. A rare stat for the Tigers, having back-to-back-to-back three and outs. LSU would have two such stat lines on the night.

Aggie running back Isaiah Spiller would bust off a huge 52 yard rush right at the end of the first quarter to give the Aggies a 10-0 lead over the Tigers. The Tigers punted again and the Aggies were driving, and on 4th and short Micah Baskerville forced a fumble on Aggie quarterback Kellen Mond, who was diving over the pile for the first down. Isaiah Spiller recovered it for a loss of 15. LSU looked to get back in the driver’s seat. A pass to Terrace Marshall broke for a big gain of 54 yards, set the Tigers up at the Aggie 31. However, two plays later a quarterback hurry by Aaron Hansford and a tipped ball lead to an interception by Jaylon Jones. “We couldn’t find our rhythm” said Ed Orgeron. “We put in Max to have some running plays, but I thought our offense didn’t have a good day.”

Offensively the Tigers were not able to sustain drives tonight. The running game which has been able to help out if one of the quarterbacks is struggling, was only able to muster 36 yards. “I thought we were going to catch fire,” said Orgeron. “But, we never did, we got them to go three and out. Then we’d get a drive and stop.”

The offensive line had issues all day identifying where the blitz was coming from. They’d slide protection to one side of the field and the Aggies would blitz a safety or delay a linebacker to get pressure on Finley. Getting to the quarterback with three and four man fronts, the Aggies were able to disguise where they were sending pressure from. Sometimes walking eight men up to the line then having them bail into coverage before the snap to confuse the young passer, and the offensive line.

A touchdown pass to Kayshon Boutte that could have made it 10-7 early in the game, was overturned and ruled incomplete. “I thought he had it,” said Orgeron. “I thought he had it when he crossed the goal line. But they’re not going to listen to me.” Referring to the replay officials.  

The play of the defense kept the Tigers in this game. Which is something that I both love and hate writing at the same time. I love it because I get to write about the Tigers defense, I hate it because it’s week ten and here we are finally seeing what this Tigers defense is possibly capable of.

Final score: Texas A&M 20 – LSU 7

LSU is at home next week to take on Bama