COLLEGE STATION, Texas (KBTX) – There has been a stigma around football matchups between Texas A&M and Arkansas in recent history — no matter the records or rankings, the game would always be close.
Saturday’s 34-7 Aggie win over the Razorbacks could be an indication that moving this series away from AT&T Stadium might flip that script. It was the largest margin of victory for the Aggies since 2012 and tied for the sixth-largest A&M margin of victory in the series all-time.
Individually, things improved from the previous two games for A&M.
Monday, Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko gave his players of the week from the Arkansas game:
Offensive lineman: Wilkin FormbyDefensive lineman: DE TJ SearcyDefense: S Tawfiq ByardOffense: RB KJ EdwardsSpecial teams: K David Olano
Here are grades for each position group from KBTX senior A&M sportswriter Travis L. Brown, Pro Football Focus and Iron College Football:
OFFENSE (PFF 76.0 overall grade)
QUARTERBACKS
Brown: BPFF: 54.1 passing gradeThe game plan clearly tried to reduce the impact quarterback Marcel Reed had on the offense and it worked. Reed still struggled with accuracy at times, but did enough in the passing game to get a win. His rushing game was an improvement. Reed’s PFF grades:67.1 offensive grade51.4 passing grade75.8 rushing grade57.9 passing under pressureNo big-time throws, one turnover-worthy passThree pressured drop backs
RUNNING BACKS
Brown: A-PFF: 75.1 rushing gradeFreshmen KJ Edwards and Carsyn Baker have emerged as real contenders for a bulk of the rushing load moving forward. It will be interesting to see how much of this success was a bad Arkansas defense or true growth in the run game. Top rushers per PFF: KJ Edwards (16 snaps): 84.1 rushing grade.Rueben Owens II (39 snaps): 59.7 rushing grade.Carsyn Baker (14 snaps): 57.9 rushing grade.
WIDE RECEIVERS
Brown: B-PFF: 58.7 receiving gradeWeren’t as much a part of the game plan as weeks prior and are struggling with injuries. Reed, at times, isn’t helping them out with passing accuracy. Did enough to win the game. Top receivers per PFF:TK Norman (27 snaps): 69.9 receiving grade.Mario Craver (14 snaps): 67.9 receiving grade.Isaiah Horton (50 snaps): 57.9 receiving grade.Ashton Bethel-Roman (39 snaps): 52.2 receiving grade.
TIGHT ENDS
Brown: BPFF: N/AHouston Thomas factored into the passing game and Kiotti Armstrong had a great explosive play. Run blocking has been a big improvement for this group. Top tight ends per PFF: Kiotti Armstrong (17 snaps): 82.8 overall offense, 81.9 receiving, 63.3 run block, 69.7 pass block.Houston Thomas (25 snaps): 58.0 overall offense, 56.1 receiving, 61.5 run block, 69.8 pass block.Richie Anderson III (32 snaps): 51.4 overall offense, 52.2 run block, 68.8 pass block.Micah Riley (22 snaps): 43.7 overall offense, 59.6 receiving, 42.8 run block.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Brown: BPFF: 72.8 pass block, 60.1 run blockRun blocking has improved and Reed only faced three pressured drop backs in the game. Top blockersRun block:Mark Nabou Jr. (60 snaps): 71.9 grade.Blake Ivy (22 snaps): 70.3 grade.Wilkin Formby (60 snaps): 60.6 grade.Tyler Thomas (25 snaps): 59.7 grade.Pass block: Mark Nabou Jr.: 82.7 grade.Wilkin Formby: 79.4 gradeLamont Rogers (51 snaps): 78.0 gradeBlake Ivy: 66.4 grade.DEFENSE (PFF 74.5 overall grade)
DEFENSIVE LINE
Brown: BPFF: 65.0 pass rush, 80.5 run defenseA&M produced 11 total pressures against the Razorbacks and held them to 103 rushing yards in the game. Top pass rushers per PFF: Marco Jones (27 snaps): 74.1 grade, 6 pressures.Anto Saka (26 snaps): 71.4 grade, 3 pressures.Ryan Henderson (10 snaps): 70.5 grade.CJ Mims (18 snaps): 62.6 grade.DJ Hicks (25 snaps): 58.3 grade, 1 pressure.
LINEBACKERS
Brown: BPFF: 80.5 run defense, 77.9 overall tacklingDaymion Sanford made his biggest contributions of the season, which added to A&M’s rotation at the position. Arkansas had a 57.2% success rate on rushes in the game. Aggies had a 17.4% havoc rate. Top LB defenders per PFF:Ray Coney (19 snaps): 76.4 grade.Daymion Sanford (32 snaps): 67.7 grade.Noah Mikhail (35 snaps): 67.2 grade.
DEFENSIVE BACKS
Brown: BPFF: 69.7 coverage grade.Arkansas’ EPA per play on passing downs was 0% in the game and the Razorbacks had a 31.3% pass success rate. However, Julio Humphrey was muscled off a wide receiver for a second straight game, resulting in a touchdown. Top coverage grades for DBs per PFF:NB Jordan Shaw (23 snaps): 79.5 grade, 2 targets, 1 reception, 0 yards.S Dalton Brooks (44 snaps): 69.7 grade, 2 targets, 0 receptions, 0 yards.CB Dezz Ricks (46 snaps): 67.9 grade, 1 target, 0 receptions 0 yardsNB Bravion Rogers (23 snaps): 65.7 grade, 2 targets, 0 receptions, 0 yards.S Chance Collins (11 snaps): 61.7 grade, 0 targets, 0 receptions, 0 yards.S Marcus Ratcliffe (32 snaps): 59.8 grade, 2 targets, 2 receptions, 16 yards.Tawfiq Bayard (16 snaps): 55.4 grade, 1 target, 1 reception, 10 yards.Julio Humphrey (46 snaps): 46.9 grade, 7 targets, 4 receptions, 56 yards.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Brown: APFF: 67.8 special teams gradeKicker David Olano is a breath of fresh air for A&M fans after last season’s kicking struggles. He hit a pair of 50-yarders, including a new career-long 57-yard field goal.
TOP OFFENSIVE PLAYER PER PFF: RB KJ Edwards – 87.3 grade.
TOP DEFENSIVE PLAYER PER PFF: NB Jordan Shaw – 79.5 grade.
TOP OFFENSIVE PLAYERS BY EPA PER IRON CFB:
QB Marcel Reed: +12.7RB KJ Edwards: +7.6TE Kiotti Armstrong: +3.9WR TK Norman: +3.1WR Mario Craver: +1.4RB Carsyn Baker: +1.1TE Houston Thomas: +0.6
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