Texas A&M (4-1, 2-0 SEC) currently leads the SEC with a 2-0 conference record after defeating Arkansas 21-17 on Saturday afternoon, as the Aggie defense pressured Razorbacks QB Taylen Green throughout the afternoon.
While Texas A&M’s offense failed to move the ball for most of the game, redshirt freshman quarterback Marcel Reed produced when needed, as he and running back Le’Veon Moss moved the Aggies down the field early in the 4th quarter to take to what would end up being the final lead of the game.
After every game, as we’ve done throughout the season, analyzing the Aggies’ Pro Football Focus grades on offense and defense provides more context into what player excelled outside of what the stats tell us. Here are the more notable Texas A&M player scores after the win.
Offense:
Junior wide receiver Noah Thomas led the Aggies with six receptions for 109 yards and a touchdown, leading the team with a 79.8 offensive grade in 40 snaps. Running back Le’Veon Moss, who finished the game with 117 rushing yards, including 90 yards in the second half, was the third highest-rated offensive player with a 75.7 overall grade.
Backup running back Amari Daniels was average on the ground but excelled in pass protection, with an 82.2 pass-blocking mark, which reflects vast improvement in that area.
Becoming a trend this season, starting left tackle Trey Zuhn was lights out once again in 62 snaps, earning a 79.3 overall and a 79.5 pass-blocking grade. Right tackle Reuben Fatheree continued to improve this season while sharing snaps with Dametreous Crownover, finishing with a team-high 83.3 pass-blocking grade.
Defense:
In a game dominated by the Aggie pass rush, cornerback Will Lee III led the defense with four of the team’s seven pass deflections, earning a 79.5 defensive grade and a team-high 81.9 coverage grade. Along the defensive line, Cashius Howell, who almost had a pick-six in the second half, finished with three tackles and two QB hurries, earning a 78.5 defensive grade and a 71.2 pass rush grade.
While PFF scores may confuse some when comparing on-field production, defensive end Nic Scourton’s two sacks and four tackles for loss didn’t quite reflect the grade, as the junior finished with a 72.1 pass-rush grade and a low 37.1 tacking grade.
However, nickel corner Jaydon Hill, who Arkansas wide receiver Issac TeSlaa burned for a 75-yard touchdown to start the game, was by far the Aggies’ most efficient pass rusher, finishing the highest pass-rush grade (96.1) but struggled in coverage (55.5 coverage grade).
Lastly, quarterback Marcel Reed was average in the pocket, earning a 55.6 passing grade after completing 11/22 for 163 yards and two touchdowns. Saturday’s struggles weren’t surprising, as Reed is 3/17 on passes beyond 20-plus yards and was 0-5 against the Razorbacks.
Reed thrives in the middle of the field, as he is 30/42 for nearly 400 yards and three touchdowns within ten yards of the line of scrimmage.
Texas A&M will host Missouri on Saturday, Oct. 5, at 11:00 a.m. CT. The game will air on ABC and will be available for streaming on ESPN+.
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