Tag: ACU Wildcats

Five takeaways from Texas A&M’s 38-10 win over Abilene Christian

In the last game at Kyle Field in 2023, the 12th Man was honored in more ways than one. Here are five takeaways from the win.

Yes, Texas A&M (7-4, 4-3 SEC) won their last home game of the 2023 football season in front of a packed Kyle Field. Yes, the play was underwhelming in the first game since now-former head coach Jimbo Fisher’s firing, but what stood out more than anything was the heart and soul of the 12th Man displayed 24 years to the day after the tragic 1999 Aggie bonfire collapse to the lives to 12 Texas A&M students.

Since the incident, this is the first time in history that the game was played on the exact day as the A&Mn remembrance. At the same time, the A&M logo was draped with a ribbon, and senior linebacker and special teamer Sam Mathews, who represented the 12th Man on the field this season, showed up and showed out in his final game in Aggieland.

Trailing 7-0 after an ACU pick-six, sophomore quarterback Jaylen Henderson, in his second start of the season, failed to find any momentum early in the first half, but thanks to the play of wide receivers Moose Muhammad (4 receptions, 104 yards, 1 TD) and Jahdae Walker’s (4 receptions, 88 yards) impressive day through the air, Henderson threw a crisp 13-yard end zone fade to sophomore WR Noah Thomas to take a 17-10 lead into halftime time.

After the half, Henderson swiftly found Muhammad for a 49-yard dime early in the 3rd quarter, sealing the game as the Aggie’s defense held ACU to just 149 passing yards and 93 yards on the ground, only allowing three points on offense.

To cap things off, interim head coach Elijah Robinson implemented the annual senior day all-walk kick-off team, almost resulting in a fumble after a big hit from senior kicker Blair Zepeda. At the same time, Sam Mathews made the final tackle of the fame in a fitting fashion.

Ahead of A&M’s season finale road matchup vs. LSU next Saturday, here are five takeaways from the Aggies’ 38-10 win over Abilene Christian.

Post Game Recap: Texas A&M downs the ACU Wildcats 38-10 at Kyle Field

The Aggies tamed the Wildcats in the second half on Senior day in the final home game of the season

On Senior Day, Texas A&M (7-4, 4-3 SEC) ran away in a big victory over the Abilene Christian University Wildcats (5-6, 3-3 UAC) at Kyle Field in Bryan-College Station on Saturday morning.

After a significant offensive output last week against Mississippi State, the Aggie offensive started to sputter out, with the offensive line giving up too many QB hits and sacks in the 1st half. They started the game with a pick-six, falling to a 7-0 deficit early in the game. Things began to look up during a six-play 75-yard drive touchdown drive to tie the game at seven a piece.

That lasted one drive as the Aggie offensive would have three straight 3-and-outs before finally getting back on the board with a 34-yard Randy Bond field goal. The defense caused another punt, and Jaylen Henderson drove the Aggies down the field for the last half score for a 17-7 lead going into the locker room.

(Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)

The Aggie came out of the half strong, marching down the field, and it was capped off by a 49-yard touchdown throw to Moose Muhammad. Then, after a few punts by both teams, the Wildcats got back on the board, cutting the lead to 24-10 early in the fourth quarter.

Transfer running back David Bailey would punch in a three-yard touchdown with about five minutes left to extend the lead to 31-10. The Maroon & White closed out the scoring when true freshman Marcel Reed hooked up with fellow freshman Jadan Platt for a 13-yard touchdown, culminating in a final score of 38-10.

Jaylen Henderson was again the offensive player of the game, going 16/23 for 260 and two touchdowns, then adding 27 yards on the ground. Freshman running back Ruben Owens also crossed the century mark with 106 yards on 18 carries with one score. Edgerrin Cooper shared the led team with Bryce Anderson and Jarred Kerr in tackles (5), and the duo combined for six tackles for loss.

The Aggies can look forward to finishing strong as they face the LSU Tigers to earn their 8th win this season.

NOTE: A bonfire remembrance ribbon was added to Kyle Field’s 50-yard-line logo.

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