By: Gabe Brooks
The Aggies need to run more according to the numbers. AP Photo/David J. Phillip
Texas A&M’s defense took most of the blame for the 17-point halftime lead the Aggies blew at Kyle Field against Oklahoma State this past weekend. Defensive coordinator Tim DeRuyter was praised across the Twittersphere through the first two quarters, but saw that praise turn to pointed criticism in the second half.
It’s true that the Aggies’ defense did not play well in the final two quarters, but the offense did not shoulder its fair share of the blame. The four second-half turnovers stand out, especially the three interceptions Ryan Tannehill threw in the final 18:12 of the contest.
But the Aggies abandoned a running game that kept Oklahoma State’s defense off balance the entire first half. If Texas A&M hopes to snap a three-game losing streak to Arkansas this weekend, the Aggies better re-commit themselves to that running game and model their game plan to fit the two-headed running back monster they possess similar to Alabama’s 1-2 punch.
Here’s a by-the-numbers look at how A&M’s offense failed in the second half against Oklahoma State, as well as a statistical breakdown of how A&M can emulate Alabama’s running game in this week’s Southwest Classic at Cowboys Stadium.
Texas A&M running game – first half vs. Oklahoma State
Designed runs (not including scrambles or sacks) – 17 plays, 157 yards
Percentage of offensive snaps – 42.5 percent
1st down – 6 runs, 14 yards
2nd down – 10 runs, 139 yards, 1 TD
3rd down – 1 run, 4 yards
Texas A&M’s greatest success came on second down, and that success did not come on second-and-short situations as you might imagine. Texas A&M averaged 7.9 yards to first down on its 10 second-down rushing attempts. Only twice did the Aggies run the ball on second down with fewer than six yards to go, proving their commitment to the run game regardless of what first down gave them to work with on the following play.
Texas A&M running game – second half vs. Oklahoma State
Designed runs – 6 plays, 11 yards
Percentage of offensive snaps – 17.6 percent
1st down – 2 runs, 5 yards
2nd down – 4 runs, 6 yards
3rd down – 0 runs, 0 yards
The abandonment of the ground game is in stark contrast to the A&M’s run-friendly first-half game plan. Yes, A&M was forced to throw when trailing 30-20 late, but that didn’t come until the final 6 ½ minutes of the game. Before that point, the Aggies had thrown three interceptions — and fumbled on another pass play — but had run the ball only five times for nine yards during the first 23 ½ minutes of the second half. That allowed Oklahoma State to dictate the tempo, get back in the game, and ultimately take the lead for the win. A&M ran two designed runs the entire fourth quarter, and one of those was a delayed handoff out of the shotgun for a two-yard loss.
The Arkansas rushing defense will be tested by A&M. AP Photo/Butch Dill
Alabama running game – first half vs. Arkansas
Designed runs – 15 plays, 97 yards
Percentage of offensive snaps – 48.4 percent
1st down – 7 runs, 34 yards
2nd down – 6 runs, 58 yards
3rd down – 2 runs, 5 yards
Alabama was most successful in the first half against Arkansas on second down, the same down Texas A&M made hay against Oklahoma State. With Cyrus Gray and Christine Michael, the Aggies have a pair of playmaking backs who could give the Hogs problems much the same way Trent Richardson and Eddie Lacy did. What’s more, Arkansas might be without both of its starting defensive ends, Jake Bequette and Tenarius Wright (Wright is out 4-6 weeks, but Bequette may return from a hamstring injury). Bequette missed the Alabama game with a hamstring injury, while Wright left the game early. Alabama took advantage as Richardson and Lacy were human battering rams much of the afternoon.
Alabama running game – second half vs. Arkansas
Designed run plays – 20 plays, 97 yards
Percentage of offensive snaps – 74.1 percent
1st down – 9 runs, 38 yards
2nd down – 7 carries, 26 yards
3rd down – 4 carries, 33 yards
Alabama’s multi-score lead allowed the Crimson Tide to pound Arkansas with Richardson and Lacy. Up 24 points through three quarters, Alabama attempted one pass in the fourth and ran 13 times. It’ll be surprising if A&M has a sizable enough lead to simply grind on the Hogs in the second half, but the Aggies would be well served to sample from Alabama’s recipe, especially if A&M can get a solid performance from its defense. That may depend on Coryell Judie, A&M’s best cover corner who missed the Oklahoma State game with an injury. Arkansas may not have a single receiver as good as Justin Blackmon, but the Hogs’ receiving corps is deeper and more talented as a group.
The bottom line for Texas A&M: get back to the running game. The Aggies’ offense is far more effective when mixing its plays, rather than going all in on the passing game.
Follow Gabe Brooks on Twitter @gabrieldbrooks and @rileydargan.
Leave a Reply
Gabe, well done post. I think you hit the nail on the head. I’m not sure what happened, but it seemed like Mike Sherman panicked once Oklahoma State started coming back. Their play selection in the second half didn’t make any sense, especially when Gray and Michael are their running backs.
[...] Holy Turf – Talks about how A&M needs to get back to running the ball if they are going to beat Arkansas. Subscribe to the BetFirms RSS Feed Comments [...]