Texas A&M’s season opener turned into a 50-0 rout of Missouri State, but the strangest part of the night came before the score got out of hand.
With less than a minute left in the first half, the Aggies were firmly in charge and Missouri State had done next to nothing on offense. Still, Texas A&M was only ahead 12-0. That changed when Marcel Reed hit Mario Craver on a 12-yard touchdown pass with 29 seconds left in the second quarter, finally pushing the lead to three scores.
Until then, the Aggies had made things harder than they needed to. Texas A&M opened with a touchdown on its first possession, then stalled for three straight drives before getting back on track with a field goal and that late-second-quarter touchdown. For a team loaded with offensive weapons and facing a Missouri State program not expected to be a Conference USA powerhouse, the lack of early rhythm stood out.
There are obvious reasons to point to. Texas A&M is working with a new offensive coordinator in Holmon Wiggins after Collin Klein left for the head coaching job at Kansas State, and the Aggies are also integrating fresh faces along the offensive line. Early-season growing pains fit the picture.
Even so, the first-half offense was rougher than anyone expected. Texas A&M punted on two straight drives and fumbled on another, and the opening stretch didn’t look like the kind of performance this roster should produce against this opponent. The final score eventually made those concerns look small, but they were real while the game was still being decided.
It’s also possible the Aggies kept things pretty basic on purpose. Texas A&M doesn’t need to show everything now, especially with tougher games coming against Arizona State, LSU and the rest of the schedule. Against Missouri State, the assignment was simple: trust the talent and let that be enough.
For part of the night, though, even that talent wasn’t showing up cleanly. Reed flashed with both his arm and his legs, but he also had to scramble more than expected against this defense.
The offensive line had its own issues, giving up back-to-back sacks on one series and back-to-back holding penalties on another. That made it tough for the offense to settle in.
Once the game moved along and the comfort level rose, the difference showed. The receivers became more involved, the big plays started to come, and Texas A&M piled up touchdowns on the way to a dominant finish.
That second-half surge should calm most of the anxiety, but the first-half sloppiness is still something to watch. Arizona State will be a far tougher test next week, and the Aggies can’t afford another slow start before the offense finds its footing.
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Texas A&M Opener Brings An Early Depth Concern Fans Didn't Want
Texas A&Ms season opener against Missouri State is already offering a first look at the Aggies depth, and not in the way fans would have hoped. Safety Tawfiq Byard and wide receiver Madden Williams are both not dressed out for the game, leaving the staff to adjust its rotation before the first snap of the year.
Byard, a Colorado transfer who was expected to factor into the defensive mix, gives the secondary an early test, while Williams, a true freshman receiver lower on the chart, is unavailable on offense. The Aggies will have to lean on other options to absorb those snaps, including Chance Collins at safety, as the opener becomes an early reminder that roster depth matters fast in a season like this. [Read more 🡒]
Texas A&M Is Suddenly In Position For A Statement Recruiting Flip
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For Texas A&M, this is the kind of visit that can matter well beyond one player. The staff has been active in pursuing recruits committed elsewhere, and Johnson gives them another chance to show a top national target what life in College Station could look like. Whether the visit simply keeps the door open or pushes things further, it is another sign that the Aggies are trying to turn their recruiting pitch into something bigger. [Read more 🡒]
Texas A&M Already Has A Secondary Concern Fans Didn't Expect
Texas A&M opened the season with a small but notable wrinkle in the secondary, as safety Tawfiq Byard was not dressed out for the matchup with Missouri State. The Colorado transfer was brought in to add depth on the back end, not as a full-time starter, but his absence still left the Aggies without a piece they expected to have available in the first game.
Byards status raised immediate questions because there was no injury report to explain why he was sidelined. For a defense trying to settle into the year, even a reserve piece matters, especially in the secondary where depth can disappear fast if the first wave of adjustments starts early. Whether this is a one-game situation or something more lingering, it was not the start Texas A&M fans expected to see from a player who figured to help stabilize the rotation. [Read more 🡒]