Texas A&M took care of business against The Citadel, rolling to a 41-0 win for its fourth victory of the season. But with the opponent level what it was, the game didn’t offer much in the way of hard conclusions. The more useful takeaway was simply that the Aggies got a chance to see a few players flash, even with a notable number of absences on the roster.
One of the brightest spots came from Jamarrion Morrow, who has been dealing with injuries for much of the year. He had shown a little something against Missouri, but this felt like a bigger breakthrough.
The true sophomore scored three first-half touchdowns and looked like a player turning a corner. If he can stay on the field, he and KJ Edwards could give Texas A&M a strong pairing in the backfield.
Edwards helped make that case too. The true freshman added more than 100 rushing yards of his own and brought a burst to the ground game that has been missing at times. For an offense that has been waiting for more pop on the ground, that mattered.
The passing game, though, didn’t exactly leave a lasting impression. Marcel Reed finished 8 for 13 with a touchdown before Brady Hart took over in the second half.
Still, there were a couple of young receivers who stood out. TK Norman continues to look like a real talent, and the sideline catch he made drew a strong reaction from the Kyle Field crowd.
Aaron Gregory also found the end zone twice, and he looks like another weapon who could be featured more as the season goes on.
Defensively, the shutout has to be viewed in context, since The Citadel still presents a very unusual challenge even after moving away from the flexbone. The Bulldogs now lean on a spread look built around a heavy triple-option foundation, and that kind of offense can stress discipline in ways Texas A&M won’t see much else on its schedule.
Holding that group scoreless is still worth something. Option football demands sharp assignment work, and the Aggies handled it cleanly.
That said, The Citadel did run for more than 100 yards. Texas A&M would certainly prefer to shrink that number, but there were encouraging signs inside.
Brandon Davis-Swain keeps looking like an important addition in the middle of the defense, and Tristian Givens showed some ability later in the game that hinted at what he could become. He’s clearly a name worth watching as the season moves along.
Special teams remained steady, too. David Olano stayed dependable in the kicking game and continues to be a major asset for Texas A&M. The Illinois transfer wasn’t asked to test his range from 50 yards or beyond, but having a reliable leg is no small thing.
The bigger picture is clear: the rest of the schedule is going to be a grind. If the injuries were only precautionary, Texas A&M could have a healthier group for the stretch run.
For now, the Aggies got back in the win column, saw some young players step up, and maybe walked away with a little confidence. We’ll find out soon enough.
In Other News...
Texas A&M Suddenly Faces A Lineup Problem Fans Can't Ignore
Texas A&M heads into its game against The Citadel with a deeper health concern than it first appeared, as seven more players are set to miss the matchup because of injury. That adds to an already thinning roster that had been without Terry Bussey and Blake Ivy, and it means the Aggies will be leaning heavily on younger players to fill some key spots.
Six of the seven new absences are starters, which is where the real concern starts to show. Even with a manageable opponent on paper, Texas A&M is trying to navigate injuries while keeping enough depth intact for the tougher stretch ahead, and this week offers another reminder that the roster is being tested in ways the Aggies cant really afford. [Read more 🡒]
Texas A&M Faces One Frustrating Test It Can't Flunk Against The Citadel
Texas A&M gets one last non-conference tune-up before the SEC grind fully takes over, and the setting is about as straightforward as these November matchups come. The Aggies and The Citadel have both had difficult seasons, which gives this meeting a little extra weight even if it does not carry the usual league implications. For Texas A&M, it is also a chance to clean up execution and stack a needed win before the schedule gets tougher.
Marcel Reed will be the most watched name on the Aggies side, with kicker David Olano and running back Gavin Garcia also part of the important details. The Citadel brings its own pieces to track, including kicker Evan Kiely and running back Rueben Owens, and the matchup offers Texas A&M a final chance to look sharper in the areas that tend to decide games it should control. What the Aggies cannot afford is a flat afternoon that leaves more questions than answers heading into the stretch run. [Read more 🡒]
Texas A&M Cannot Afford Another Slow Start Against The Citadel
Texas A&M heads into its final non-conference game with a familiar warning sign in front of it: no slow starts. The Aggies have been reminded plenty this season that even against an opponent with a 2-4 record, the opening script matters, and The Citadel has already shown enough to keep things from feeling routine. Maurice Draytons team has the kind of defensive backbone that can make a favorite work, with Zyion Brown and Maurice Bonneau Jr. among the names giving that side some credibility.
The bigger concern for Texas A&M is that The Citadels offense has not always needed to be efficient to stay in the fight, especially with Quentin Hayes and Nick Billoups rotating at quarterback. Hayes has provided a little of everything with his passing and running, and the Bulldogs have at least one upset on the rsum to lean on if the game gets tight early. For the Aggies, the matchup is less about the opponents record than the chance to avoid letting a winnable game turn into an unnecessary test. [Read more 🡒]