Texas A&M Football: Report card for Week 2 loss to Appalachian State

Sep 10, 2022; College Station, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies running back Devon Achane (6) is tackled by Appalachian State Mountaineers defensive back Nick Ross (4) in the third quarter at Kyle Field. Appalachian State Mountaineers won 17 to 14. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 10, 2022; College Station, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies running back Devon Achane (6) is tackled by Appalachian State Mountaineers defensive back Nick Ross (4) in the third quarter at Kyle Field. Appalachian State Mountaineers won 17 to 14. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports
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Sep 10, 2022; College Station, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies running back Devon Achane (6) is tackled by Appalachian State Mountaineers defensive back Nick Ross (4) in the third quarter at Kyle Field. Appalachian State Mountaineers won 17 to 14. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 10, 2022; College Station, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies running back Devon Achane (6) is tackled by Appalachian State Mountaineers defensive back Nick Ross (4) in the third quarter at Kyle Field. Appalachian State Mountaineers won 17 to 14. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports

Well, Week 2 for Texas A&M football didn’t go as anyone planned on Saturday with the Aggies falling to the Appalachian State Mountaineers 17-14. It was a hard-fought game on both sides of the football for the Aggies who just didn’t seem capable of establishing any type of rhythm on offense. That inability to get anything going had an immediate impact on the defense as they were on the field for a little over 41 minutes thanks to the Mountaineers’ physical and effective running game.

Let’s take a look at all phases of the team, offense, defense, special teams, and how the coaching staff fared in a game that will definitely have negative playoff implications on the Aggies, who at one point were looked at as a team with a chance to make it this season.

Texas A&M football Week 2 report card vs. Appalachian State

COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS – SEPTEMBER 10: Devon Achane #6 of the Texas A&M Aggies scores a touchdown during the first half at against the Appalachian State Mountaineers at Kyle Field on September 10, 2022, in College Station, Texas. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS – SEPTEMBER 10: Devon Achane #6 of the Texas A&M Aggies scores a touchdown during the first half at against the Appalachian State Mountaineers at Kyle Field on September 10, 2022, in College Station, Texas. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)

Offense

The offensive output in this week’s game against the Mountaineers clearly shows that this offense still has yet to find its identity. They weren’t really able to get anything going through the air, throwing for just 97 yards.

It wasn’t any better for them on the ground either with the running game. rushing for a total of 89 yards and one touchdown. Another glaring issue in this game was the offensive line that just couldn’t seem to hold their blocks against this tenacious Appalachian State defense which ultimately led to them losing the time of possession battle 41:29 to 18:31.

We say this all the time, if you are able to control the time of possession and control the clock you are able to control the game, and that’s exactly what the Mountaineers were able to do. This Aggie offense needs to get back on track fast if they want to have any shot of getting into the playoffs, because looking at them after this game against a tough but beatable defense, they have a lot of work to do.

Grade: D