Texas A&M Football vs. ULM: Game Recap

Recap of Texas A&M Football vs. ULM Warhawks

Yet another weather delay plagued Texas A&M football today, causing their kickoff against the Warhawks to be pushed an hour later, to 4 PM CT.

The Aggies deferred after winning the toss, and subsequently forced a three-and-out. Jacoby Matthews (starting in place of Jardin Gilbert) had a beautiful pass breakup on the first play of the drive. The Aggies moved quickly down the field but were stymied in the red zone after two carries by Ainias Smith. A Randy Bond field goal made things 3-0.

The Warhawks hit a long pass on their first play of the next drive to get into Aggie territory. A holding penalty moved them right back out, however, and they ended up punting once more. An Ainias Smith and Amari Daniels-heavy drive ensued, helped by a pass interference call when the Warhawks hung all over Moose Muhammad. The drive was capped off by a touchdown pass to Jahdae Walker, moving the score to 10-0 with about 3 minutes left in the first quarter.

The Warhawks moved the ball enough on their next drive to get into the red zone. In a way reminiscent of the defense last year, though, the Aggies clamped down at that point, forcing a field goal try. With that, the Warhawks were on the board, making it 10-3.

Texas A&M football responded quickly, however, with another scoring drive. Weigman was the one to take it in, this time, scrambling for a touchdown from about twenty yards out to give him on through on the ground to go with the passing touchdown he already had. ULM had a holding penalty on their first play after getting the ball back and ended up going 3-and-out.

The ULM defense was once again helpless against Weigman and the Aggie receivers, as the offense for Texas A&M football moved right down the field courtesy of several big catches from Jahdae Walker. Once in the red zone, however, the Aggies again stalled after a couple of incompletions. Randy Bond split the uprights to move the score to 20-3.

ULM got a first down on their next series, but the very next play was a huge sack-fumble by Shemar Turner from the blind side. Isaiah Raikes could have fallen on it, but got out ahead of himself and allowed the Warhawks to recover the ball. In any case, they were forced to punt—and after taking a couple of timeouts, the Aggies had time to work.

And go to work they indeed did, moving quickly down the field to notch a touchdown. Some great blocking up front let Amari Daniels run untouched into the end zone, making it 27-3. Five scores on five drives is nice—even if two were field goals, the Aggies got into the red zone every time.

Coming out of the half, Texas A&M football got things kicked off with a big return from freshman Micah Tease, almost getting out to midfield. Moose Muhammad saw a couple of touches on this drive, but a negative play on a tap pass led to the Aggies once again stall in the red zone. Bond’s attempt was true once more, though, to make the score 30-3.

The Aggie defense came out of the half with their hair on fire, forcing a three-and-out with some aggressive play. The Aggies again moved down the field quickly, capping off the drive with a Rueben Owens rush from about 20 yards out. That play made it 37-3 Aggies, with Texas A&M football now 7/7 on scoring drives.

The Aggie defense continued to be unrelenting, denying the Warhawks even one first down yet again. After that, it was Max Johnson time, with the twos coming in for the Aggies across the board. That made Weigman’s final statline 25/29 for 337 yards and one touchdown, with 3 carries for 18 yards and a touchdown on the ground to go with it.

After an ineligible man downfield penalty against the Aggies and a sack by ULM, Texas A&M football trotted out their punter for the first time on the day. Constantinou made the most of it with an absolutely beautiful coffin-corner punt to back the Warhawks up to their own one yard line. ULM once again was unable to muster a first down, and punted it away from their own 8 yard line.

This time, Max and the second-team receivers moved the ball a bit better. They took advantage of the short field and, behind some hard running from Leveon Moss, made it down into the red zone. A toss on 3rd down from Max Johnson to true freshman Raymond Cottrell made the score 44-3 with about 10 minutes left in the game.

Another stout defensive stand gave the Aggies yet again another short field with 9:45 left in the game. David Bailey and Jordan Anthony both saw action on this drive, but the Aggies were unable to get into the red zone. Randy Bond delivered once more, though, with a career-long 52-yarder to make the score 47-3.

The ensuing drive saw more success for the Warhawks against the bottom of the Texas A&M football roster, finally picking up a first down or two. They forged their way far into the Aggies’ territory before failing to convert on 4th and one with mere seconds remaining. That would be it for the game, as the Aggies kneeled it out. Texas A&M football opens conference play next week against Auburn, with kickoff at noon on ESPN.