Gig Em Gazette
Fansided

3 Takeaways from a Huge Win for Texas A&M Football Over Auburn

By Graham Harmon

Sep 23, 2023; College Station, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies defensive lineman Walter Nolen (0) and linebacker Edgerrin Cooper (45) tackle Auburn Tigers quarterback Robby Ashford (9) for a loss during the third quarter at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 23, 2023; College Station, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies defensive lineman Walter Nolen (0) and linebacker Edgerrin Cooper (45) tackle Auburn Tigers quarterback Robby Ashford (9) for a loss during the third quarter at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 4
Next
Sep 23, 2023; College Station, Texas, USA; Auburn Tigers quarterback Payton Thorne (1) is tackled by Texas A&M Aggies defensive back Bryce Anderson (1) and linebacker Taurean York (21) during the first quarter at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 23, 2023; College Station, Texas, USA; Auburn Tigers quarterback Payton Thorne (1) is tackled by Texas A&M Aggies defensive back Bryce Anderson (1) and linebacker Taurean York (21) during the first quarter at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports /

Defense for Texas A&M football begins to show its quality

Auburn is not what you would call an outstanding offensive team, but this was an absolute showcase for a defense that has been taking some lumps in the Football Discourse for the last few weeks. Here are a few numbers:

  • 200 yards allowed
  • 7 sacks
  • 20% 3rd down conversion rate
  • 2.4 YPA allowed
  • 3.5 YPC allowed
  • 3 points allowed

That is dominance. When you consider the fact that this came against a conference opponent—no matter how poor the offensive skill!—it’s even more impressive. That outshone any and all conference performances from last year’s Aggie defense, which ended up 18th in the country per SP+. Auburn went the entire third quarter going three and out time and time again. Even when the Tigers finally got some things going followed the scoop and score, the Aggie defense stepped up to knock them back out of field goal range.

I predicted that the Aggie defensive line would be able to get to Thorne, given his proclivity for taking sacks. I in no way expected the Aggies to more than double their season total in that metric in this one single game! This is the kind of performance of which we all knew this talented Aggie front is capable. This is the pressure and havoc we’ve been expecting to see them create with the uber-talented linemen up front. Let’s hope this is a mainstay of this defense for Texas A&M football as the Aggies move further forward into conference play.

dark. Next. Three Turning Points from the Auburn Game