Game Recap: Texas A&M Football Trounces Gamecocks

Out of a condensed formation, the Gamecocks threw a touchdown on the first play of the quarter to cut the lead to one score. Another review led to another “stands” call, officially making the score 24-17.

Max made a good read under pressure on first down, but couldn’t get the ball to Amari Daniels. Jahdae Walker made an appearance on second down, scooting past a DB after a short catch for an extended run. Amari Daniels picked up five on the ensuing first down, moving Texas A&M football into Gamecock territory. Another handoff to Daniels resulted in an explosive run, and just like that the Aggies were inside the 15. Owens came on to receive a handoff, but he went for a minimal gain on first down. Max rolled out for a six yard gain, bringing up third and three from the eight yard line. A handoff to Owens looked like it might have some legs, but Texas A&M football was unable to convert, and Randy Bond trotted out for another field goal attempt. His kick was good, making the score 27-17.

Mario Anderson’s first rush of the next drive went for a short loss, and Deuce Harmon made a great play on the ball against Legette on second down to break up a pass. Third down brought a pass that was just short of the sticks, and the Gamecocks melted down on fourth down to give Texas A&M football great field position after a fumbled snap. Things were not looking good for the Gamecocks.

A pair of runs for Amari Daniels were the first two play calls, but the second one involved a holding penalty against Layden Robinson. That moved the Aggies into 2nd and 17. A pass across the middle on second down went through the hands of a defender as well as Evan Stewart, bringing up third and very long. A screen pass to Owens picked up about five after a shoestring tackle, bringing out the field goal unit for a long attempt. Bond put it through the uprights from 52, putting the Aggies up 30-17.

A toss play to Anderson went for five on first down, and a short pass to Legette finally saw the top receiver for the Gamecocks break out for some yardage after the catch, moving SC to just behind midfield. Anderson once again got a solid gain on first, but he was stymied on second for a loss of a yard. A little sweep motion set up a short pass to the motion man, but he mishandled the ball and got lit up by Demani, who came screaming down from the secondary. Another fourth down attempt saw another incompletion, and the Aggies took back over near midfield.

Another first down run went nowhere for Owens, and a low snap busted the play on second, with Max going down for a short loss. The Gamecocks had begun to use their timeouts to slow down the ticking of the clock, as well. A third down pass had Ainias Smith wide open over the middle once again, and he gained 33 yards on a great run after the catch. This may shock the reader, but another first down run went absolutely nowhere as the Gamecocks continued to key in on the ground game on the first play of each series. A second down run fared no better, bringing up 3rd and 13. A rollout pass to Ainias gained about half of the necessary yardage, and Bond came out to kick on 4th and 5. This time, though, he missed, keeping the score at 30-17.

Carolina threw two straight incomplete passes behind the line of scrimmage to start off their drive. The third play was another short pass, but this one ended in a forced fumble by Edgerrin Cooper, recovered by McKinnley Jackson, and the Aggies took over inside the Gamecock 25. With no ability to halt the game for the Gamecocks, the Aggies could essentially just run the clock out. Four straight runs did just that, and Texas A&M football triumphed 30-17.