I think I speak for Texas A&M football fans everywhere when I say that the next time I see referee Daniel Gautreaux's face on my TV screen, it will be too soon.
The flags were everywhere in this game, especially when the Aggies were on offense. At the end of the third quarter, the Aggies had lost nearly as much in penalty yardage as Auburn had gained in total yardage— 99 yards to 154. A late-game ineligible man downfield penalty wiped out a touchdown even though it was the most borderline that call could possibly be.
A lot of that has to do, though, with the fact that this defense for Texas A&M football came to play in a major way today. The Aggies were all over the Auburn run game in particular, shutting the potent Tiger ground game down time after time.
Instant reaction: Texas A&M triumphs over Auburn in frustrating, penalty-filled game
Even without starting linebacker Scooby Williams in the lineup, the Aggies were stymying the Auburn rushing attack to great effect. It showed that this defense can indeed help carry the Aggies when the chips are down, which was what everyone wanted to see.
The lone Auburn touchdown came as a result of a tipped ball-interception on a third-down screen play for the Aggies that got returned 72 yards to the two-yard line. Auburn could find no purchase other than that in the game.
The late-game defensive stand exemplified that perfectly. The Aggie defense held an Auburn squad that had to get points with less than three minutes left in the game to exactly two yards, sacking Jackson Arnold on fourth down. That shows character and competitiveness.
The fact is that you will have frustrating games where the referees decided to call things as closely as possible. You will have stinkers against talented teams. The fact that the Aggies had both and still came out with the victory shows that this is a team that can win in any way they need to.
The pass offense isn't quite clicking downfield? Fine— we'll run roughshod over the best rush defense in the conference. Can't pick up a late-game conversion on downs? Let's just demolish the Auburn offense one more time.
You have to look close— like, really close— but there was a lot to like from this Aggie game. Like Jesse Palmer said on the broadcast right at the end— you take 'em how you can get 'em.