Photo by: Texas A&M Athletics
After Math: Ole Miss
Oct 26, 2015 | Football
Each Monday, 12th Man Productions' Will Johnson goes inside the numbers of the last football game with "After Math".
There was a lot of hope heading into Oxford on Saturday night. The Aggies had lost their last game versus Alabama, but proved they could go toe to toe with perhaps the SEC's best.
This team believed they'd get a key win in a Western Division venue.
But on the road, at some point, momentum has to be seized. When the chance arrives it has to be clutched. Otherwise a team will play in a hazy cauldron that only gets hotter.
The Aggies never seized their chance.
"You talk about starting fast, we throw to Ricky (Seals-Jones) and maybe he scores, maybe he doesn't," says Kevin Sumlin, referring to A&M's second offensive snap in which they just missed the wide-open receiver. "Momentum wise that could have had a huge effect. But we didn't capitalize."
Shortly after, the Aggies punted and pinned the Rebels at their own six, but the defense allowed them to drive 67 yards and get out of the hole.
Later Myles Garrett continued his spectacular season when he tipped a Chad Kelly pass and intercepted it. The offense, set up with terrific field position, could only drive seven yards before kicking a field goal.
In fact, the defense notched four takeaways. But, on the four ensuing offensive possessions combined, the Aggies ran 13 plays for 23 yards.
Momentum was there for taking. The Aggies just couldn't grab it. They fell deeper into that boiling pot.
Entering, neither Texas A&M nor Ole Miss had run the ball well. The Rebels ranked 8th in the SEC in rush offense, the Aggies 9th. Whoever could get untracked would gain a leg up.
Ole Miss stepped to the front.
Actually, the Rebs didn't match their season average. They went for 4.5 per carry, half a yard less than what they'd done to that point. But, the Aggies went for just 2.1 per rush. That mark falls a full 2 yards less than their season average coming in.
It all coupled with a lack of success through the air. Quarterback Kyle Allen suffered through the most difficult night of his career.
Allen had led A&M to a 5-0 record by completing 64 percent of his passes, while throwing 13 touchdowns to just 2 interceptions. In these last two losses, he's completed only 43 percent, while tossing one touchdown and 5 picks.
In watching the last 2 games, it'd be wise to remember offensive performance isn't solely on the quarterback.
"Certainly in these games, the quarterback needs to play well," says Sumlin. "(But) There's 10 other guys on the field, too. You've got to make plays when they present themselves. We struggled, we didn't have our rhythm. We've got to play a lot better on offense to be the team we want to be."
What does it all add up to?
As frustrating a contest as you'll see.
The Aggies were in the game for much of it. And as low as it got, this team did continue to believe they would win.
But with each three and out (four straight during the third quarter), the bleakness of the Mississippi night became more apparent.
It is at this time, when it's darkest, leadership is needed the most.
Anyone can lead when while 5-0. Who can while mired in a two-game slump?
"When you're in these situations leadership from within becomes important," says Sumlin. "Guys are disappointed. Guys aren't playing as well as they want to play. Teams with great leadership from within don't point fingers, they go to work on themselves."
An example on film will come from Armani Watts. The safety had an incredible 20 tackles Saturday. Two went for lost yardage, he also forced and recovered a fumble, then intercepted a pass.
He's a good place to start. But there should be no end to players who are willing to step up.
A&M entered Oxford with hope, but left with despair.
"We've got a lot of things to fix," continued Sumlin. "In order to do that we've got to give them the right plan. We've got to show some leadership. We've got to get our guys pointed in the right direction."
It takes everyone. Not a single player can exclude themselves.
With the outside world pounding at the Aggies' door, only leadership and a belief in one another--from within--will bring that hope back once more.
"Getting on the plane our guys were disappointed," concluded Sumlin. "They know (we) can play better."
"And…we will."
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