Each Monday in After "Math", we'll take a look inside the numbers from the weekend's football game, and we'll do it through the words of the Aggie coaching staff.
For more insight on each football game, make sure to tune in to "The Pulse: Texas A&M Football" (Wednesdays, 4:00 PM CT on FOX Sports Southwest and 6:30 PM CT on KBTX-TV).
AFTER MATH: ULM
by Will Johnson '01
12th Man Productions
A day after Halloween, Ben Compton looked like he'd narrowly survived a horror movie.
The fullback trotted off the field after the Aggies opening drive to a touchdown against Louisiana-Monroe with a speck of blood on his forehead, a cut on his nose, and more blood falling from his nostrils.
He didn't seem to mind.
Compton didn't bother wiping any of it off. He listened closely to offensive line coach BJ Anderson rehash the drive and look forward to what he needed to do the next time out.
The Aggies were looking for toughness and the right attitude in the two weeks leading up to ULM. Compton, at that moment, served as picture of what they were seeking.
“He's one of those guys we rewarded,” Kevin Sumlin said. “We're going to need a whole lot more guys playing the way he plays.”
“Just the intensity he brings, it helped the run game tremendously,” Offensive Coordinator Jake Spavital said.
Using a newer formation with Compton at fullback, the run game got rugged at crucial times. Louisiana-Monroe stacked the box, but A&M did find some tough yards when they most needed them.
Nine times A&M dialed up a run play on third down. They converted on 6. If you look at the three misses, the Aggies converted one play later--on fourth down--after two of them (using the run on one). The last miss was on the final drive. Facing 3rd and 10, the Ags ran to eat more clock or force Monroe into using their final timeout.
A&M had an average of 4.8 yards to go on the third down rushes, and gained 6 per carry.
Perhaps it wasn't the offense's best day. But they were gritty at some key moments.
However, in the end, the defense was steadfast and instrumental in the win.
Speedy Noil made a spectacular catch on a fourth down pass from Kyle Allen for a 39-yard touchdown with 1:05 remaining in the second quarter. The Aggies led 21-7, and that was all the scoring they'd do.
To that point, ULM had averaged 5.1 yards per play. The Warhawks would have 7 more drives in trying to overtake A&M. They ran 54 plays for 201 yards on those drives, an average of just 3.7 yards per play.
The Aggie offense only ran 21 plays in the second half, while the defense had to defend 48 Monroe snaps.
A young defense showed resolve. And, in the process, firmly salted away a much-needed win for a team that hadn't felt victory in 35 days.
“We did bend, but when push came to shove we were able to force field goals,” said linebackers Coach Mark Hagen. “That was evident on the last series, when they had the ball and an opportunity to win, and we got off the field in four downs.”
Just how much youth was on this defense?
How do you want to slice it?
Three of the top 4 tacklers were true freshman. As were 5 of the top 7. The A&M 'D' made 74 stops versus Monroe, and 41 were by freshmen or sophomores (55 percent).
Some youngsters played a bit beyond their years Saturday.
On offense, Speedy Noil seems to do that more and more.
When he arrived at A&M he didn't look like a freshman, nor did he move like one. He walks with a seriousness on his face that is undeniable. On Saturdays his look could turn you to stone.
Sure, there are freshman moments. His thrilling 39-yard touchdown grab came with an unnecessary celebration penalty that cost the Aggies 15 yards on the ensuing kickoff. But, his contributions have been undeniable.
Noil now leads the SEC in all-purpose yards per play. He averages 15.5 yards per 'touch'. Second, and just 0.2 yards behind Noil, is Alabama's Amari Cooper--who is making a bid for a seat in New York City for the Heisman Trophy presentation.
“He's one of those receivers that has the ability to completely turn a game around,” states Spavital. “He's still pretty raw, he hasn't had that much experience at the receiver position. He's just got to keep going through the process, and keep striving to be the best, and he has those intentions.”
What does it all add up to?
More than you think.
As mentioned earlier, it had been 35 days since the Aggies last won. This team just needed that feeling again.
The starting quarterback was a true freshman. His leading receiver was also. And, once again, 5 of the top 7 tacklers were also true freshmen.
'There are no guarantees' when you play that much youth, according to Coach Sumlin.
It's the beginning stages of a career for many of them.
It's the starting line. And yes, they've got a long way to go.
But the finish line is a long way off too.
A win--in any way, shape or form--is never a bad starting off point.