The Texas A&M Aggies beat the Prairie View A&M Panthers 52-3 to improve the Aggies’ record to 8-3. Now, the Aggies will prepare for their regular-season finale against LSU next week. Although Texas A&M played against a much inferior opponent in this game, there are a lot of things to take away from this performance by the Aggies. Here’s a quarter-by-quarter analysis of Texas A&M’s win over Prairie View A&M.
Quarter 1: Texas A&M Starts Strong
Offense
Texas A&M’s first drive on offense was led by Isaiah Spiller. He had six carries for more than 40 yards. Zach Calzada once again started out inaccurate in this game, so Jimbo Fisher knew that he would have to rely on his running backs.
The Aggies started their second drive in Prairie View A&M’s territory. Calzada started with a big completion to Jalen Wydermyer for 17 yards. That led Texas A&M into the red zone, and Devon Achane had three carries for 17 yards to score another touchdown for the Aggies.
Defense
The Panthers’ first drive was a three-and-out thanks to a sack by Jayden Peevy on second down.
Prairie View A&M’s second drive was looking to be another three-and-out, but the Panthers chose to go for it on fourth down. That attempt was unsuccessful, and the Aggies got the ball with good field position.
Prairie View’s third drive made it clear that the Panthers would have little to no success running the ball in this game. Aaron Hansford returned a fumble for a touchdown to give Texas A&M one more score.
The Panthers were able to get the ball in Texas A&M’s territory on their fourth drive. Jaden Stewart and Raymond Graham shared rushes for decent yardage. However, a delay of game penalty pushed Texas A&M back, and the Aggies were forced to punt.
Texas A&M entered the second quarter leading 21-0 over Prairie View A&M.
Quarter 2: Texas A&M Extends the Lead
Offense
Spiller had a big rush on the Aggies’ third drive for 25 yards. Texas A&M chose to pass in the red zone, and this decision led the Aggies to fourth down. Texas A&M had to settle for a field goal, and Seth Small kicked it in from 27 yards out.
Achane got some more action on Texas A&M’s fourth drive. Calzada completed a pass to both Moose Muhammad and Jalen Preston to get Texas A&M near the red zone. Calzada threw a nice dime to Muhammad from 33 yards out to score a touchdown for the Aggies.
The Aggies’ final drive before halftime started near midfield. Running back Yulkeith Brown had a big run for 45 yards to Prairie View’s 15-yard line. Texas A&M had the ball at Prairie View’s one-yard line, but a sack put the Aggies in a third-and-goal situation. Texas A&M chose to go for it on fourth down, and Achane rushed the ball in from a yard out.
Defense
Stewart and Trazon Connley got the bulk of rushes on Prairie View A&M’s fifth drive. Penalties again hindered the Panthers, and they had to punt on their 40-yard line. The punt was blocked, giving the Aggies good field position again.
The Panthers’ sixth drive was another three-and-out. They could not get anything going on offense during the first half.
Texas A&M went into halftime leading 38-0 over Prairie View A&M.
Quarter 3: Prairie View A&M Gets Its First Score
Offense
Amari Daniels was subbed in at running back for Texas A&M’s first drive of the second half. He had three rushes for 30 yards on this drive. Once again, Calzada threw a 30-yard pass to Muhammad for a touchdown.
LJ Johnson Jr. got the most touches on the Aggies’ seventh drive. He had three rushes for 25 yards, before being replaced by Daniels. Daniels led the Aggies into the red zone, as Jimbo Fisher chose to grind out the clock at this point in this game. Daniels ran it in from eight yards out for a touchdown.
Defense
Unsurprisingly, Prairie View A&M’s seventh drive was focused on using the ground game. Jawon Pass just had no time in the pocket to throw the ball. Connley got the majority of rushes, and the Panthers were close to scoring a touchdown in the red zone. However, they were led to fourth down on the eight-yard line. This led Luis Reyes to kick a field goal, giving Prairie View A&M its first points of the game.
The Panthers’ eighth drive also got them into the Aggies’ territory. Connley began to pass more when Prairie View crossed midfield, but he threw three consecutive incompletions, leading the Panthers to fourth down yet again. Prairie View A&M ended up turning the ball over on downs in this drive.
Texas A&M went into the fourth quarter leading 45-3 over Prairie View A&M.
Quarter 4: Texas A&M Finishes It Off
Offense
Blake Bost came in for Calzada on the Aggies’ eighth drive. LJ Johnson Jr. had six consecutive rushes for nearly 45 yards, but Bost proceeded to throw an interception on the following play.
Darvon Hubbard got two touches on the Aggies’ ninth drive, and Bost threw another incompletion to lead to another three-and-out for Texas A&M.
Deondre Jackson rushed for two yards on the final play of the game.
Defense
Stewart had some more decent rushes on Prairie View A&M’s ninth drive, but penalties again hurt the Panthers. After a completion leading to fourth down, the Panthers had to punt again. It was puzzling why Prairie View A&M decided to not go for it on fourth down at this point of the game.
The Panthers’ final drive of the game was another three-and-out; another great day for Texas A&M’s defense.
Texas A&M finished the game with a 52-3 win over Prairie View A&M.
Concluding Thoughts
After a win over Prairie View A&M, Texas A&M looks to finish its season strong with a 9-3 record. Today’s win was expected for the Aggies, although not impressive but decent. they will now have to travel to Baton Rouge and win against LSU to keep Texas A&M’s hopes of a 10-win season alive; still, a lot to play for from the Aggies’ perspective.
