Kyle Allen (10) was lights out in Texas A&M’s win over West Virginia. (Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports)
COLLEGE STATION, TX — Texas A&M held on through a roller-coaster season in 2014 to finish with an 8-5 record and a 45-37 victory over West Virginia in the Liberty Bowl.
But there were plenty of rough times as well. The Aggies fell flat in the heart of their schedule, losing to Mississippi State, Mississippi and Alabama by an average of more than 30 points.
The Aggies’ prowess in season-openers can’t be questioned, though. In 2014, Texas A&M went to South Carolina and walloped the Gamecocks, 52-28. Texas A&M coach Kevin Sumlin knows his team has to continue to start the season right and then keep it going.
“Whatever happens in this game is not going to define us,” Sumlin said. “If we didn’t learn that from last year, you don’t learn anything.”
Texas A&M’s big problem in 2014, other than turmoil and uneven play at quarterback as Kenny Hill won the starting job and failed to hold on to it, was a porous rush defense. The Aggies gave up 216 yards per game and finished the campaign ranking in triple digits.
In order to improve, Texas A&M brought in new defensive coordinator John Chavis from LSU. Chavis has been vague about specific changes but has said he’s encouraged by the Aggies’ young talent. They’ll need new starters at linebacker to fill holes up the middle in order to get better against the run.
Texas A&M has a trusted pass-rushing weapon as it named sophomore defensive end Myles Garrett a team captain. Sumlin said he’s putting a lot on Garrett to embrace that role.
“I used to be a senior-led-team guy and you want that,” Sumlin said. “When you’ve got a young guy who is (playing) every snap, you’re basically saying as a football team you’re trusting this guy every snap. Why can’t you be a leader? Just by your role you are a leader.”
NOTES, QUOTES
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
–QB Kyle Allen passed for 1,322 yards and 16 TDs with 7 interceptions while splitting time as the Aggies starter in 2014. However, he took hold of the role in time to win MVP honors in the Liberty Bowl. Sumlin said at that point, Allen took on the leadership role of the Aggies’ offense.
–WR Josh Reynolds could be one of the most dynamic receivers in college football as he begins his junior season. He posted 842 yards and 13 TDs in his debut season at Texas A&M in 2014. With the departure of Malcome Kennedy and Kyle Allen going into his second season as a starter, Reynolds should have plenty of opportunities this season.
–WR Christian Kirk claimed a starting spot going into his first season on campus at Texas A&M. Sumlin said the freshman has the talent, size and understanding to do the job. However, Sumlin said it’s hard to replicate the speed of the game at the college level and it could take a bit for Kirk to adapt.
SERIES HISTORY: This is the first meetings between Texas A&M and Arizona State.
QUOTE TO NOTE: “Taylor (Bertolet) as we all know is gifted. He’s kind of like me two years ago as a golfer. He can go to the driving range and hit it a mile. The idea is to hit it straight. We’re moving from the driving range to the first tee. We’ve got some narrow fairways out there for him.” — Texas A&M coach Kevin Sumlin likening his kicker’s consistency to his own golf game.
