Aggies don't take pass on run game

Texas A&M running back Trey Williams (3) gains yardage on a run as SMU's Derek Longoria , and linebacker John Bordano (46) give chase in the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 20, 2014, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Texas A&M running back Trey Williams (3) gains yardage on a run as SMU's Derek Longoria , and linebacker John Bordano (46) give chase in the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 20, 2014, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

FAYETTEVILLE -- Arkansas has made adjustments and improvement on defense since No. 6 Auburn worked it over for 595 yards in a 45-21 loss in the season opener.

The Razorbacks have displayed tighter pass coverage, more effective gap control and better tackling and ball hawking in victories over Nicholls State, Texas Tech and Northern Illinois, which averaged 299.3 yards per game against Arkansas.

Up next

Arkansas vs. No. 6 Texas A&M

WHEN 2:30 p.m. Central Saturday

WHERE AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas.

RECORDS Arkansas 3-1, 0-1 SEC; Texas A&M 4-0, 1-0

TV CBS

Defensive strides

• Arkansas has cut down on its opponents’ yards and points-per-game averages since losing 45-21 at Auburn to open the season. Here is a game-by-game look at the Hogs’ defensive statistics.

OPP.;RU.-YDS-T;YC;C-A-I-YDS-T;YDS;YPP

@Auburn;48-302-3;6.2;16-22-0-293-2;595;8.5

Nicholls St.;28-34-0;3.3;21-43-1-208-1;242;3.4

@Texas Tech;22-101-1;4.6;27-45-2-252-3;353;5.3

N. Illinois;32-123-0;3.8;19-31-0-180-2;303;4.8

All that will be put to the test Saturday when the Razorbacks take on No. 6 Texas A&M in Arlington, Texas.

The Aggies (4-0) have assembled one of the nation's top offenses and haven't seemed to miss a beat in Kevin Sumlin's third season after losing former Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Johnny Manziel, 6-5 receiver Mike Evans and offensive tackle Jake Matthews to the NFL.

Sophomore quarterback Kenny Hill beat out true freshman Kyle Allen in camp and the Aggies are No. 2 nationally in total offense, No. 2 in scoring and No. 4 in passing. Texas A&M averages 612.5 total yards, 405 passing yards and 55.3 points per game.

Hill and the Aggies operate from the Spread behind one of the nation's top offensive lines, with a bevy of wide receivers and tailbacks to catch and carry the ball, and have proven capable of attacking a defense just about anywhere they want.

"We have to understand that they're going to make you defend the whole field," Arkansas defensive backs coach Clay Jennings said. "They're going to stretch you vertically, but they're also going to try to stretch you horizontally."

Defensive line coach Rory Segrest pointed out the Aggies are known for their dangerous passing, but they also rank 38th nationally with an average of 207.5 rushing yards per game with Hill contributing 26.5 yards per game in addition to the work of tailbacks Trey Williams, Brandon Williams, Tra Carson and James White.

"I think a lot of times you lose sight of that," Segrest said. "A lot of guys get caught up in we've got to stop that receiver or this route or that route, but they can run the football. They ran it against us last year. We cannot let them be multidimensional."

The Aggies gashed Arkansas for 262 rushing yards last season, running on 14 of 19 plays in the fourth quarter, including nine in a row, to salt away a 45-33 victory at Reynolds Razorback Stadium.

Texas A&M left tackle Cedric Ogbuehi, an Outland Trophy candidate, was asked if teams are trying to force the Aggies to run since their passing attack is so effective.

"Maybe, but we've got so many weapons. We can do anything," Ogbuehi said. "If they're making it easier for us to run the ball, we've got plenty of great backs that can do it."

Limiting the run and pressuring Hill will be critical for the Razorbacks.

"It's a vital key to our game plan," Arkansas nose guard Taiwan Johnson said. "It's probably one of the most important keys, making sure we not just get hits, but try to change the trajectory of throws and disrupt him as much as we can to help out our back end."

Segrest said the Aggies slow pass rushers by throwing quick passes.

"They get ready to just stop and get their hands up, instead of continuing the pass rush when they do actually drop back and hold it for a minute," Segrest said. "We just have to make sure we stay consistent and continue to attack and push the pocket."

Arkansas Coach Bret Bielema called A&M's attack a quarterback-driven unit.

"He's a very confident thrower, makes a lot of really tight windows, but can also read and understand where to go with the ball when it's not there," Bielema said. "He doesn't try to force anything."

Sports on 09/26/2014

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