NO. 17 ARKANSAS VS. NO. 10 TEXAS A&M

Diversified attack: Aggies add run to strong pass game

Texas A&M head coach Kevin Sumlin looks towards his bench during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game against Prairie View A&M Saturday, Sept. 10, 2016, in College Station, Texas. Texas A&M won 67-0. (AP Photo/Sam Craft)
Texas A&M head coach Kevin Sumlin looks towards his bench during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game against Prairie View A&M Saturday, Sept. 10, 2016, in College Station, Texas. Texas A&M won 67-0. (AP Photo/Sam Craft)

FAYETTEVILLE -- Texas A&M Coach Kevin Sumlin has made a habit each summer at SEC media days of promising a better running game to match the Aggies' prolific passing attack.

It hasn't always worked out.

The Aggies ranked 12th in the SEC in rushing in 2014 and eighth in 2015.

Sumlin again vowed in the offseason that Texas A&M would be more committed to the run with Oklahoma graduate transfer quarterback Trevor Knight at the controls and Noel Mazzone in his first year as offensive coordinator.

This time, the Aggies are delivering.

Arkansas will take on the SEC's No. 2 rushing offense when the No. 17 Razorbacks (3-0) face the No. 10 Aggies (3-0, 1-0 SEC) in an early SEC West showdown on Saturday at 8 p.m. at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

Texas A&M has mashed its way to 237 rushing yards per game, and with Knight and the passing game ranking third in the SEC with 293.7 yards per game, the Aggies lead the conference in total offense.

"I tell you what, we are obviously going to be challenged," Arkansas defensive coordinator Robb Smith said before going through a deep list of the dangerous Texas A&M skill players. "We've got to really be on our A-game as we match things up and prepare for these guys both in the run game and the passing game, based on where those receivers are aligned."

While the Aggies have played one weak opponent in Prairie View A&M -- and got rich with 672 total yards in a 67-0 rout -- they have also lit up UCLA for 442 yards and Auburn for 478 yards.

Knight, who averages 276.7 passing yards per game, has a treasure trove of receivers to pick from of all body types. Most of them have done damage against the Razorbacks in the past.

"They have great strengths everywhere," Arkansas defensive backs coach Paul Rhoads said.

On the short, fast side are sophomore Christian Kirk, the SEC freshman and newcomer of the year in 2015, and junior Speedy Noil. Veterans Josh Reynolds, Ricky Seals-Jones, Damion Ratley and Boone Niederhofer are all 6-3 or taller.

Kirk has a team-best 18 catches for 186 yards and 2 touchdowns. He torched the Razorbacks for a season-best 255 all-purpose yards in last year's 28-21 Texas A&M victory in Arlington. Kirk, 5-11, 200, took a short crossing route from the slot for a 44-yard touchdown against Henre Toliver in the second quarter. He caught a 20-yard fade from Kyle Allen against Toliver for the Aggies' winning score in overtime.

"He's very shifty, very athletic," Arkansas safety Josh Liddell said. "He's very good in space. We've got to build a trap around him and not let him get loose like we did last year."

Reynolds, a 6-4, 193-pound senior, has 13 catches for 229 yards and 2 touchdowns. His 59-yard catch and run touchdown from Kenny Hill with 2:08 remaining tied the 2014 game at 28-28. Seals-Jones, a junior, has nine receptions for 128 yards. Noil, a junior, has 6 receptions for 84 yards and 1 touchdown.

"I think from left to right they are a very, very skilled wide receiver corps," said Rhoads, describing Kirk as a great route runner with excellent speed and referring to the big group by their jersey numbers.

Reynolds, No. 11: "is tall and very fluid and can go up and get it."

Seals-Jones, No. 9: "is huge. He's going to shield you off, but he can run, too."

Noil, No. 2: "on the other side ... is equally explosive and good coming out of his breaks."

"They're effective because they're fast, talented, have great hands and they go up and get it. If you have a recruiting check list, they check it all."

The addition of the 6-1, 215-pound Knight, who has rushed for 151 yards and three touchdowns, has given Sumlin's offense its dual-threat catalyst.

"He doesn't really get rattled," Arkansas Coach Bret Bielema said. "He's got a great group of wide receivers around him that understand the game, and they've designed it that way. The addition to this year's team is the running game. Without a doubt, they've got two or three backs that go through there, as well as the quarterback."

Trayveon Williams has rushed for 236 yards, much of it coming on an 89-yard breakaway at Auburn last week.

"They've definitely got some weapons. It all starts with that offensive line though," Arkansas defensive line coach Rory Segrest said. "They're a big, physical group and do a great job with that zone scheme, covering up some guys and creating gaps for their runners."

The presence of Knight gives the Aggies run-pass conflicts and option-style decisions on most plays.

"On those zone plays, there tends to be a gap open for that quarterback to run," tackle Jeremiah Ledbetter said. "But as far as like the zone run, they want to run it outside. Not too much up the middle."

Arkansas has done a solid job at limiting Texas A&M's run game the past couple of years, but this game presents a tougher challenge.

"We've just got to be prepared for anything," linebacker Brooks Ellis said. "They run so many different things that we've just got to protect those areas of the field and know what they're doing at all times. They have a very diverse offense and lots of good players all over the field."

A couple of areas where the Aggies have struggled are the red zone and in completion percentage. Knight is completing 52.9 percent of his passes, which ranks 10th among SEC quarterbacks. Knight's efficiency rating of 122.04 is ninth in the conference, well behind SEC leader Chad Kelly (164.2). The Aggies also have had trouble converting in the red zone, particularly last week when they managed one touchdown and four field goals in five trips inside the Auburn 20.

"He hasn't been perfect, but I think he's gotten better every week and that's what we've asked him to do," Texas A&M Coach Kevin Sumlin said of Knight. "He's an older guy, and you know he's got some talent around him."

Sports on 09/23/2016

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