College and Magnolia - Texas A&M at Auburn 2012At the corner of Auburn and the Internethttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48507/collegeandmagnolia_Fav.png2012-10-27T23:04:10-05:00http://www.collegeandmagnolia.com/rss/stream/33113292012-10-27T23:04:10-05:002012-10-27T23:04:10-05:00Texas A&M 63, Auburn 21 | Postgame Quotes
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<figcaption>Daniel Shirey-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>Reaction from coaches and players after the Aggies' blowout against the Tigers.</p> <p><b>Auburn head coach Gene Chizik</b></p>
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<p>"I think it would be accurate to say that we couldn't stop their run game. We couldn't stop them from throwing the football. Obviously, they punted one time all night so I think that pretty much tells the story. It was a very poor performance defensively. Offensively, we sputtered early in the game. We never seemed to get on track. Against an offense like that, we have to be able to get some first downs. You have to be able to move the football some and take a little bit of pressure off the defense, but early on, we certainly weren't able to do that either. So, it is pretty evident why we got beat. Again, my job is to continue to lead these young guys and again go back to work and try to get a win next week. But again, I think it was very obvious why and how we got beat tonight and the way we did."</p>
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<p><i>What did you tell the team after the game?</i></p>
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<p>"I don't think there is a whole lot you can tell them other than that everybody is hurting the same amount. Just like I told them, I said, `I love you guys for what you are trying to push through, and the adversity that comes with being 1-7.' It's tough. It's tough. Again, we are just trying to continue to push forward to continue to try to encourage them when everything doesn't go exactly like you want it. Your job is to continue as a man to push through and continue to go to work so we will do that again tomorrow, but it's a locker room that is very disappointed and they are hurting. They are used to winning, and they like to win and that just hasn't happened near enough obviously in the last eight weeks. So, we will continue to forge ahead, and we will continue to give them the same message, and we will continue to try to work and improve."</p>
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<p><i>How do you explain how far things have fallen?</i></p>
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<p>"Well, I think you just said it. I don't think there is a simple explanation. I think that a lot of times in football, things happen with momentum or lack of momentum both in games and as seasons unfold. It has been a season where to this point I just feel like there is really not been much momentum gained anywhere to be able to build on what comes with momentum. And so, again, there are several factors in that. It would be hard to put your finger on one, but it is a tough place to be in. There is no question about it, but again, we are going to continue to keep forging forward and trying to work ourselves out of it."</p>
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<p><i>Do you think the season is indicative of the program taking a step back?</i></p>
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<p>"I don't know if I would assess everything in terms of that. I think, again, there are individual battles at individual positions where you have a lot of different dynamics going on whether it is youth or different things. I don't think that is the case. I don't really feel that at all. I feel like we are in a spot that is really rough, and we have to try to pull our way out of it."</p>
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<p><i>Does it get harder to lead the team with each loss?</i></p>
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<p>"I think that in the game of football, I think that you experience a lot of different things. We've experienced a lot of great things here. The challenging part becomes when you experience a lot of lows, which we obviously have experienced here lately. I think it is difficult for anybody no matter what you are facing whether it is a football game or something very difficult in your life. I think it is very challenging for anybody, particularly when your job is to lead people and so, sure it gets challenging, but that is my job, and I am responsible to lead 18- to 22-year-olds through good times and some bad. So again, it has been very challenging and difficult, and I as the leader will not stop forging ahead leading these young guys to the best of my ability."</p>
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<p><i>On Jonathan Wallace and why did he not play earlier in the season?</i></p>
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<p>"I have said it pretty much weekly that Jonathan has been taking bits and pieces of the offense, and I think he has been digesting them for a young guy pretty well. He got in at a point in the game tonight where it was really, really good to see him do some things that really show flashes and signs of him maturing some. But again, you can't throw everything at a young guy and expect him to be able to execute at all. That's number one. Number two, at that point and time in the game, it had calmed down a little bit with a lot of the blitzing and pressures and things of that nature. Not to take anything away from what Jonathan did because I am very proud of him, but when you are asking a guy to take on the whole game plan and all of the things that come with it, it is just not that simple. But I think as everybody saw tonight, you saw flashes of a guy that again, has an opportunity to keep getting weaned on to the different parts of the offense that he can succeed at. I think he showed that tonight."</p>
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<p><i>Does Jonathan Wallace have a chance to start next week?</i></p>
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<p>"Well, we are certainly going to look. I think the film tells a lot, obviously, but there is nobody that could argue he was very productive tonight. It was really good to see that, and I think the players caught a little spark. He is a very confident young man. We will evaluate this upcoming week, and we will see where we are at. Again, the packages that he has had from week to week have been smaller. Even tonight as much as he played, we didn't really vary off of all of the things that we have slowly been feeding him. But for the most part, he executed the things that we asked him to do and in a lot of ways, very well, it appears until we watch the film."</p>
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<p><i>On the problems of the defensive front seven...</i></p>
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<p>"I don't know that I would limit that to the front seven. I would say that was the front 11. I didn't think that we could tackle. I didn't think that we could cover. I didn't think that we could rush the quarterback tonight so I think that is pretty self-evident. I don't think that you can every pin that on one group. I think that you could argue that it was whatever 11 we had out there tonight were pretty ineffective, but I do have confidence that they will come back and go back to work and try to improve."</p>
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<p><i>What is the difference between Auburn vs. Clemson in the season opener and Auburn vs. Texas A&M with their offenses?</i></p>
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<p>"Well, that is a good question. I think that this is a different type of offense. They are different. They are spread, no huddle offenses that are obviously difficult to defend. Some are very different than others. This one is very unique. It is not exactly the same thing that we saw the first week, but until we go back and look at the film and we see why we couldn't stop the running game, it didn't matter what they were running. We couldn't stop it. Whether that is missed fits or guys mis-aligning, I think there was probably a lot of that in there, but this is a different type of spread offense than we faced the first week, and obviously we never slowed it down."</p>
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<p><i>Do you think it is harder on the guys who played on the national championship team to go through this?</i></p>
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<p>"I don't think you can date back to the successes that you had and to say it hurts any more now because you won 22 games the last two years. It hurts. Nobody likes to lose. I know nobody in that locker room likes to lose. I don't know that if I can qualify that it hurts those guys more than anybody else. You have a lot of young freshmen in there that came to Auburn to win so it hurts them, too. I think it is all around very disappointing for everybody in the locker room."</p>
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<p><i>What would you say to the fans that left at halftime?</i></p>
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<p>"I really wasn't focused on that, but if they emptied out at halftime, it's obvious why, and I can't blame them for what they saw. Again, it was just a very poor performance."</p>
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<p><i>Do you move up the timetable to evaluate the program?</i></p>
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<p>"Well, here is the thing. I've addressed that before, and I understand that that is your job. That's everybody's job to ask those questions, and I respect that. But again, I've got one concern. I've got one concern, and my concern is those guys. It is those guys in the locker room and us trying to improve to get a win. So, I am not going there. I understand that it is your job to ask that question. I respect it. I'm not going there, and we are going to keep forging ahead and trying to win."Auburn Player Quotes</p>
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<p><b>QB Jonathon Wallace</b></p>
<p><i>On tonight's performance...</i></p>
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<p>"Overall, we have to find a way to win. We can't go down early. We can't win that way. We need to find a way to come out on fire."</p>
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<p><i>On scoring his first touchdowns...</i></p>
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<p>"It was great. I thought that play really lifted some guys' spirits. It gave us some momentum and got us back in the game. It was great to score, but it wasn't enough."</p>
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<p><i>On his touchdown pass to <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/78558/emory-blake">Emory Blake</a>...</i></p>
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<p>"It was good, but it wasn't enough to win."</p>
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<p><b>DE Nosa Eguae</b></p>
<p><i>On tonight's performance...</i></p>
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<p>"It was a tough one. We just fell into situations where they did great things and we didn't. You have to give Texas A&M all the credit. They came out here and played a great game and we didn't."</p>
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<p><i>On what the team needs to improve on...</i></p>
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<p>"We just have to go out there and communicate better. We have to go out there and expect to win football games."</p>
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<p><b>WR Emory Blake</b></p>
<p><i>On the game...</i></p>
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<p>"They came out clicking. We got beat today. Nobody quit, but I feel like they played a very good game today."</p>
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<p><i>On the passing game...</i></p>
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<p>"We've been working on it all year. [Jonathan Wallace] came in and did a really good job for us. As receivers, we're expected to make plays and the O-linemen started protecting pretty well. That's what happens."</p>
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<p><i>On moving forward in offense...</i></p>
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<p>"We need to just keep pushing. Keep getting better at protection. Keep getting better at running routes. Keep progressing at the quarterback position, and we'll get better. There's no quit in us and we're just going to keep fighting."</p>
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<p><b>RB Tre Mason</b></p>
<p><i>On the game...</i></p>
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<p>"They were a great team and we just got beat."</p>
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<p><i>On the rushing game...</i></p>
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<p>"I'm not really sure, but between me and Onterio, we do what we can do when we get the ball in our hands."</p>
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<p><i>On moving forward in offense...</i></p>
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<p>"Run the ball."</p>
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<p><b>CB Jonathan Mincy</b></p>
<p><i>On the game...</i></p>
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<p>"It was a physical game. We were prepared for it. We just couldn't execute the way we wanted to. We just have to get back at it this next week."</p>
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<p><i>On rebounding from this loss...</i></p>
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<p>"We need to just learn from our mistakes and continue to work."</p>
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<p><i>On what was taken away from this game...</i></p>
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<p>"This is just going to be motivation for when we play them next year."</p>
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<p><b>TE CJ Uzomah</b></p>
<p><i>On the game...</i></p>
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<p>"We played together and fought to the very end, that's what the coaches asked for. We fought and played for each other tonight. Obviously, the outcome wasn't something we wanted, but we fought to the end."</p>
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<p><i>On personal performance...</i></p>
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<p>"The touchdown catch was fun, but I still had a lot of mistakes throughout the game. The catch was a positive, but I also have things to work on."</p>
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<p><i>On what to improve going forward...</i></p>
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<p>"We just have to keep fighting. The players are there. We had opportunities to convert on the plays the coaches were calling today. We just have to convert and keep fighting."</p>
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https://www.collegeandmagnolia.com/2012/10/27/3565392/auburn-vs-texas-am-postgame-quotes-gene-chizikChris Fuhrmeister2012-10-27T22:23:33-05:002012-10-27T22:23:33-05:00Texas A&M 63, Auburn 21 | Rock, Meet Bottom
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<img alt="Auburn's Tre Mason scores in the first half of their college football game against Texas A&M on Saturday, Oct. 27." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/9nJMvMCYzi-FoJGrA-B0T05W3gY=/0x53:1100x786/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/2163149/27auburn01.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Auburn's Tre Mason scores in the first half of their college football game against Texas A&M on Saturday, Oct. 27. | Anthony Hall</figcaption>
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<p>Texas A&M dominated Auburn from start to finish in a game that was over by the end of the first quarter.</p> <p>Texas A&M 63, Auburn 17. We thought Arkansas was rock bottom; we thought Ole Miss was rock bottom; we thought Vanderbilt was rock bottom. Those games weren't rock bottom. Texas A&M 63, Auburn 17 was rock bottom.</p>
<p>The Tiger defense had its worst night in the history of the program, allowing 63 points for the first time since 1917 and 671 yards for the first time ever. Going into the game, it was clear that the Aggies' high-powered offense was going to be a problem for the Auburn defense, but just as with everything else this season, no one thought it would be this bad. A&M quarterback <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/134696/johnny-manziel" class="sbn-auto-link">Johnny Manziel</a> was excellent, completing 16 of 23 passes for 260 yards and two touchdowns and rushing for 90 yards and three more scores. Manziel could have put up true video game numbers, but he was pulled midway through the third quarter when the game was long out of hand.</p>
<p>Trey Williams, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/77453/christine-michael" class="sbn-auto-link">Christine Michael</a> and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/115432/ben-malena" class="sbn-auto-link">Ben Malena</a> each ran for at least 63 yards -- Williams led the way with 109 -- and all three running backs found the end zone. <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/77450/ryan-swope" class="sbn-auto-link">Ryan Swope</a> caught six balls for 140 yards and two touchdowns. Mike Evans added 80 yards on five catches. The Aggies punted for the first time with less than a minute remaining in the third quarter.</p>
<p>To no one's surprise -- no one that has watched the Tigers play football this year -- the Auburn offense struggled for much of the game. Texas A&M scored 28 points before Auburn picked up a first down, and the Tigers finished the game with 325 yards, most of those coming against Texas A&M's second- and third-string defense in garbage time. As it turned out, garbage time began midway through the third quarter. <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/78527/clint-moseley" class="sbn-auto-link">Clint Moseley</a> started the game, but he was knocked out with an ankle injury. The return of <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/136333/kiehl-frazier" class="sbn-auto-link">Kiehl Frazier</a> produced six completions on 11 attempts for 89 yards. Perhaps the lone bright spot was true freshman Jonathan Wallace, who completed 6 of 9 passes for 122 yards and two touchdowns and rushed 13 times for 71 yards, but even that performance should be taken with a grain of salt, as it mostly came against the A&M backups.</p>
<p>The pantheon of Auburn football losses features some significant clunkers. There was Tennessee 42, Auburn 0 in 1980. Alabama 36, Auburn 0 in 2008 was especially painful. Alabama 55, Auburn 0 was an awful way to resume the series in 1948. Saturday night's massacre may not rank as high on the list as those previously mentioned losses, but it isn't far behind. As if he couldn't make his fate any more certain, Gene Chizik continued to produce history in this historically bad season. The score put up by the Aggies hasn't been seen by any Auburn fan younger than 85, just as the dearth of conference wins this season hasn't been seen by any Auburn fan younger than 62. It's one thing for a coach to lead his team to a bad season, but the type of season Chizik is producing is once-in-a-lifetime bad.</p>
<p>Speaking of Chizik -- and the rest of the offensive coaching staff, for that matter: How has he not been able to identify Wallace as the team's best quarterback until now? As it was mentioned earlier, Wallace's performance came against Aggie backups, so it may not be indicative of his true abilities at this point, but he looks to be clearly better than Moseley and Frazier. Wallace made strong, accurate throws, and more importantly, he was quick and decisive with his release. The fact that Chizik and offensive coordinator Scot Loeffler haven't been able to see that Wallace is Auburn's best option at quarterback is just another reason why they are no longer qualified to hold their current positions. As bad as Auburn's quarterback play has been this season, the neglect of Wallace is inexcusable.</p>
<p>Most of those involved with the football program appear to be ready for the season's end to arrive. Unfortunately, four games remain on the schedule, including two against the likely participants in the SEC Championship Game. It's bad now, but this is going to get worse before it gets better.</p>
https://www.collegeandmagnolia.com/2012/10/27/3565108/auburn-vs-texas-am-final-score-recapChris Fuhrmeister2012-10-27T17:50:02-05:002012-10-27T17:50:02-05:00Texas A&M At Auburn Open Thread
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<figcaption>Frederick Breedon</figcaption>
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<p>The Tigers and Aggies square off at Jordan-Hare Stadium. We're discussing it here.</p> <p>This is your open thread for Auburn-Texas A&M. If anyone has any ideas on how to stop the Aggie offense, please get on the horn with the Tiger coaching staff. Thanks in advance.</p>
https://www.collegeandmagnolia.com/2012/10/27/3564338/texas-a-m-at-auburn-open-thread-here-comes-johnny-footballChris Fuhrmeister2012-10-27T15:18:19-05:002012-10-27T15:18:19-05:00Texas A&M Preview: A Tough Test For The Tiger 'D'
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<figcaption>Don McPeak-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>Texas A&M and quarterback Johnny "Football" Manziel will try to run Auburn's defense ragged with their up-tempo spread offense.</p> <p>After two miserable weeks on the road, Auburn (1-6, 0-5 SEC) finally returns home for a matchup with conference newcomer Texas A&M (5-2, 2-2). With a 6 p.m. kickoff at Jordan-Hare Stadium, the hope is the Tigers will be able to feed off an electric energy and provide an inspiring performance like the one seen against LSU. But there are two concerning questions about Saturday's game that didn't exist against the Bayou Bengals: With the season already down the drain, just how electric will the Jordan-Hare atmosphere be, and does Auburn's defense have any shot at stopping the up-tempo spread offense run by A&M.</p>
<p>The Aggies are led by the sensational <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/134696/johnny-manziel" class="sbn-auto-link">Johnny Manziel</a>, who is just about everyone's pick for freshman of the year. Manziel is tied for fifth in the conference with 14 touchdown passes, just two behind SEC leaders <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/78599/aaron-murray" class="sbn-auto-link">Aaron Murray</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/116203/tyler-bray" class="sbn-auto-link">Tyler Bray</a> and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/78259/a-j-mccarron" class="sbn-auto-link">A.J. McCarron</a>, and his 10 rushing TDs are tied with South Carolina running back <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/116171/marcus-lattimore" class="sbn-auto-link">Marcus Lattimore</a> for the conference lead. Manziel is the prototypical spread quarterback, and he has led A&M to the top of the SEC in total offense. The Aggies average 43.0 points and 524.6 yards per game.</p>
<p>For Auburn's defense, Texas A&M provides the toughest challenge of the season. The Tigers have struggled against spread offenses with mobile quarterbacks this season, allowing an average of 463.0 yards and 31.7 points to Clemson, Louisiana-Monroe and Ole Miss. The key to stopping the A&M-style spread is getting into the backfield and blowing the play up before it can begin. In the 2010 BCS Championship Game -- sigh, those were the days -- Auburn was able to shut down Oregon's explosive offense because defensive tackle <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/78561/nick-fairley" class="sbn-auto-link">Nick Fairley</a> was able to consistently get into the backfield and disrupt the play. The run-based spread is all about timing, and if a defense can throw that timing off, the offense will have issues.</p>
<p>Unfortunately for the 2012 version of the Tigers, there is no Fairley to blow up plays in the backfield. The Tiger line has struggled to make an impact all season, especially in the middle. <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/131866/angelo-blackson" class="sbn-auto-link">Angelo Blackson</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/112890/jeffrey-whitaker" class="sbn-auto-link">Jeffrey Whitaker</a> and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/158355/gabe-wright" class="sbn-auto-link">Gabe Wright</a> have rarely provided the kind of push Auburn needs to throw opposing offenses off their games. Defensive ends <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/112891/corey-lemonier" class="sbn-auto-link">Corey Lemonier</a> and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/78557/dee-ford" class="sbn-auto-link">Dee Ford</a> did a nice job at getting pressure through the first four games, but Ford has been hampered by injuries recently, and the play on the line has suffered. With no dominant counterpoint at the other end of the line, Lemonier has been the sole focus of opposing offensive lines, and his impact has disappeared. Against Arkansas, Ole Miss and Vanderbilt, he has compiled just one quarterback hurry and assisted on one tackle. With Lemonier as the only legitimate threat on Auburn's line recently, opposing offenses have been able to completely remove him from the games. As a result, the Tigers' line play has been essentially non-existent lately. Ole Miss and Vanderbilt rushed for 200 and 209 yards, respectively, and Wright generated the only sack by a defensive lineman in those games.</p>
<p>If the line isn't able to slow down the Aggie offense, Auburn's linebackers and defensive backs will likely be hung out to dry. Against the up-tempo spread the Tigers will likely be in a nickel package for most of the game, and if prior history is any indication, A&M is bound to find plenty of room to maneuver. <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/78533/daren-bates" class="sbn-auto-link">Daren Bates</a> will receive plenty of playing time at linebacker, but who joins him is unknown. Freshman <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/158327/cassanova-mckinzy" class="sbn-auto-link">Cassanova McKinzy</a> played well in his debut as a starter against Vanderbilt, but he also made plenty of youthful mistakes. With the Aggies spreading the ball around the field, it wouldn't be a surprise to see McKinzy out of position on a regular basis. Will Auburn rely on the more experienced <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/112869/jake-holland" class="sbn-auto-link">Jake Holland</a>? Maybe, but Holland has had his own struggles with pre-snap positioning, and he hasn't been nearly as productive as McKinzy was last week. Either way, expect to see Auburn's linebackers -- and defensive backs, for that matter -- chasing the game.</p>
<p>The Aggie defense should provide Auburn a chance to move the ball and score points, but the Tigers have been making bad defenses look like the 1970's Steel Curtain all season. Arkansas is giving up 434.6 yards per game, but Auburn managed just 321 against the Razorbacks. That was one week after the Hogs allowed A&M to roll up 716 yards. Ole Miss was allowing 487.3 yards against BCS conference teams, but Auburn totaled 213 against the Rebels. It hasn't mattered how bad the opposing defense has been, the Tigers' offense has found ways to be worse.</p>
<p>The Aggies give up an average of 392.7 yards per game, 10th in the SEC. Aside from defensive end Damontre Moore, the Aggies' 'D' has been strictly mediocre. However, Moore has been the conference's best defensive lineman this season. The 6'4, 250-pound junior has compiled 17 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks, both of which lead the SEC. Auburn's offensive line, which hasn't performed well in recent weeks, must find a way to neutralize Moore. A big reason for Auburn's offensive struggles has been negative plays. Whether it's been penalties, sacks or losses on running plays, Auburn has often found itself in third-and-long situations, and the Tigers have rarely converted. If Moore is allowed to consistently force Auburn into unfavorable down-and-distance situations, the offense won't have much of a chance.</p>
<p>Offensive coordinator Scot Loeffler needs to give running back <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/131875/tre-mason" class="sbn-auto-link">Tre Mason</a> his carries this week. Mason might not have a huge day against the Aggie defense, which allows 138.1 rushing yards per game, but he can set up the rest of the offense. It has been repeated throughout this season, but when Mason is allowed to carry the offense, it finds success, and when Auburn gets away from the sophomore back, the offense struggles. LSU ran for 219 yards on 45 attempts last week. While Auburn isn't likely to put up that number of yards, it would be nice to see the Tigers have that many attempts. It would be even nicer if Mason received at least 20 of those attempts.</p>
<p>Overall, this is a bad matchup for the Tigers. The style of offense A&M employs has been serious thorn in Auburn's side this year, as has the style of defense the Aggies run -- i.e. any at all. Auburn has played well at times during the middles of games, but the Tigers have struggled mightily early and late. Auburn has allowed 28 points on seven opening defensive drives this year, and two of the three scoreless drives ended in missed field goals by opposing kickers. Auburn's fourth-quarter struggles have been well documented, as the Tigers have been outscored 62-6. With A&M's offense, those trends are likely to continue, and Auburn should be in for a long night. <b>Texas A&M 37, Auburn 17.</b></p>
https://www.collegeandmagnolia.com/2012/10/27/3563444/texas-am-at-auburn-preview-2012Chris Fuhrmeister2012-10-26T07:15:08-05:002012-10-26T07:15:08-05:00Talking Auburn-A&M On Around Aggieland
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<figcaption>Frederick Breedon</figcaption>
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<p>We discuss Auburn's season to this point and Saturday's game at Jordan-Hare.</p> <p>The good folks over at Good Bull Hunting, SB Nation's Texas A&M blog, were kind enough to have me on their love podcast last night. If you missed it, ga ahead and give it a listen now. I come in around the 50-minute mark, but the whole thing is worth your time.</p>
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<div style="font-size: 10px;text-align: center; width:220px;">Listen to <a href="http://www.blogtalkradio.com">internet radio</a> with <a href="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/aroundaggieland">Around Aggieland</a> on Blog Talk Radio</div>
https://www.collegeandmagnolia.com/2012/10/26/3557226/auburn-texas-am-podcast-around-aggielandChris Fuhrmeister2012-10-25T14:51:39-05:002012-10-25T14:51:39-05:00Keep Your Enemies Closer | Texas A&M
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<figcaption>Thomas Campbell-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>Among other things, we discuss A&M's move to the SEC, Johnny Football and ColoradoAg's level of drunkenness.</p> <p><i>Thanks to ColoradoAg of SB Nation's A&M blog, <a href="http://www.goodbullhunting.com" target="_blank">Good Bull Hunting</a>, for answering my questions. If you haven't visited GBH, do yourself a favor and do so. These guys are churning out quality content. My answers to their questions should be posted over there sometime tomorrow.</i></p>
<p><b>1. What has the transition been like moving from the Big 12 to the SEC? Are you glad A&M made the move? I'll admit that I wasn't really sure about A&M being a good cultural fit. Y'all think beef counts as BBQ, after all.</b></p>
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<p>So far the transition has been a helluva lot of fun and pretty smooth. Our fan base probably hasn't been this excited since the early 90s. We've seen very positive momentum building in recruiting as well. The administration was smart to hire an exciting, young coach in Kevin Sumlin to guide the transition. We knew we'd have challenges adjusting to the SEC. Our depth isn't where it needs to be and our front seven could stand to be bigger and more athletic in areas, but the whole attitude from our old rivals that we'd just get killed in the SEC was absurd. Texas A&M has every resource available to be a perennial top 20 program. Those resources get negated when you botch a couple coaching hires like we did. Hopefully, we now have the guy that can capitalize on all the available opportunities.</p>
<p>As for being a cultural fit, y'all will just have to come to College Station next year. We're crazy, we're oddballs, and we love college football more than anything. We never really fit with Iowa State, the Kansas schools, etc. We're also really friendly for the most part, so come to the game next year, have some of our beers, and eat brisket - the best of the BBQs. We don't need to slather our meats in sugary sauces to make them good. All that said, I'm no meat snob, and I like Alabama BBQ just fine as well.</p>
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<p><b>2. What about giving up the rivalry with Texas? I know they are as responsible as y'all are for it going by the wayside, but do you wish it could have been salvaged? I mean, I hate Alabama, but I would really hate to give up the Iron Bowl.</b></p>
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<p>Well, I'm clearly biased, but I do think they are more responsible for the rivalry going by the wayside. We've made it abundantly clear that they have an open invitation to play us annually. There are some Ags that seem just fine with the rivalry being dead for now, but I don't like it. As you guys know, part of what makes college football fun is the passion and hate. Playing in the SEC is a ton of fun, but we don't really have anyone on our schedule that we hate yet. So yeah, I wish we could salvage things with the Longhorns. Right now, there are too many egos and hurt feelings. Time heals wounds, and I think we'll play again, hopefully sooner than later. Can you imagine what Johnny Football would do to the Longhorn defense?</p>
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<p><b>3. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/134696/johnny-manziel">Johnny Manziel</a> seems to be the latest best quarterback to play in the SEC ever. What makes him so good? Seeing as he's only a freshman, what is his ceiling at A&M?</b></p>
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<p>This is a cliche, cop-out answer, but he just seems to have that "it" factor. Johnny has this unique confidence that he can do anything and beat anyone. This can get him into trouble as we've seen at times, but it also makes him a helluva lot of fun to watch. He's extremely elusive and has great vision. I think we're only scratching the surface on his potential. He still has a long way to go in terms of pocket presence and developing the patience to go through his reads. Barring injury, he'll be a four year starter and set all kinds of records and hopefully pickup some hardware along the way. Sumlin doesn't let freshman talk to the media, so Manziel has some mystery to him. I don't think I've ever heard him speak.</p>
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<p><b>4. What about the rest of the offense? Any other players we should watch? When the offense is running at peak performance, what does it look like?</b></p>
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<p>Keep an eye on freshman receiver Mike Evans. He is a physical mismatch with DBs and is leading us in all statistical categories. I think true freshman running back Trey Williams is also poised to breakout at some point. He is small, shifty, and very fast. I'm also a big fan of our offensive line led by tackles <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/115454/luke-joeckel">Luke Joeckel</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/115453/jake-matthews">Jake Matthews</a>.</p>
<p>When the offense is firing on all cylinders, it is playing fast and spreading the ball around to a wide range of receivers and backs. We go into this no huddle rhythm that is pretty cool when it is rolling. The idea is to wear out the defense and not let them get lined up in ways they'd like. We'll go five wide where we can run screens or attack in space. Add in the option for Johnny to run a draw, and it is tough to defend.</p>
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<p><b>5. Now that A&M is in the SEC, y'all have to find a school to hate. Who are the likely candidates?</b></p>
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<p>I think LSU is probably the school we'll hate the most. They're our closest neighbors and we have a history with them. And they're LSU. Loud, cocky drunks. I think a sleeper might be Mississippi State for some reason. Probably because their uniforms look like ours.</p>
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<p><b>6. Damontre Moore looks like the Johnny Manziel of the Aggie defense, as he leads the SEC in sacks and tackles for loss. How badly is he going to hurt whomever Auburn plays at quarterback?</b></p>
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<p>Damontre is a bad, bad man. Guys that big shouldn't be as quick as he is. His motor never stops. I think he is benefiting greatly from our new S&C program. Damontre probably thinks y'all are going to play more than one quarterback and is hoping to become acquaintances with both.</p>
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<p><b>7. Aside from Moore, the rest of A&M's defense has pretty average numbers? Is that just because Moore hogs all the stats, or is there a big talent gap between the defensive end and the rest of his colleagues on defense?</b></p>
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<p>We're not where we need to be yet on defense. We have no depth. I've been very pleased with the effort of this year's defense. They're playing with pride that we haven't seen much of over the past decade. We're pretty green in the secondary, as well. After Moore, our best defensive player is senior linebacker <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/77443/sean-porter">Sean Porter</a>.</p>
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<p><b>8. What does an ideal <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/10574/mark-snyder">Mark Snyder</a> defensive game plan look like?</b></p>
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<p>That's a good question. I'm not as savvy with the x's and o's as some of our other writers, but I know that Snyder loves to get after the quarterback and disrupt his rhythm. Some of the secondary strategy has been puzzling. I really like the energy that Snyder brings to the D, and I hope he is around to build some continuity and develop some of our younger guys. The future is bright with the talent we're recruiting on that side of the ball -- a side of the ball that was mostly ignored under Fran and Sherman in terms of recruiting.</p>
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<p><b>9. What matchups in this game really favor A&M? Or are there too many to count?</b></p>
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<p>I'm pretty old school. I'd prefer we just line up behind our great offensive line and run it at your D, but that isn't our M.O. anymore. You'll probably get a steady dose of running backs <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/115432/ben-malena">Ben Malena</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/77453/christine-michael">Christine Michael</a>. Y'all already know all of this, but I think your offense is going to have issues with our blitzing.</p>
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<p><b>10. Are there any matchups you're worried about? If so, how drunk are you right now?</b></p>
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<p>We're not very disciplined on defense. The effort is there, but we make mental mistakes with penalties and big plays. I could see y'all ripping off a couple big plays early to keep it interesting. Oh, and I'm Namath-drunk right now.</p>
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<p><b>11. How do you think the game plays out, and how confident are you in an Aggie win?</b></p>
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<p>I'm curious to see how the Tigers respond to all the negative noise and adversity around them. Chizik has obviously had a difficult week with the unfortunate passing of his mother. It will be interesting to see if the players rally around him. I'm confident that the Ags will win, but y'all are still Auburn and only two years removed from a MNC. There is still plenty of talent to make this an interesting game.</p>
<p>I'll still take the Ags 38-17. Thanks a lot for having me. I'm bummed I can't make it to Jordan-Hare. I've heard great things and plan to make the trip in 2014.</p>
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https://www.collegeandmagnolia.com/2012/10/25/3555106/auburn-texas-am-football-preview-q-and-aChris Fuhrmeister2012-10-24T13:33:59-05:002012-10-24T13:33:59-05:00#FreeTreMason
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<figcaption>John Reed-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>Auburn running back Tre Mason would like to carry the ball more, and he doesn't know why that isn't happening.</p> <p>After every game this season, Auburn fans have been left with questions. One of the most common questions has been "Why isn't <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/131875/tre-mason">Tre Mason</a> getting more carries?" Apparently, <a href="http://www2.oanow.com/sports/2012/oct/23/auburn-rb-mason-ready-willing-carry-football-more-ar-4817740/" target="_blank">Mason would like to know the answer to that one, too</a>:</p>
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<p>"I still don't understand," Mason said. "I want the ball. I want to get the ball in the fourth quarter, toward the end of the game. I feel like I can do something with it, change the outcome of the game."</p>
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<p>Mason and head coach Gene Chizik have both said the sophomore running back needs to be carrying the ball 20 times per game, but for whatever reason, that isn't happening. With Auburn's offense struggling so much, it leaves fans -- and Mason -- scratching their heads when the Tigers' best offensive threat is underused. Mason is plenty confident in his abilities:</p>
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<p>"I'm 100 percent sure I could do that. I felt really good - I think it was the ULM game I got 22 carries. I could run all day. With my heart and my passion? I'm just ready to do this."</p>
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<p>Mason has the numbers to back it up, averaging 5.1 yards per carry. And that quote sounds like a guy with plenty of desire. When a team is slogging through its worst season in 62 years, desire is hard to come by. One might think it would be a good idea to give more touches to a guy that is so eager. According to Chizik, different situations have caused Mason's carries to be limited:</p>
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<p>"As I've said several times, you've got an idea going into games what you'd like to do," Chizik said. "And depending on defensive fronts and defensive blitzes and things of that nature - how the game unfolds - it doesn't always necessarily translate into that. And it could work the opposite. You could have this plan and see something defensively, and they end up getting more.</p>
<p>"It really depends on how the game flows."</p>
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<p>How the game flows? Kids may read this blog, so it's inappropriate to publish the initial reaction to that quote. HOW THE GAME FLOWS? So far this season, Auburn has averaged 276.7 yards per game and has a team quarterback rating of 108.5. Both of those numbers are easily the worst in the SEC. Auburn's offense -- and specifically, its passing game -- sucks; that's how the game flows. Allowing the opposing defense to dictate what Auburn's offense is going to do, especially when that means taking away touches from the best player, is pretty much giving up. The inability to adapt the gameplan and find a way to get Mason more carries out of different looks is inexcusable.</p>
<p>Auburn plays Texas A&M Saturday, and it's a good bet that fans and Mason will be once again disappointed with the running back's number of rushes. If Chizik and offensive coordinator Scot Loeffler want to keep their jobs, they may want to find a way to make some adjustments.</p>
<p>At this point, there's only one thing to say: #FreeTreMason</p>
https://www.collegeandmagnolia.com/2012/10/24/3549506/auburn-running-back-tre-masonChris Fuhrmeister2012-10-24T07:22:24-05:002012-10-24T07:22:24-05:00First Look | Texas A&M at Auburn
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<figcaption>Thomas Campbell-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>The Tigers return home for a date with the Aggies.</p> <h3 style="text-align: center;">TEXAS A&M AGGIES</h3>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">at AUBURN TIGERS</h3>
<p style="text-align: center;">Saturday, 6 p.m. CT, Jordan-Hare Stadium</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">ESPNU (Play-by-play: Clay Matvick, Analysis: Matt Stinchcomb, Sideline: Allison Williams)</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><b>Opening line:</b> Texas A&M -8½ | <b>Over/under: </b>53</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><b>Tickets:</b> <a target="_blank" href="http://ev12.evenue.net/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/SEGetEventInfo?ticketCode=GS%3AAUBURN%3AF12%3A04%3A&linkID=auburn&shopperContext=&pc=&caller=&appCode=&groupCode=FB&cgc=">From Auburn</a> | <a target="_blank" href="http://www9.ticketingcentral.com/V2/Quantity.aspx?t=9B581AC8CF7FC92DAF1AB8&SPSID=632660&SPID=93232&DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=27300">From Texas A&M</a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><b>Series history:</b> Texas A&M leads 2-0</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><b>Last meeting:</b> Texas A&M 36, Auburn 16, Jan. 1, 1986, Cotton Bowl, Dallas</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a target="_blank" href="http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/aub/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/2012-13/release/release_20121023aaa.pdf">Auburn notes</a> | <a target="_blank" href="http://www.aggieathletics.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=205618917&DB_OEM_ID=27300">Texas A&M notes</a></p>
<h4 style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.cfbstats.com/2012/team/697/index.html" target="_blank">TEXAS A&M AGGIES</a> (5-2, 2-2 SEC)</h4>
<p style="text-align: center;"><b>Head coach:</b> Kevin Sumlin (First year: 5-2, fifth year overall: 40-19)</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><b>Offensive coordinator:</b> Kliff Kingsbury (spread/multiple) | <b>Defensive coordinator:</b> <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/10574/mark-snyder" class="sbn-auto-link">Mark Snyder</a> (4-3)</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><b>SB Nation affiliate:</b> <a href="http://www.goodbullhunting.com" target="_blank">Good Bull Hunting</a> | <b>Other coverage:</b> <a href="http://www.dallasnews.com/sports/college-sports/texas-aggies/" target="_blank">The Dallas Morning News</a>, <a href="http://tamu.rivals.com/" target="_blank">AggieYell.com</a></p>
<p>Texas A&M comes into Auburn with a terrifying offense, averaging 524.6 yards and 43.0 points per game, both of which rank ninth nationally. Led by freshman quarterback <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/134696/johnny-manziel" class="sbn-auto-link">Johnny Manziel</a>, A&M gains 303.3 yards on the ground and 221.3 yards through the air, good for 17th and 19th in the country, respectively. The Aggies aren't nearly as good on defense, but they're still respectable. A&M allows 392.7 yards per game, which ranks 64th, but the Aggies give up 22.1 points per game, ranking 38th.</p>
<p>In their last game against LSU, A&M had the Tigers on the ropes at Kyle Field, as the Aggies jumped out to a 12-0 lead midway through the second quarter. LSU took the lead with two scores in the final 2:05 of the half and extended that advantage to 24-12 with 3:32 to play in regulation. A&M scored again to cut the lead to 24-19, but LSU recovered an onside kick and ran out the clock. Manziel had an off day against the stiff Tiger defense, completing 29 of 56 passes for 276 yards and three interceptions.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><b>KEY AGGIES ON OFFENSE</b></p>
<p><b>Johnny Manziel, QB -- </b>With a nickname like "Johnny Football," it's no surprise that Manziel is the Aggies' biggest threat. In addition to ranking second in the SEC with 279.4 passing yards per game, he is also tied for first among all rushers, gaining 100.4 yards per game. With 14 passing touchdowns and 10 rushing touchdowns, Manziel has been called "Baby Cam" by some. We scoff at that.</p>
<p><b><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/115432/ben-malena" class="sbn-auto-link">Ben Malena</a>, RB -- </b>Malena is A&M's leading running back, but he is without a doubt the Aggies' second rushing option. The junior averages just 10.3 carries and 66.0 yards per game, but he is gaining a healthy 6.4 yards per rush. With LSU's defense focusing on Manziel, Malena picked up 82 yards and a score on 12 carries</p>
<p><b>Mike Evans, WR -- </b>Evans is Manziel's favorite target. He averages 6.0 catches for 89.3 yards per game and is gaining 14.9 yards per reception. Evans has only found the end zone twice this year, but he is a valuable piece to the Aggie offense.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><b>KEY AGGIES ON DEFENSE</b></p>
<p><b>Damontre Moore, DE -- </b>Moore is the Aggie defense. He has collected 9.5 of A&M's 21 sacks (45.2 percent) and 17 of the Aggies' 49 tackles for loss (34.6 percent). Both of those numbers lead the SEC. No other A&M defender has more than two sacks or 3.5 tackles for loss.</p>
<p><b><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/77440/dustin-harris" class="sbn-auto-link">Dustin Harris</a>, CB -- </b>Harris has done a nice job this year, breaking up nine passes. The senior has 21 tackles, ranking ninth on the team.</p>
<p><b>Jonathan Stewart, MLB -- </b>Stewart is second on the team in tackles with 48. He has a half sack and half tackle for loss this year, and he has broken up four passes.</p>
https://www.collegeandmagnolia.com/2012/10/24/3546766/texas-am-auburn-preview-johnny-manzielChris Fuhrmeister