Post Game Review: No. 8 Texas A&M 42, Arkansas 31

Kellen Mond quieted his naysayers on Saturday night.

After being a game manager in Texas A&M’s win over Mississippi State two weeks ago, Mond passed the rock with pinpoint accuracy as the Aggies rolled to a 42-31 win over Arkansas at Kyle Field.

It was a record-setting night for the A&M signal-caller as Mond became the Texas A&M all-time total yardage leader, surpassing Johnny Manziel’s previous record of 9,989 yards. Mond now sits at 10,015 total yards in his career.

Following a game-opening drive that ended in a punt, the Aggies found the end zone on six consecutive possessions (A&M took a knee to end the first half following a missed field goal with six seconds left). In total, A&M amassed 442 yards against an Arkansas defense that was considered one of the best in the SEC. The Razorbacks had no answer for the Aggies’ passing or ground attack as A&M threw for 260 yards and rushed for another 182.

Arkansas actually opened the scoring, but A&M answered back immediately. Mond led a 75-yard touchdown drive in which he completed all four of his passing attempts, including two to Hezekiah Jones, who returned from injury. Mond connected with Ainias Smith for a 35-yard catch-and-run as the sophomore receiver found the endzone for the fifth time this year.

Pool Photo-USA TODAY Sports

Ainias Smith tight-roped the sideline on his first score of the game.

Texas A&M’s defense then forced a three-and-out, and the Aggies followed with a four-play touchdown drive capped off by an Ainias Smith 15-yard touchdown run. Also on the drive, Arkansas safety Jalen Catalon was disqualified for targeting after he hit Chase Lane with the crown of his helmet.

After a missed field goal from the Razorbacks on their next drive, the Aggies took advantage of the favorable field position as Mond and Co. drove down for yet another touchdown — a six-yard pass to Jalen Wydermyer in the back of the end zone — to make it 21-7.

Still, the Razorbacks refused to go easily. On their next possession, A&M’s defense forced fourth-and-2 at the Arkansas 49. However, Feleipe Franks connected with Burks on a deep ball for a first down. Two plays later, Tyson Morris would find the endzone and bring the Hogs within a score.

Kellen Mond and the Aggie offense stayed hot as the Maroon & White responded with their fourth-consecutive touchdown drive. Jimbo Fisher utilized a balanced attack as the Aggies went 74 yards in 3:00 minutes, punctuated by an Isaiah Spiller 6-yard touchdown run to make it 28-14.

A penalty-plagued defensive series hurt the Aggies to open the second half. A targeting call on third-down disqualified freshman cover man Antonio Johnson and allowed Arkansas to keep the ball. Then, a pass interference call on Jaylon Jones moved the Razorbacks into the red zone. Fortunately for A&M, Arkansas was flagged for holding on third down forcing a third-and-21 situation, which the Hogs did not convert. Instead, the visitors were forced to settle for a 34-yard field goal to push the scoring to 28-17.

A&M wasn’t going to let the Hogs chip away as they continued to pour it on offensively. Kellen Mond completed all six of his passing attempts as the Ags cruised to a 75-yard touchdown drive. Mond connected with Wydermyer in the endzone for the second time, giving A&M a 35-17 advantage.

After another Arkansas three-and-out, the Aggies again went the length of the field to find paydirt. This time, it was true freshman Devon Achane crossing the goal line as he broke loose for a 30-yard touchdown run.

The Razorbacks responded with a touchdown drive of their own as Franks connected with Burks for a 16-yard touchdown, trimming A&M’s lead to 42-24.

Following an exchange of punts, Arkansas’ defense finally forced their first three-and-out with just 6:45 remaining in the game. The Hogs got the ball at their 45-yard line following the Nik Constantinou punt.

Arkansas would add another touchdown with 39 seconds remaining courtesy of a 16-yard rush from former Aggie Rakeem Boyd. Texas A&M would recover the ensuing onside kick and kill the clock.

RUMBLED: Kellen Mond played perhaps his best game of the season, and yes, I saw what he did against Florida. He aired it out for 260 yards and three passing touchdowns. Mond also had success on the ground as he added 32 rushing yards.

STUMBLED: Many national pundits heralded Arkansas’ defense as one of the best in the Southeastern Conference. Texas A&M’s offense moved the ball with ease, amassing 442 yards and scoring 42 points. The Razorbacks’ defensive performance was aggressively average. A&M’s defense was also less than stellar as Arkansas gained 461 total yards.

UNSUNG HERO: The Maroon Goons up front were fantastic. There’s no tangible statistic to point that shows how great the Aggie offensive line was, but Kellen Mond walked away with a pristine jersey on Saturday night. Arkansas could not muster a single sack.

TURNING POINT: Let’s be honest, this was an offensive domination from start to finish (well, at least until halfway through the fourth quarter) for the Aggies. If there was one “turning point” to single out, it would have to be AJ Reed’s first missed field goal attempt. A&M’s offense responded with a touchdown, took a 21-7 lead and never looked back.

KEY STAT: Turnovers. Arkansas entered the game leading the nation with 10 interceptions. Texas A&M did not turn the ball over once.

Scoring Summary

First-quarter:

ARK: 8:09 - Feleipe Franks 6-yard touchdown pass to Treylon Burks. Drive: 12 plays, 87 yards. TOP: 4:49. Arkansas 7, Texas A&M 0.

A&M: 3:57 - Kellen Mond 35-yard touchdown pass to Ainias Smith. Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards. TOP: 4:12. Texas A&M 7, Arkansas 7.

A&M: 0:34 - Ainias Smith 15-yard touchdown run. Drive: 4 plays, 58 yards. TOP: 2:22. Texas A&M 14, Arkansas 7.

Second-quarter:

A&M: 6:43 - Kellen Mond 6-yard touchdown pass to Jalen Wydermyer. Drive: 11 plays, 69 yards. TOP: 5:35. Texas A&M 21, Arkansas 7.

ARK: 4:13 - Feleipe Franks 1-yard pass to Tyson Morris. Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards. TOP: 2:30. Texas A&M 21, Arkansas 14.

A&M: 1:13 - Isaiah Spiller 6-yard touchdown run. Drive: 7 plays, 74 yards. TOP: 3:00. Texas A&M 28, Arkansas 14.

Third-quarter:

ARK: 10:22 - AJ Reed 34-yard field goal. Drive: 11 plays, 58 yards. TOP: 4:38. Texas A&M 28, Arkansas 17.

A&M: 5:22 - Kellen Mond 15-yard touchdown pass to Jalen Wydermyer. Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards. TOP: 5:00. Texas A&M 35, Arkansas 17.

A&M: 0:56 - Devon Achane 30-yard touchdown run. Drive: 6 plays, 68 yards. TOP: 2:36. Texas A&M 42, Arkansas 17.

Fourth-quarter:

ARK: 13:09 - Feleipe Franks 16-yard touchdown pass to Treylon Burks. Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards. TOP: 2:47. Texas A&M 42, Arkansas 24.

ARK: 0:36 - Rakeem Boyd 14-yard touchdown run. Drive: 6 plays, 69 yards. TOP: 1:29. Texas A&M 42, Arkansas 31.