Texas AM opened up SEC West play against Arkansas in a very traditional Texas AM way Scoring on it's opening drive. The drive was perfectly scripted and after just 4 plays taking 1 05 off the clock AM capped off a 49 yard drive with a Brandon Williams TD.
The excitement of the opening TD quickly faded however as Arkansas punched AM right back with a touchdown of their own. Although the drive ended with a 9 yard TD run from Jonathan Williams the effectiveness of the Arkansas passing game is what took everyone by surprise.
The remainder of the first quarter was a slug fest with AM's drives marred by inaccurate passes and dropped balls. In the second Arkansas was the first team to finally break through with a 50 yard TD from Alex Collins and the situation felt bleak. It was 14 7 Arkansas until Edward Pope caught an 8 yard TD from Kenny Hill with a circus catch.
Unfortunately AM couldn't make it to halftime to make adjustments with the game tied. In a very Bielema like fashion his team faked a punt and had a mob of players available to escort Sam Irwin Hill on his 51 yard TD run.
Arkansas furthered their lead in the 3rd quarter on a 44 yard TD pass from Brandon Allen to AJ Derby and it wasn't until the 4th quarter that AM finally found it's footing. First AM caught Arkansas flat footed with an 86 yard TD from Kenny Hill to Edward Pope
Late in the fourth AM was again the beneficiary of a falling Arkansas defender on this 59 yard dime from Kenny Hill to Josh Reynolds
The game ended in regulation at 28 28 and Arkansas winning the overtime coin toss opted to open up on defense. It only took one play for AM to move the entire 25 yard overtime length of the field as Malcome Kennedy slipped behind the Arkansas defense and found himself completely open for a pass from Kenny Hill
Arkansas offense took the field needing a touchdown to tie the game up for a shot to win it in a 2nd OT. The Aggie defense held tough completely shutting down Jonathan Williams on back to back plays with a net gain of 1 yard. On 3rd and 9 the Aggies gave up an 8 yard out to AJ Derby teeing up a 4th and 1 that Arkansas had to convert.
With an offensive line averaging 328.4 lbs and a running back corps that looks like one of the best in the country it felt like a 4th and 1 conversion was all but a given. The Aggie defense broke into the backfield however and won the game for AM with a monstrous stop
AM Defensive Line Coach Terry Price summed up the feelings of both players and fans after the game
All hail the magical powers of the Aggie Rally Baby
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