Another trip to Williams-Brice Stadium ended in heartbreak for Texas A&M. Shane Beamer’s South Carolina Gamecocks beat the Aggies 17-9 on Saturday night in a low-scoring game. The result exposed a problem that has followed A&M on the road all season.
A Late Collapse Seals the Game
Texas A&M led 9-7 late in the third quarter. As in its recent game against Alabama, it faded down the stretch. South Carolina kicked a field goal to take the lead. On the Gamecocks’ next possession, quarterback LaNorris Sellers, playing on one good leg, broke free for a 41-yard rushing touchdown that effectively ended the game. The play was a major blow, but the Gamecocks had already shown A&M’s biggest weakness well before it.
Red Zone Trouble Follows the Aggies on the Road
The Aggies looked sharp offensively in Tuscaloosa, but this game was a return to form. A&M again failed to reach the end zone in a road SEC game, and the points came from placekicker David Olano, who hit three field goals. Olano also had his first miss as an Aggie, a 30-yard attempt that sailed wide right to end a 15-play drive late in the third quarter.
The Aggies got inside the red zone three times and scored only once, on an Olano field goal. A&M held the ball for 34:36 and ran four drives of 10 or more plays, yet only two of those drives produced points.
Pressure Builds on the Offense
The stalled offense has fueled criticism of first-year offensive coordinator Holmon Wiggins. Head coach Mike Elko has been firm that he won’t change coordinators during the season. At Monday’s press conference, Elko expressed disappointment in the red zone struggles and said it is a fundamental the team works on constantly.
“It’s extremely disappointing, because I think we do more situational football than most,” Elko said. “It’s disappointing not to see it translate the way we want it to, but again, all you can do is keep working.”
Practice repetitions are one thing. Executing a game-altering drive with a minute left in a loud road stadium is another.
What’s Next for the Aggies
Texas A&M returns home this weekend to face No. 9 Tennessee. The Volunteers just beat former No. 6 Kentucky 34-6 at home.
Bottom Line
Texas A&M can move the ball and control the clock, but it keeps settling for field goals. Until the Aggies turn red zone trips into touchdowns, especially on the road, close games will keep slipping away. Elko has backed his coordinator, so the fix has to come from execution, and it needs to come quickly with a ranked Tennessee team arriving in College Station.
