Aggies’ win isn’t an upset considering how it was gained
It may have needed to be won in overtime, but Texas A&M’s 31-24 victory over UCLA shouldn’t be thought of as an upset.
That’s because the Aggies outperformed the Bruins for three consecutive quarters, especially in the third when Texas A&M outscored UCLA 14-0. During that span, the Aggies made UCLA quarterback Josh Rosen uncomfortable, made Bruins receivers unsteady in catching balls, and made running back Soso Jamabo pay for carrying the ball.
Credit Aggies defensive coordinator John Chavis for preparing his unit to play its best, which included nabbing three interceptions and making timely plays when it mattered most.
Oh the Aggies had plenty to prove. Coming into the game, the talk was about Rosen, who threw for more than 3,000 yards a year ago. But he looked anything but a quarterback who had a year of experience under his belt.
Sure, Rosen completed 26 of 46 passes for 343 yards and a touchdown, but he’s haunted by three passes to the Aggies, one coming on a tipped pass as the Bruins had reached Texas A&M territory and looked like they were going to score.
Meanwhile, Texas A&M quarterback Trevor Knight looked sensational in both running and throwing the football. Knight completed 22 of 42 passes for 239 yards with a touchdown and an interception. But it was his rushing that undid the Bruins as he compiled 31 yards and two scores. The second rushing touchdown was especially painful for UCLA since it was the game winner.
Aggies coach Kevin Sumlin is now 8-1 in season openers. And equally important he has demonstrated yet again the ability to get a quarterback ready for the beginning of a new year. Texas A&M knocked off another ranked opponent in the first game of the season. And that’s not an easy task to accomplish.
But no one should be surprised it happened.
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