FACTS & STATS: Site: Kyle Field (106,511) — College Station, Texas.
Television: SEC Network. Home Record: ULM 3-1, Texas A&M 2-1. Away Record: ULM
0-3, Texas A&M 2-2. Neutral Record: ULM 0-0, Texas A&M 1-0. Conference Record:
ULM 2-2, Texas A&M 2-3. Series Record: Texas A&M leads, 2-0.
GAME NOTES: Attempting to put an end to its three-game losing streak, the
Texas A&M Aggies will step out of SEC play on Saturday afternoon to take on
the ULM Warhawks at Kyle Field.
ULM is in the midst of a three-game losing streak of its own, most recently
falling at home to Texas State, 22-18. The Warhawks are just 3-4 overall,
which includes a 2-2 mark in the Sun Belt Conference.
Texas A&M was once ranked as high as No. 6 following a 5-0 start. It was put
to the test in October with three straight games against three of the nation’s
best but fell handily to Mississippi State (48-31), Ole Miss (35-20) and
Alabama (59-0) to plummet quickly out of the rankings. The Aggies are now just
5-3 overall (2-3 SEC) and will close out the regular season with three more
tough matchups against Auburn, Missouri and LSU.
The Aggies have beaten the Warhawks in both previous meetings, most recently
at home in 2007, 54-14.
The Warhawks’ offense is one of the nation’s worst, as they rank 118th in
scoring (17.6 ppg) and have put up more than 22 points just once in seven
games. They underwhelmed once again in their most recent contest with just one
touchdown.
Pete Thomas has taken care of the football, throwing just four interceptions
in 264 pass attempts, but he hasn’t done much else to impress. He’s completing
less than 59 percent of his passes for 1,562 yards and seven touchdowns.
Despite ranking third on the squad in receptions (30), Ajalen Holley has
amassed a team-best 534 yards and five touchdowns. Rashon Ceaser (41
receptions, 337 yards) and Kenzee Jackson (37 receptions, 428 yards, two TDs)
are solid possession guys.
Centarius Donald has piled up 436 yards and four touchdowns on 103 carries,
but the Warhawks’ rushing attack overall has been lackluster with 93.0 ypg on
a mere 2.7 yards per carry.
While ULM’s defense isn’t quite strong enough to support an underwhelming
offense, the unit has still been solid in allowing 27.1 ppg and 364.7 ypg
while holding opponents to just a 30-percent conversion rate on third down.
Mitch Lane is the team leader in tackles (52) and has also picked off three
passes. Gerrand Johnson, Hunter Kissinger, Michael Johnson and Ray Stovall
have impressed in the front seven with a combined 24.5 TFL and 14.5 sacks,
with Kissinger adding a pair of interceptions as well.
Texas A&M’s potent offense (38.4 ppg, 515.8 ypg) has seen a steep decline in
production as its competition has improved, culminating in a shutout loss to
Alabama its last time out. It was the first time the team had been blanked
since 2003.
Kenny Hill was a Heisman Trophy contender early in the season but his play has
tapered off drastically. He threw for just 138 yards, was sacked five times
and was picked off once against Alabama. Despite his recent struggles, Hill
still ranks sixth in the nation in both passing yards (2,649) and touchdowns
(23) with an impressive completion percentage (.667).
The Aggies have one of the nation’s deepest receiving corps, boasting six
players with at least 25 receptions. Josh Reynolds has been the most dynamic
of the bunch with 518 yards and eight touchdowns on 32 catches. Malcome
Kennedy (382 yards, two TDs) and Ricky Seals-Jones (377 yards, three TDs)
share the team lead with 37 receptions, with Kennedy doing so having missed
two games.
A successful three-headed rushing attack consists of Trey Williams (313 yards,
five TDs), Tra Carson (279 yards, four TDs) and Brandon Williams (209 yards,
two TDs).
After a great start to the season, the Aggies’ defense has tailed off
considerably in recent weeks, and they had no answer for the Crimson Tide in
their last game in allowing 59 points and more than 600 yards. On the season,
the unit gives up 27.1 ppg and 422.6 ypg while creating just six takeaways.
Myles Garrett has been outstanding as a freshman with 7.5 sacks and another
seven QB hurries. The only other defensive standout is Deshazor Everett, who
leads the team with 53 tackles and has one of the team’s two interceptions.
Texas A&M has been reeling of late, but its bye week came at a perfect time
for it to assess its issues and try to move forward. A soft non-conference
home matchup in a good place to start, as the Warhawks won’t have much of a
chance at keeping pace with the high-powered Aggies.
Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Texas A&M 51, ULM 17
