Aggies’ defense looks to settle score with Bulldogs’ Fitzgerald
COLLEGE STATION — Texas A&M coach Kevin Sumlin traded Xs and Os for a few hours of Ks and “Whoa” last weekend, when the Aggies were enjoying their off weekend and the Astros were beating the New York Yankees to advance to the World Series.
“The energy in that building was ridiculous last Saturday night,” Sumlin said of attending the Astros’ Game 7 victory over the Yankees in Minute Maid Park. “You look at where the (Astros) are with those young guys, where they were a year ago to this season, and the energy level and how hard they play … I’m rooting for them.”
By Sunday morning, Sumlin was back grinding and analyzing his young defense’s energy level and how hard it was playing, and just like the Astros, he’s enjoying what he’s seeing. Especially in the Aggies’ ability to get after quarterbacks with 28 sacks in seven games — a measurement put to a bigtime test on Saturday night against Mississippi State.
“Statistically, they’re the least sacked team in the league, and we lead the league in sacks,” Sumlin said. “Even if you’re not a big stat person, that’s hard to ignore at this time of the year.”
A year ago, even with two high-to-middling NFL draft selections in Myles Garrett (No. 1 overall) and Daeshon Hall (third round) playing defensive end, the Aggies finished with 39 sacks in 13 games, 11 more than they’ve had in seven games this season.
Defensive end Landis Durham leads the way with 5½ sacks, linebackers Otaro Alaka (five) and Tyrel Dodson (4½5) follow, and end Jarrett Johnson has chipped in 3½.
“With John Chavis as their defensive coordinator, they play a very aggressive style,” Bulldogs coach Dan Mullen said. “They’ve got great athletes, and they attack.”
The Bulldogs (5-2, 2-2) have been among the nation’s best at quashing attacks, thanks to a big, bruising offensive line and quarterback Nick Fitzgerald’s agility and strength.
“They protect him, and he’s very mobile,” Sumlin said. “There are some challenges for us (in getting to the quarterback) and it’s not just him, but their scheme, too.”
The Aggies (5-2, 3-1) are all too aware of Fitzgerald’s scrambling, considering last season he sprinted 74 yards for a touchdown to kick start the Bulldogs’ 3528 upset of A&M, which at the time was slotted No. 4 in the first College Football Playoff ranking of 2016.
“He ran from us the first play of the game last year,” Sumlin said.
Dodson said the Aggies defenders haven’t forgotten that run in Starkville, Miss., that set the tone for one of A&M’s most disappointing days since joining the SEC in 2012.
“That still lingers in our
mind,” Dodson said.
“Obviously that first play was big,” Fitzgerald said. “We had a great start to the game, and from there we just controlled the line of scrimmage and successfully moved the ball up and down the field.”
This season, Fitzgerald is third in the SEC in total offense with 249 yards per game and 10th in rushing with 80 yards per game.
“We know we have our hands full with Nick Fitzgerald,” Dodson said. “He’s big and fast, and the heart and soul of that whole Mississippi State team. He can beat us with his legs, and he can beat us with his arm. We have to stay in our gaps and play Aggie defense.”