Aggies Defense Continues to Surprise in Arkansas Win

Facing media backlash after an abysmal game early in the season, defensive coordinator DJ Durkin and the Texas A&M Aggie defense have flipped the script over the last three weeks.

After giving up 48 points on the road to Miami in week two, the Texas A&M Aggies' defense has clamped up and allowed opponents to score only one offensive touchdown in the last three games.

With a second consecutive seven-sack game on Saturday against Arkansas, it has become apparent that the Texas A&M defensive line is a force to be reckoned with.

"I thought defensively we were tremendously outstanding," said head coach Jimbo Fisher.

The Aggie defense bent at times in the first half but would never break as they forced the Razorbacks to settle for field goals on their first two drives. In the second half, they continued to keep the Hogs offense quiet, getting a timely pick-six and only allowing a late touchdown when the game was out of reach. 

#24 Chris Russell Jr. and #28 Josh DeBerry make the tackle.  / Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

"The difference in the first half was our defense being able to play really good in the red zone," said Fisher. "The stop on fourth and one was critical, and have us a big momentum swing."

Arkansas quarterback KJ Jefferson ran for over a hundred yards against the Texas A&M defense a year ago. On Saturday, Jefferson was limited to negative three yards on the ground. 

This sudden turnaround on defense has been huge for the Aggies, as they've used it to win their first two SEC games pretty handily against Auburn and Arkansas. But the recent dominance has raised one big question: what changed?

Linebacker Edgerrin Cooper provided an answer following his two-sack performance against the Arkansas offense. 

"I just felt like we needed to get in that rhythm, practice hard, and prepare," said Cooper. "I feel like if I just do my job every time plays are going to come to me."

The Aggie defense certainly looks to be in rhythm going into their biggest test of the season against eleventh-ranked Alabama. Texas A&M will need to prepare for a Crimson Tide offense that scored 40 points on Saturday against Mississippi State and has seemingly found a rhythm of its own.