Moose Muhammad's Surging Second Half Leads Texas A&M Aggies To Win Over Abilene Christian
COLLEGE STATION -- Moose Muhammad seems to have one breakout game that makes Texas A&M fans wonder why his services aren't on full display.
On Saturday, he had a bit of magic up his sleeves to give his senior teammates a swan song sendoff at Kyle Field.
Muhammad finished with a team-high 104 receiving yards as the Aggies picked up the 38-10 win over Abilene Christian in their home finale. The junior pass-catcher also led the team in yards per reception (26.1).
Muhammad, the son of former NFL Pro Bowl receiver Muhsin Muhammad, always comes alive in November. Last season, he finished with 90-plus receiving yards and a touchdown against Ole Miss and LSU, respectively, at home. In 2021, Moose Muhammad finished with 77 receiving yards and two TDs in the 52-3 win over Prarie View A&M.
After jumping out to a 10-point lead at the half, Jaylen Henderson targeted Muhammad for a career-best 49-yard touchdown with 12:39 in the third. Muhammad also caught a 1st-and-10 pass for a gain of 38.
Henderson, who last week dazzled with a four-touchdown performance against Mississippi State in his first career start, sparkled in bursts against the Wildcats (5-5), completing 16-of-38 pass attempts for 260 yards and two touchdowns. Henderson also connected with Noah Thomas for a 13-yard touchdown pass with just over three minutes remaining in the second half.
Texas A&M honors those who passed away in the bonfire incident in 1999 at Kyle Field Saturday
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The Aggies (7-4, 4-3 SEC) fell behind early after Henderson was intercepted by linebacker Cirby Coheley, who returned it 51 yards for the score. After that, it became more or less a one-score endeavor. A&M held ACU to 103 yards and four first downs in the first half.
A&M did not record a sack until the third quarter, when Taurean York forced Maverick McIvor of the pocket on 3rd-and-8 for a loss of three.The Wildcats settled for a 40-yard field goal from Kyle Ramsey to end their two-quarter scoring drought.
ACU finished with 242 total yards. The Aggies finished with 448.
Freshman running back Rueben Owens took over the backfield and showed A&M fans what to expect moving into 2024. The former five-star led the Aggies with 106 yards and a touchdown. He also broke free for a 28-yard gain in the second quarter to help set up a 34-yard field goal from Randy Bond.
Senior receiver Ainias Smith extended his catch streak to 38 games with an 18-yard gain in the first quarter. Jahdae Walker caught a 40-yard pass to set up Owens' 7-yard touchdown.
Senior tailback David Bailey scored his first touchdown as an Aggie on a 3-yard run with 5:25 remaining. Freshamn quarterback Marcel Reed connected with Jaden Platt for a 13-yard touchdown with just over minute remaining.
Interim coach Elijah Robinson picked up his first win since being promoted in place of Jimbo Fisher. While Robinson, 38, isn't the first name that comes to mind as A&M's next head coach, athletic director Ross Bjork said, "Everyone was an option" following Fisher's firing last Sunday.
Robinson, one of A&M's prominent recruiters, might not have been the top name contacting Muhammad to come to College Station, but he called his number plenty on Saturday. Muhammad dominated the Wildcats' defensive backs before calling it a day.
It's almost like he should have seen more reps during the regular season.
