Texas A&M Aggies Lose Three Key Defensive Players In Loss vs. Tennessee
Can things get worse for Texas A&M heading into the bye week?
Actually, yes, but Jimbo Fisher and the staff won't have answers on that until likely Monday morning.
The Aggies lost their eighth consecutive true road game Saturday, 20-13, against No. 19 Tennessee at Neyland Stadium. Sure, the taste of defeat stings, but losing three potential game-changing players might send the season off its rails.
Defensive linemen Albert Regis and Walter Nolen both left Knoxville with lower-body injuries. Regis, one of A&M's better rotational defensive tackles, was seen on crutches after needing medical assistance to get off the field in the first half.
Nolen, a native of Powell, Tenn., and former top defensive recruit, was carted off with six minutes remaining in the fourth quarter.
"We'll wait and see," Fisher said postgame. "I don't know what those will be."
Defensively, A&M (4-3, 2-2 SEC) made proper adjustments to contain Tennessee quarterback Joe Milton from attacking deep. The senior was held to 100 passing yards and tossed a costly red zone interception to defensive back Josh DeBerry at the start of the fourth quarter.
But the Aggies couldn't find a formula in stopping the Volunteers' ground game, headlined by Jaylen Wright and Jabari Small. Tennessee (5-1, 2-1 SEC) totaled 232 rushing yards, 136 of which came from Wright.
Tennessee defensive back Dee Williams (No. 3) breaks free of a pair of Texas A&M defenders for a 39-yard punt return for a touchdown at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn.
USA Today- Sports.
A&M, which entered Saturday holding offenses to 84 yards on the ground per contest, was also without two of its better tacklers for most of the game. Defensive back Bryce Anderson was ruled out pregame with an undisclosed injury. Leading tackler and standout linebacker Edgerrin Cooper left just before halftime and did not return.
Tennessee took advantage, converting 7 of 15 third downs and totaling 332 yards. As for the Aggies, Bobby Petrino's offense managed to muster up a season-low 222 yards.
Max Johnson was sacked twice, but also was under duress. He also threw two interceptions in the fourth quarter.
“We’ve played two good fronts,” Fisher said of the Volunteer and Alabama defensive lines. “You’ve got to remember you played a front that has made as many negative plays as we did. They’ve got front guys that are going to get drafted and play and it was a good game.”
The hope is Cooper and Anderson will be back for Week 9's showdown against South Carolina at Kyle Field. Regis and Nolen's status likely won't be determined until after the bye week.
The Aggies need to steer the ship out of murky waters before another 5-7 season emerges from the depths of November. But they also need rest, especially for players who are impactful names on a defense that's been working overtime since the start of conference play.
