Post-Game Review: No.5 Texas A&M 10, Colorado 7

Whether it’s altitude or attitude, the No.5 Texas A&M displayed serious ineptitude in a 10-7 win over Colorado at Empower Field in Denver.

Halfway through the fourth quarter, the Aggies were trailing 7-3 and threatening for the first time in all game at Colorado 13.

In the third and third, Zach Calzada rushed for the first down and more. As he reached the goal line, Calzada fumbled a few inches before putting A&M in front. Colorado recovered the ball in the end zone. Fortunately, A&M’s defense never gave in, forcing another three-and-out to get the ball back to Calzada at A&M 23 with 7:50 to go.

With passes to Isaiah Spiller and Devon Achane for 12 and 25 yards, respectively, Calzada once again moved the Aggies into Buffaloes territory. Achane then drove 11 yards to Colorado 29. On another third down occasion, Calzada delivered a strike to a plunging Spiller for eight yards and a first down at 19.

After a late game penalty, Calzada rolled to his left and threw a pass to Spiller in the end zone to put the Aggies in the lead with less than three minutes to go.

Constant pressure over three straight games and a cover sack on the third down forced Brendon Lewis and the Buffaloes in a crucial fourth and 13 points. An 11-yard finish to Dimitri Stanley wasn’t enough for Colorado as the Aggies took over with 1:40 to go.

A&M closed the match in formation victorious as the Maroon & White avoided catastrophic upheaval.

The defensive fight started early as the Aggies scored three and came out to start the fight. Colorado’s first series ended on its third game thanks to a Jayden Peevy interception after Aaron Hansford pressured Brendon Lewis. However, A&M couldn’t capitalize with Seth Small missing a 53-yard field goal attempt after a three-and-out.

Fortunately for A&M, the defense held on, forcing the Buffs off the field quickly. Unfortunately for A&M, an injury to Haynes King forced Zach Calzada into the game. The offensive struggles continued as Colorado’s defense threw its third straight three-and-out.

Colorado finally found an attacking rhythm in their third series, helped by poor tackles from the Aggies. At the third and fifth points, Lewis struggled to escape the pressure, but Antonio Johnson was unable to knock him off the line. Two plays later, Lewis kept 30 yards until A&M 19. Even a false start didn’t slow down the Buffs as Jarek Broussard found the end zone on a two-yard run to open the scoring.

After another three-and-outs from Texas A&M, a 65-yard boot from Constantinou toppled the court as Colorado took over inside its 20. The Buffs entered A&M territory, but early in the game. the second stanza, Cole Becker pushed a 46- yard wide right-yard scoring attempt. However, the Ags responded with another three-and-out.

The Buffaloes took over in midfield and dug deep into A&M territory before hitting a Maroon & White wall. After failing to convert at second and third and short, Colorado opted to go in fourth, but the Aggies stopped a quarterback and took over at 5.

After trading three and-outs, A&M finally got their first try of the game with 1:44 left in the second quarter on a 15-yard run from Devon Achane. A&M moved to Colorado territory, but despite their early signs of life, the Aggies were content with a 41-yard field goal from Small with 25 seconds to go.

The punt-fest continued in the third as Constantinou and Josh Watts of Colorado each kicked the ball three times into the frame. The teams combined for just four first downs throughout the quarter.

Watts opened the final stanza with a 46-yard kick aided by a blocking penalty in the back against A&M, putting Calzada and the Aggies on their own 13. For the first time today, A&M’s offense finally took off. showed serious tenacity, converting three third-down situations as the Aggies entered the field. Calzada hit Jalen Wydermyer 29 yards as the Maroon & White entered the red zone.

Then came the heartbreaking fumble followed by another three-and-out courtesy of A&M defense and a formidable response from Calzada and Aggie’s offense.

Arguably the Aggies won’t savor the moment at Empower Field and instead look to get out of Denver as quickly as possible with their championship dreams still intact. Exhale.

SCREAMED – Defense. Mike Elko of Texas A&M and Chris Wilson of Colorado put together excellent game plans as the defensive fight continued for 60 minutes. Neither team has exceeded 300 total attacking yards.

TROUBLE – Texas A&M’s offense struggled to get things done, and an early injury to Haynes King further hampered Aggie’s offensive success. A&M didn’t have a first try until the last two minutes of the second quarter and finished with 15 overall. The Aggies gathered just 295 yards overall (98 rushing, 191 passing) but did enough to escape with a W.

ROTATING – Led by four and facing third and third at 18th, Zach Calzada threw a pass to Isaiah Spiller in the end zone to put A&M in the lead with just 2:41 left.

UNKNOWN HERO – After not being called up in the first game, Nik Constantinou kicked eight times for an average of 49 yards, including a long of 65. The Australian helped Aggie’s defense by keeping the Buffaloes’ offense this far. as possible from the end zone.

KEY STAT – Second half to third down conversions. After going 1 for 8 in the first half, A&M was 7 for 12 on the crucial down in the final 30 minutes of action. Conversely, Colorado was 0-for-6 in the second half on a third down. In the fourth quarter, A&M was 5-for-7 on the third down.

Rating summary

First shift

CU: 2:24 – Two yard touchdown run from Jarek Broussard. Drive: 9 games, 69 yards. UP: 4:43. Colorado 7, Texas A&M 0

Second quarter

A&M: 0:25 – Seth Small Field goal from 41 yards. Drive: 9 games, 57 yards. HIGH: 1:25. Colorado 7, Texas A&M 3

Fourth trimester

A&M: 2:41 – Zach Calzada passes 18 yards to Isaiah Spiller. Drive: 11 games, 77 yards. HIGH: 5:09. Texas A&M 10, Colorado 7