First off, sorry, Lamar - you don't rate grades. Certainly you kept trying, but there really isn't enough to really evaluate.
Overall, I was VERY impressed with the composure this team showed - a young, talented squad after winning such a big game in Carolina, against a very weak opponent. It just screamed to me "letdown." And then throw in a two hour rain delay? Yet we saw a level of cool professionalism that was outstanding. Perfect? No. But very very solid. Impressive. It certainly validates what I have been thinking and hoping was true about this coaching staff - that they have the pulse of the team locked in and know how to manage it.
I do want to take a moment to do a quick set of follow-on hits from my in-game post.
Kyle Allen - well done. Fantastic recovery from what could easily have been a derailing interception. Obviously, the opponent wasn't a huge challenge, but they were good enough to make you pay for a mistake (and that just changed my mind about something, btw) and Allen overcame that mistake to be very very good.
Very glad to read that the injuries to Clear and Carson are not long-term injuries and were ones that they would have played with had their services been needed. Still very worried about Jordan's injury, though. And want to know more about the knock Matthews took...
Ok, let's get to the grades.
Lamar - I have changed my mind. I am going to give an overall grade of "C" for them. Why? Because while they didn't have any special athletes that cause the Aggies any problems, they played the game with effort and as well as they could, and on top of that, when the Aggies did make a mistake (Allen, Noil, etc.), they exposed it. (I can't really say they "made them pay," because that didn't really materialize, but they convert the interception off Allen's bad decision, etc.) No one quit, no one got mentally sloppy, no one started doing stupid things that might injure themselves or opponents. They did what they were supposed to do.
Your Fightin' Texas Aggies
Defensive line - A. The roughing penalty on Garrett was the only big gaffe that sticks out to me. Holding a team like Lamar to 3 points is what really good defenses do. Anyone really think that last year's squad would have done nearly as well? Me neither. And it all started with pressure from the front four. Goodness gracious, Garrett looks Von-Miller-legit.
Linebackers - A. Even with the loss of Mastrogiovanni, this group made the plays that needed to be made.
Defensive backs - A. Good game from all, although you have to wonder if Lamar had the talent to really challenge this group. But Deshazor Everett with the INT and great tackle on Lamar's quarterback is great to see.
Overall Defense - A. The Rice game should give this group more of a test, but to the extent that they could, it looked like they worked on and improved on the things that were apparent problems from the South Carolina match.
Offensive line - A+. What a group of road graders. Not a huge test, so not a whole lot we can say, but they didn't make mistakes.
WRs - A-. The minus is for the fumble from RSJ. Other than that, they did all the great things they do: well run routes, blocked when it was the right time, made most of the catches they were supposed to make. I really like the depth this group is developing, as well. Add in the recruiting class coming in next year and this is going to be quite the arsenal for any QB.
RBs - A. The absence of Carson is a bit worrisome, but it sounds like it was just precautionary. And hello there, James White. A lot of really good production from a redshirt freshman. Looks like the RB position is as set as the WR position.
QB - B+. This might be a bit harsh, but Hill needs to continue to work on the vertical passing game and the grade reflects Allens INT.
Special Teams - A. Missed being an A+ by four yards, which I bet Noil will make sure to get the next time he is that close to goal.
Coaching - A+. across the board, continually this team is well prepared physically, mentally and schematically. Very impressive.
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