we beat a top 10 team with key-position starters on the bench

[Crazy Cotton]

We also had non-starters making some key contributions when the game was still being contested - Holloway gashed them several times, gave a glimpse of what Dan must be seeing in him. Brown had 3 receptions. Griffin had a key first down catch. Ritchie with 3 interceptions. Shumpert had a badass block to spring Dak on a third down run. Gabe Miles had some nice catches. Hell, Logan Cooke found out he was playing about 5 minutes before game time and did a great job.

All the hand-wringing about Mullen using so many players in those first three games; maybe this is the upside to that strategy. Our depth across the board is the best I can remember - even in '99 our depth was mostly limited to the defensive line.

 

[thatsbaseball]

Matt Wyatt said Nick James contributed...I confess I wasn`t watching...anybody notice his play

 

[lasher8]

I listened on the radio while I was working. i was kinda busy and somewhat distracted, but heard his name called several times by Jim and Matt during the first half.

 

[DesotoCountyDawg]

I thought Nick played well. He busted up through the middle and rushed Hill into a bad throw.

 

[thatsbaseball]

Matt said he played in situations,had a tackle or two and hurried the QB once. Sounded like he actually added a little depth. Hope he`ll stay at it.

 

[AFDawg]

His motor was moving for sure.

 

[benatmsu]

I remember one specifically. I haven't re-watched the game,so someone can correct the specifics if need be, butt I seem to remember Hill dropped back to pass, and James broke off his block and made a beeline for the QB. It looked like Hill may have underestimated the speed on the big guy, but as he was gaining round, Hill took off about 10 yards in the backfield and threw it away.

Matt Wyatt said Nick James contributed...I confess I wasn`t watching...anybody notice his play

 

[karlchilders.sixpack]

Yes, I did

one play in particular, he was attempting to sack HILL, just the two of them.

I had to do a double take.

 

[mcain31]

I remember on specific time when A&M tried to run that that their little rb tried to lower his shoulder on Nick James. He got swallowed up.

 

[kired]

Second string DE, AJ Jefferson was responsible for 2 sacks (he got credit for 1.5 because Smith finished one off while Jefferson had Hill by the legs).

James played a lot. PJ Jones got banged up a couple of times so maybe that led to more playing time for James.

 

[00Dawg]

AJ Jefferson has to love playing with two future NFL players. On one sack Jones blew up one whole side of the A&M line and put the fear of God in Hill, on the other Preston waylaid the tackle and forced Hill towards Jefferson.
As for James, he was definitely on. I never saw him loafing, and he had at least two hustle plays where I had to check myself to make sure I was looking at a DL as far up field or down field as he was.

 

[bulldognation]

Reverse RAT effect.

 

[Xenomorph]

Laughed at that play. It was like a pea running into an egg. *

*

 

[BiscuitEater]

Agree ..

Nick James showed some real fire. AJ Jefferson was relentless on the end. And, unless it was a QB Scramble, A&M was only able to get miniscule yards on the ground. Period.

Dan's philosophy of getting the 'whole depth chart on the field early' to develop showed up in this game. Gabe looked ready, Holloway stepped up, except for drop Graham looked impressive. Cooke stood in under SEC pressure, averaged 45+ including a 51 yard punt.

Gotta get a shout out to the OL for their excellence after their '4 year leader and signal caller' is sidelined and simply did not miss a beat.

When you think of the drops A&M had, you just know the defense was bringing serious lumber ... and Richie Brown was in the right place 3 times.

Meanwhile, State WR & RBs are making the catches we used to drop. Dak was 20 of 26 & Gabe was 1 of 1. 10 different Dogs caught passes including Dak.

HUGE TEAM WIN