Tennesse Three Key Defensive Players In Loss …
Can Texas A&M’s situation worsen before the bye week?
Indeed, that is true, but Jimbo Fisher and the team probably won’t have the answers to that until Monday morning.
At Neyland Stadium on Saturday, the Aggies suffered their eighth straight loss in a genuine road game, 20–13, to No. 19 Tennessee. Although losing three players who may change the course of the season is painful, it could also cause the season to collapse.
Walter Nolen and Albert Regis, two defensive linemen, both had lower body ailments when they left Knoxville. Regis, an excellent defensive tackle starter for A&M, was observed using crutches after requiring medical attention to leave the field during the first half.
With six minutes left in the fourth quarter, Powell, Tenn., native and former top defensive prospect Nolen was carried off the field.
Fisher stated after the game, “We’ll wait and see.” “I don’t know what those will be.”
A&M (4-3, 2-2 SEC) made the necessary adjustments on defense to stop Tennessee quarterback Joe Milton from going deep. The senior was limited to 100 passing yards and, early in the fourth quarter, he threw a costly red zone interception to defensive back Josh DeBerry.
The Volunteers (5-1, 2-1 SEC) amassed 232 rushing yards, 136 of which came from Wright, and the Aggies were unable to find a formula to contain them. The Volunteers’ ground game was paced by Jaylen Wright and Jabari Small.
For the majority of the game, A&M, which came into Saturday having limited opponents to 84 yards on the ground per game, was also without two of its finest tacklers. Bryce Anderson, the defensive back, was ruled out of the game prior due to an unidentified ailment. Prominent linebacker and leading tackler Edgerrin Cooper departed shortly before halftime and did not come back.
Tennessee capitalized, scoring 332 yards and converting 7 of 15 third downs. Bobby Petrino’s offense for the Aggies only able to muster a season-low 222 yards of total offense.
Max Johnson was under hardship in addition to being fired twice. In the fourth quarter, he threw two interceptions as well.
Fisher praised the defensive lines of Alabama and Volunteer, saying, “We’ve played two good fronts.” “Remember that you were part of a front that committed as many mistakes as we did. It was a solid game, and they have guys up front who will be chosen and play.
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.
