No. 8 Texas A&M keeps playoff hopes alive with dominant win over Arkansas, help from Texas - The Dallas Morning News

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COLLEGE STATION – This time, things were decided relatively early against an old Southwest Conference rival.

No need for last-minute heroics with the game hanging in the balance.

No. 8 Texas A&M provided another example of how things may actually be different this season, dispatching Arkansas 42-31 at Kyle Field – a rare campus stop in the series that was moved this year from AT&T Stadium. The win was the Aggies' ninth straight over the Razorbacks but unlike five of the last six meetings, this wasn’t a one-score game – or even in doubt, despite the final score. And Arkansas (2-3 overall, 2-3 SEC) is far more competitive under first-year coach Sam Pittman than it has been the past few seasons.

A&M’s offense might have been as crisp and efficient has it has been this season, producing touchdowns on six of its first eight possessions through three quarters, with one of the drives ended by the half.

“Very proud of our team,” A&M coach Jimbo Fisher said. “Guys answering back was huge. … Our competitive nature to keep matching, keep playing no matter the circumstances was very good.”

Senior quarterback Kellen Mond became A&M’s all-time leader in total offense, passing Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel on a 15-yard touchdown pass to Jalen Wydermyer in third quarter. Mond later passed 10,000 yards for his career, just the 12th player in SEC history to hit that milestone.

“For me, I think I have a lot more work to do,” Mond said. “I felt really good trusting my eyes tonight, getting us into better plays. I think my growth is nowhere near where it can be by the end of the season.”

He finished 21 of 26 passing – including 11 straight completions at one point -- for 260 yards and three touchdowns, while also rushing for 32 yards.

“I’ve always believed in Kellen,” Fisher said when asked about some of the criticism Mond received early in the season. “He keeps growing and growing and keeps getting better and better each week.”

Arkansas entered the game leading the SEC in third-down defense but the Aggies converted seven of their first eight third-down chances and finished 7-of-11.

Sophomore Ainias Smith had two first-half touchdowns, a 15-yard run and 35-yard reception.

“We’re all feeding off each other. I’m loving it,” Smith said of the offense.

Smith said the Aggies haven’t played their best.

“I feel like we can definitely elevate,” Smith said. “There’s never a time when we’re actually playing to our full potential.”

The offensive line did not allow a sack for the fourth straight game, a span of 144 pass attempts.

A&M has started 4-1 in the SEC for the first time since 2016 and – more importantly – maintained its outside hopes for the College Football Playoff with a little help from Texas.

Yes, Texas, the hated former rival, which handed No. 6 Oklahoma State its first loss in overtime and dealt a blow to the Big 12′s CFP hopes. While A&M has consecutive road games at South Carolina and Tennessee and closes the regular season at Auburn, a path remains to the CFP, which is all that matters right now. But Fisher wasn’t biting when asked if his team was playing at a Top 10 level.

“I don’t know what a top 10 team looks like,” Fisher said. “We’re far from a polished group. It’s encouraging that we’re able to pull some wins out and we got a lot of work to do to get better. I’m just happy we’re playing as well as we’re playing.”

Added senior linebacker Buddy Johnson, who had team-high 12 tackles and one of four A&M sacks: “We try to not get carried with the playoffs. … We’re playing with that pride, that grit and that toughness. The effort we play with, that’s what it’s about.”

The Aggies built a 28-14 halftime lead on a 6-yard run by Isaiah Spiller (82 yards rushing on 21 carries) with 1:13 remaining in the second quarter.

The margin grew to 45-17 in third quarter on Mond’s completion to Wydermyer (six catches for 92 yards) and a 30-yard touchdown run by Devon Achane. The Razorbacks scored two touchdowns in the fourth quarter, including one with 36 seconds remaining, to make things a little closer.

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