Mizzou defense shuts down Texas A&M in all facets

A pair of 4-yard runs set up the Aggies with a third-and-2 at the Tigers’ 6-yard line. Quarterback Marcel Reed dropped back to pass, throwing to Ashton Bethel-Roman on a slant route. But Trajen Greco read it, breaking up the pass and sending the ball high into the air and into the waiting arms of Elijah Dotson. The breakup took away a potential touchdown pass, while the interception wiped away any chance of an Aggies score.

“Did my job, made a play on the ball, and (Dotson) just happened to be in the right place (at the) right time,” Greco said.

That play set the tone for an elite defensive performance for Mizzou, which held Texas A&M to 216 total yards in a 27-6 victory.

The defense has held its opponents to 17 points or fewer in all of Mizzou's five wins. Mizzou’s run defense has been particularly stout, allowing 88.6 yards per game on the ground entering Saturday. The Tigers held the Aggies to 29 rushing yards. The previous week, they held Florida’s superstar running back Jadan Baugh to 13 yards on 12 carries.

“Starts with the coaches putting us in that position, and then us executing in practice,” linebacker Nick Rodriguez said. “I feel like we do a great job of that, getting attention to detail, investing in the process during the week.”

Rodriguez created havoc against the Aggies, leading the team with 13 tackles, 1½ tackles for loss and half-a-sack. Donta Simpson had an impactful game with 1½ sacks plus a pair of quarterback hurries. The Tigers finished the game with 13 quarterback hurries, making Reed feel uncomfortable in the pocket.

Entering the game, the Tigers’ pass defense was suspect. Mizzou allowed 231.2 yards per game in the air in its first five contests. The Tigers had their best game defending the pass in SEC play thus far, allowing 187 yards while picking off Reed twice.

Greco pulled in the second interception in the second quarter on a ball tipped by Bethel-Roman. He ran the ball back to the A&M 34-yard line, setting up a field goal for Blake Craig from 50 yards. The two turnovers flipped at least six points to the Tigers and set the tone for Reed’s struggles.

Greco finished the game with three tackles plus the interception and the pass breakup. The Tigers were credited with six pass breakups and forced Reed into 20 incompletions.

“We struggle to protect (Reed). We struggle to run routes and get open,” Texas A&M coach Mike Elko said. “We struggle to do it the way it’s being coached to do it. We struggle to deliver the ball where it needs to get delivered, and we struggle to do all of those things together consistently. So it is on every level.”

This season has been a continuation of Mizzou’s defensive success under coordinator Corey Batoon. In his first two seasons with the Tigers, the team ranked top 20 in points allowed per game in the nation. Entering the week, the Tigers allowed 20 points per game; a mark good enough for seventh in the SEC and 47th in the nation. After holding the Aggies to six points, they will climb the leaderboards.

“He's understated, and that's just because he walks with a humility that most people don't understand," Drinkwitz said of Batoon. "He's a very special coach, he's a very special defensive coordinator. Y'all would be shocked the way he gets in that defense’s ass. It's impressive.

"He brings it to the staff, and he brings it to those players, and those guys love him because they know that he's always trying to put them in the best position. He can call a game now, that dude can call a game, (and) does a great job of showing multiple looks. … He leads that group, and we're really fortunate that he chose to stay with us. He had plenty of opportunities. I appreciate the (Board of Curators) and president recognizing his talents and knowing that continuity is huge.”

The defense continues to be the Tigers’ most consistent unit. Mizzou totaled 399 yards on offense, but Simmons failed to find the same magic he produced against Florida. The quarterback ended the game 14 of 28 for 147 yards, a touchdown and a pick. He used his legs on several occasions, including a 13-yard scramble for a first down.

Jamal Roberts was the engine in the Tigers’ win, totaling 222 yards and a couple of touchdowns on 34 carries. He slammed the door shut, scoring from 56 yards out with under three minutes to give the Tigers a 21-point lead.

“When I think he can’t do anymore, he just does more,” Drinkwitz said. “Really impressive from him. … Big time for us.”

The special teams unit had some struggles. Brunno Reus recorded his shortest punt of the year at 26 yards, giving Texas A&M the ball at the Mizzou 40. While Mizzou’s defense limited the offense to 8 yards on three plays, the Aggies connected on a 53-yard field goal to take a 3-0 lead in the first quarter. Kicker Blake Craig made a pair of 50-plus yard field goals, but he had his 39-yarder blocked right before halftime.

Mizzou faces a big road test of the season in a showdown with No. 9 Ole Miss at 2:30 p.m. next Saturday in Oxford, Mississippi. In their first four games, the Rebels averaged 35.5 points per game.