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          SEC Blog

          Kyler Murray, Kyle Allen both play in Texas A&M's win over Western Carolina

          Jarrett Johnson and Texas A&M put the clamps on Western Carolina on Saturday night. Juan DeLeon/AP
          • Greg Ostendorf, ESPN Staff WriterNov 15, 2015, 03:31 AM
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            • Covers the SEC.
            • Joined ESPN in 2012.
            • Graduate of the University of Alabama.
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          Saturday was senior night at Texas A&M, but it was a handful of underclassmen that led the Aggies to a 41-17 win over Western Carolina.

          For the second straight week, true freshman Kyler Murray started at quarterback for Texas A&M, and though he threw two more interceptions, he also finished with 191 yards passing, 50 yards rushing and three total touchdowns.

          Former starter Kyle Allen also got some reps in the fourth quarter and was a perfect 6-of-6 for 88 yards and a touchdown.

          What this win means for Texas A&M: This team still hasn’t quite figured it out offensively with Murray under center. Playing Western Carolina helped as the Aggies racked up 583 total yards of offense, but there were still turnovers, sacks and overall inefficiency at times. They will have to clean it up before next week when they travel to Vanderbilt and face a defense that has been very good this year. After that, the Aggies close out the season at LSU.

          What this loss means for Western Carolina: Give credit to the Catamounts. They weren’t scared coming into Kyle Field, and they competed for most of the game. This looked like a better team from the one that was blown out by Tennessee earlier in the season.

          Player of the game: With wide receivers Josh Reynolds and Speedy Noil suspended for the game due to a violation of team rules, a decision announced just before kickoff, it was up to Christian Kirk to step up and do what he’s been doing all season. Kirk responded. The freshman led Texas A&M with nine catches for 122 yards and two touchdowns. Fellow wide receiver Ricky Seals-Jones also left the game in the third quarter with an apparent knee injury.

          Stat of the game: In Texas A&M’s six wins this season, the Aggies averaged 210.2 rushing yards per game and scored at least one rushing touchdown. In their three losses, they had no rushing touchdowns and averaged 85.3 rushing yards per game. So it was no surprise that in Saturday’s win, the Aggies -- led by senior running back Tra Carson -- rushed for 304 yards. Carson, alone, had 109 yards and a touchdown.