Texas A&M Aggies Trust 'Other Backs' In Win Over South Carolina
COLLEGE STATION -- Rueben Owens is the future of the Texas A&M's backfield. Everyone who enters Kyle Field knows the five-star product from El Campo is destined for greatness on Saturdays.
But Saturday marked the present, and so was Owens, working past multiple South Carolina defenders to keep the Aggies' offense on pace toward the end zone. With Le'Veon Moss sidelined the Aggies turned to "the other backs" in securing the 30-17 win over the Gamecocks.
"They had a couple of nice runs in there. Amari [Daniels] broke good runs. And they got going in there," said A&M coach Jimbo Fisher. "I think we had one pass pro. Had us a sack. One with pass protection. Only missed one. They did a good job. Got the running game going solid."
Owens finished with a team-high 18 carries for 48 yards. During the second quarter, Owens evaded two South Carolina defenders in the backfield before turning upfield for a 14-yard score.
Daniels, who initially won the starting job in Week 1's win over New Mexico, bulldozed his way forward for a 1-yard touchdown with 1:44 remaining in the first half. He finished with a team-high 68 yards on 13 touches.
"Four [Daniels] came out there. I know he didn't get to start the game today," said receiver Ainias Smith. "But at the same time, he was working."
Texas A&M Aggies running back Amari Daniels (4) runs the ball against the South Carolina Gamecocks during the second half at Kyle Field.
Dustin Safranek-USA TODAY Sports
Fisher said Moss suffered a hamstring injury during the final drive in Week 7's 20-13 loss against Tennessee at Neyland Stadium. The sophomore pushed through practice at limited capacity, but Fisher chose to rest him in preparation for next weekend's matchup against No. 12 Ole Miss.
Owens and Daniels have been change-of-pace players this season behind Moss. The Aggies, who still are looking for an identity in the second half of games, utilized their abilities for first downs and in the red zone.
In six red-zone trips, A&M posted 11 run plays against four passing plays. The Aggies totaled two touchdowns, two field goals and a missed shot from 35 yards out before running out of the clock in the closing seconds.
"Just got to execute a couple plays. We missed a third down by a yard," said Fisher of A&M's second-half scoring struggles. "We had a fourth-and-1. Probably would have went for it but that puts us up two scores, so I wanted to get up two scores."
Moss' return should elevate the ground attack for a visit to Vaught-Hemingway in Oxford. Barring a setback, the lead runner should be returning just in time for a chance to help the Aggies end their eight-game road losing streak.
Owens, who averaged 2.2 per run, is still trying to find a rhyme. That'll come with time, but at least he found the end zone, first.
"He did a real good job for us. I know he was wanting to break a few of those runs," said Smith. "He was real close a few times.
"Both of those guys, they're going to be real, real special. They just got to keep working."
