Aggies Unleash Hill
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COLUMBIA, S.C. — No Johnny Football, no problem.
Sophomore Kenny Hill showed solid command of the Texas A&M juggernaut offensive attack and then some in the season opener Thursday night. Hill threw for a school-record 511 yards and directed the offense efficiently in the No. 21 Aggies’ 52-28 dismantling of No. 9 South Carolina at Williams-Brice Stadium.
Hill, who made his first career start, didn’t seem fazed by the Gamecocks’ 18-game home winning streak or the 82,847 fans in attendance. His final passing numbers (44-for-60, three touchdowns, no interceptions) were greater than those former Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel accomplished in his two years as a starter.
“I was more excited than nervous,” Hill said. “The O-line came out and blocked tremendously, giving me plenty of time to sit back there and throw and the receivers made great plays. We came out quick and threw just a couple of little screen passes out and made plays. It got my confidence up.”
The Aggies amassed 680 yards of total offense, which ranks 11th most all-time in school all-time in school history and fourth most since Kevin Sumlin took over in 2012. The 511 yards passing were the most ever against the Gamecocks. Hill won a heated battle with true freshman Kyle Allen in the preseason for the starting quarterback spot.
“Well, I think we are making the right decision, I’ll put it that way,” Sumlin said. “I think what we
did tonight was showed that really we’re not a one trick pony. We aren’t anywhere near where we want to be — we’re not going anywhere, anytime soon.”
Texas A&M’s point total was the highest allowed by South Carolina since a 56-17 loss to Auburn in the 2010 SEC championship game.
“It was obvious the odds makers don’t know what they’re talking about,” South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier said. “That team was so much better than us it wasn’t even funny. They out-coached us, out-played us and they were better prepared and knew what they were doing.
“It was a mismatch tonight.”
The Aggies scored on five of their first six possessions. The drives covered 67, 75, 85, 75 and 80 yards, and none lasted more than 4:40 as Texas A&M opened a 31-14 halftime lead. The second half scoring drives were 66, 42 and 83 yards.
Hill finished the first half 27-for-35 for 299 yards and two touchdowns — 3 yards to wide receiver Ricky Seals-Jones and 14 yards to wide receiver Edward Pope.
Running back Tra Carson added touchdown runs of 1-yard and 2-yards for the Aggies, and kicker Josh Lambo connected on a 33-yard field goal.
Texas A&M finished the half with 393 yards of total offense.
Carson finished with seven carries for 30 yards and three touchdowns. Aggies receiver Malcome Kennedy caught 14 passes for 137 yards.
South Carolina countered with the big play. Senior quarterback Dylan Thompson had first-half touchdown passes of 69 yards to wide receiver Nick Jones and 46 yards to Damiere Byrd.
Thompson wound up throwing four touchdown passes, but he never seemed to find his rhythm. He completed 20 of 40 passes for 366 yards with one interception. South Carolina finished with 433 overall but it wasn’t the start they were expecting after three straight 11-win seasons.
“Honestly, it doesn’t matter how well I think I played. The scoreboard can tell you that story,” Thompson said. “We have to be better next week and come back ready to go to work.”
Jones made five receptions for 113 yards.
Texas A&M plays three straight non-conference games before returning to SEC action on September 27 against Arkansas. South Carolina, who has won 11 games three straight seasons, have East Carolina next week before hosting Georgia on Sept. 13. That is a must-win if they have a chance to win the SEC East.
“We’ll regroup, come back and to fight again against East Carolina,” Spurrier said. “I think our players are better than what they showed but I don’t know.”
