Texas A&M Continue Winning Streak With Victory At LSU
Press Release
February 11, 2006
Written By Josh Back
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The Aggies kicked off and only a few minutes into the game were on the back foot as LSU scored a quick try off a scrum on the left side of the field after they had missed a penalty. Determined to reply as soon as possible, captain Greg Kwedar and vice-captain Zach Rutledge rallied the troops. Their calls were met with force. Playing at outside centre, Uruguayan Chris Campbell made a long break as A&M surged forward in numbers. This seemed to change the momentum towards the favor of the Aggies. Minutes later, the Maroons scored a quality try from an attacking line-out in their opponents 22m. A well worked peel and rolling maul found prop Tom Reid at the back with the ball to pile over the line and put A&M on the board. Kwedar converted successfully to equalize the score at 7-7.
With a stroke of luck the Aggies went further ahead with a try from winger Jake Lockett, who again proved that his paced can be rarely matched. Sensing the opportunity for an interception, Lockett stepped up and plucked the ball from the air and ran clear to finish under the posts. Kwedar again converted to put A&M up 14-7.
At this point the game started to get feisty. LSU’s blind-side flanker and hooker were caught up in fracas at almost every opportunity. Aggie scrum half Charles Davidson was the center of attention as he took late hits and punches on many occasions. Similarly Kwedar and Campbell were involved in off-the-ball incidents but nothing came of them. To the credit of the Aggies, the players did not retaliate and therefore stayed on the field. Unfortunately, the referee deemed the play of the two above mentioned LSU players as within the laws of the game, although further video review clearly states otherwise, with particular reference to kicks in the face and punching.
Just before half time, LSU went very close to scoring a try for themselves, only for Justus Cook to chase down the player and make a try-saving tackle metres before the line with Lockett speeding across to clear the danger.
The second half started with A&M attacking from the get go. A good move saw the ball spun along the backs with Cook looking to break to the outside. Unfortunately, with his man beaten and a try looking certain, he pulled up with a hamstring injury. This was the beginning of a wave of constant pressure as the Aggies looked to extend their lead. There were quality phases of play with the forwards taking command of the scrum and lineouts. Freshman Asher Schusterman played particularly well in the scrum at prop. The pressure finally led to a penalty from Kwedar, 17-7.
The Tigers were now firmly on the back foot and a try from lock Kyle Knox took the game to the brink. Under heavy pressure, the LSU fly half dallied whilst trying to make a clearance kick from inside his try area for Knox to charge down and fall on the ball for an easy score. Kwedar converted to make it 24-7.
Another great run from Lockett yielded a try. Bursting down the wing with full back Scott Johnson in support, Lockett almost made the score himself but was brought down just outside the line. A powerful clearout in the ruck from Johnson saw Kwedar pick the ball and score. He converted and the 31-7 scoreline put the game beyond reasonable doubt.
Again prop Andre Lewis came off the bench to provide another headache for the Tigers. Unfortunately, scrum half Davidson had to be replaced after taking a ridiculously late hit directly infront of the referee after the official had blown the whistle. Again he decided that a sending off would be harsh and so awarded just a penalty, not even a yellow card and 10 minute sin-bin. The entire Aggie squad were incensed and as tempers flaired again and LSU players came across to confront A&M’s players who were taking a knee for the injured Davidson. Showing total disrespect and embarrassing themselves, the Tiger instigators were shunned away.
The Aggies took the game further and produced two more scores to send a subliminal message to the loud-mouthed Tigers who were playing an ex-Aggie at inside centre. Eric Johns did not factor too much in the game as rookie David Verm more than matched him. Lovely link up play between blind side flanker Aaron Fortin, Campbell and Lockett created a chance from nothing inside the Maroon 22m. Fortin looped around Campbell who passed the ball out of the tackle magnificently and then popped the ball to Lockett who raced clear to be one-on-one with the LSU full back. The very nervy and unconvincing full back tried to tackle Lockett who strongly handed him off and never broke stride to score under the posts.
A brilliant road trip saw the Aggies earn not only a win but a bonus point in their 43-7 truimph. They now take that confidence into this weekend’s massive game against old adversaries the University of Texas.