SportsDirect Inc. staff
Nov 1, 2014
Texas A&M 21, Louisiana-Monroe 16: Kyle Allen threw for 106 yards and a touchdown in his first start as the Aggies held off the visiting Warhawks.
Allen, who took over the starting job following three straight losses, went 13-of-28 and was intercepted once for Texas A&M (6-3). Brandon Williams and Tra Carson each ran for a score and Speedy Noil caught a TD pass as the Aggies wrapped up their non-conference slate with a 4-0 mark.
Centarious Donald ran for a score while Pete Thomas went 26-of-47 for 246 yards and an interception for Louisiana-Monroe (3-5). Justin Manton kicked three field goals and Rashon Ceaser racked up 99 receiving yards as the Warhawks suffered their third road loss to an SEC team this season.
Allen marched the offense down the field on his first drive and Williams punched it in for a 1-yard TD to give Texas A&M an early edge. Donaldกฏs 1-yard run knotted it at 7-7 but Noilกฏs 39-yard punt return set up the Texas A&M offense inside the red zone. Carson made the play of the game, breaking right before cutting all the way back across the field and slipping a pair of tackles to sneak into the left side of the end zone from five yards out.
Allen and Noil hooked up for a 39-yard, one-handed TD catch and the Aggies went into the half up 21-10. Louisiana-Monroe got inside the 10-yard line on two straight possessions in the fourth but settled for field goals to cut it to 21-16 before failing to convert a fourth down on its final drive.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Aggies QB Kenny Hill, who lost his starting job to Allen during the week, was suspended two games for violating team rules and athletic department policies. กญ Texas A&M sacked Thomas seven times. กญ Thomas led the Warhawks in rushing with 44 yards on 19 carries.