Texas A&M offense too much for Ball State in 56-23 rout

COLLEGE STATION, Texas Surely tougher, more meaningful games will be played in the remade Kyle Field.

But No. 16 Texas A&M took care of its role in the stadium’s grand reopening Saturday night, rolling over overmatched Ball State, 56-23.

The romp gave most of the 104,213 on hand plenty of chances to break in the new digs in familiar ways.

The largest collegiate stadium in Texas and in the SEC (102,733 official capacity) is fully enclosed, stocked with suites and designed in bricks and terrazzo.

But the Aggies still “sawed ‘em off,” fired the cannon after touchdowns and twirled white towels from the stands, yelling all the while.

“The stadium is amazing,” said defensive tackle Hardreck Walker. “Even in a game that wasn’t completely competitive, they made a lot of noise. I can’t wait to see what they do when the big games come around.”

The school invested $485 million in the makeover, and senior running back Tra Carson put up the first “6” Saturday, scoring the first touchdown on a 1-yard run on the game’s opening drive.

The Aggie barrage never stopped in the first-ever meeting with the Cardinals (1-1) of the Mid-American Conference.

A&M (2-0) used an array of offensive options and looks in piling up a 49-3 lead by halftime and rolling up 503 yards for the game.

The lopsided result meant many exited the stands before the final result, and the takeaways are limited.

First, starting quarterback Kyle Allen looked sharp, going 10 of 13 for 126 yards and three touchdowns in a quarter and a half of play.

“We rolled the way we should,” Allen said. “We handled our business. ... Our offense did a very good job of moving the ball in the first half.”

Freshman quarterback Kyler Murray entered with seven minutes left in the first half and scored his first career touchdown on a 10-yard pass to freshman Christian Kirk minutes later. Murray finished 9 of 14 for 65 yards, working on feeling more comfortable in the pocket, coach Kevin Sumlin said. Murray lost a fumble on a sack in the third quarter.

Third-string quarterback Jake Hubenak also played in the fourth quarter.

Ten different players had a hand in touchdowns for the Aggies. That included offensive lineman Koda Martin recovering a fumble in the end zone for a score, cornerback De’Vante Harris returning an interception 40 yards for a score and Josh Reynolds making his first touchdown catch of the season after setting a school record with 13 in 2014.

Freshman walk-on Kwame Etwi led A&M in rushing with 12 carries for 116 yards.

The defense allowed just three points and 102 yards in the first half, limiting Ball State to 0 of 8 on third down.

Sumlin said he was pleased with the Aggies’ play across all phases in the first half.

But with the game out of hand quickly and two weeks remaining until SEC play starts against Arkansas at Arlington’s AT&T Stadium, Saturday night was most about christening the new Kyle Field.

“What a great atmosphere,” Sumlin said. “It’s hard to make Kyle Field better, but we did the impossible. It’s a great fan experience, being closer to the field. The noise is awesome.

“And it’s a great players’ experience. It was really neat to run out there for the first time.

“We appreciate everybody that makes Kyle Field, Kyle Field. We have to put a product out there to be proud of.”

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