The Sports Xchange
Sep 10, 2016
COLLEGE STATION, Texas -- Trevor Knight accounted for four touchdowns and No. 20 Texas A&M cruised in Saturday's 67-0 rout of Prairie View A&M at Kyle Field.
The senior quarterback threw for three scores and ran for another, while piling up 422 yards of total offense. Knight has seven touchdowns on his ledger through two games.
Unlike last week's 31-24 overtime win over then-No. 16 UCLA, the Aggies (2-0) had no trouble with the FCS Panthers (1-1) in the first meeting ever between the system schools located 50 miles apart.
Texas A&M jumped out to a 17-0 lead in the first quarter and had Prairie View buried by halftime. Knight had 323 yards passing and three touchdowns in the first half.
Two scores went to wide receiver Christian Kirk, including a 64-yarder in the final minute of the half as the Aggies led 38-0 going into the locker room. Kirk finished with five catches for 106 yards.
Texas A&M rolled up 675 yards of offense in its highest-scoring game since beating Lamar 73-3 in 2014. It was also the largest margin in a shutout since 77-0 over Sam Houston in 1925.
The Aggies will have a much tougher test next week in their SEC opener at Auburn.
Knight's day was done after the first series of the third quarter, which resulted in running back Keith Ford's 4-yard touchdown. Ford had two rushing scores and 62 yards on the ground.
Knight completed 21 of 37, with an interception, and used nine different receivers. He also ran for game-high 78 yards, including a 32-yard touchdown in the first quarter.
Texas A&M receiver Speedy Noil returned from a two-game suspension with four catches and an 8-yard touchdown.
Nick Harvey added a 73-yard punt return touchdown early in the fourth quarter. Reserve running back Kendall Bussey had a 15-yard TD late in the fourth and a safety on a sack by defensive lineman Jarrett Johnson closed out the scoring.
Prairie View had its seven-game winning streak dating back to last season snapped. The Panthers, the FCS scoring leaders last season, hadn't been shut out since losing 31-0 to Lamar in 2012.
Panthers quarterback Trey Green, under attack throughout the game, was 13-of-39 passing for 160 yards and an interception. The senior left the game for a series in the second quarter after a hard hit but returned.
The Panthers finished with only 205 yards of offense.
Prairie View had two field goal tries in the first half. Aggies safety Justin Evans blocked the first attempt on the Panthers second possession. Owen Hoolihan missed a 42-yarder early in the second quarter.
Prairie View opens up SWAC play next Saturday at Alabama A&M.
NOTES: Texas A&M has won 23 consecutive home games against nonconference opponents. ... The Aggies have started 2-0 for the fourth consecutive season. ... Texas A&M kicker Dan LaCamera had a career-high three field goals. ... Texas A&M played a school from Texas for the first time since SMU early in the 2014 season. ... The Aggies wore special helmets with an American flag-inspired logo in remembrance of the 15th anniversary of 9/11.