COLLEGE STATION --As expected, (3-2) A&M defeated Arkansas 24-17, for their seventh consecutive win over the Razorbacks in the Southwest Classic. Though they came away victorious, it took a late fourth-quarter interception to seal the deal against a struggling Razorback team. 

The Aggies will now turn their attention to Kentucky as the No. 13 Wildcats come to College Station on Saturday night. Jimbo Fisher and select players met with the media on Monday to recap the Arkansas win and preview the upcoming matchup against Kentucky, here are some takeaways from the availability.

Fisher, players brush off Dodson facemask grab media attention

Social media was buzzing on Saturday after Jimbo Fisher grabbed the facemask of Tyrel Dodson after the star linebacker got into a skirmish with an Arkansas player after a play.

After the game, Dodson defended his coach on his Twitter account.

Dodson and other players echoed the sentiment on Monday, stating that that’s the way that they want to be coached.

“I just want everyone to know that Coach Fisher is there for me at that time. He had my back and he was just telling me to stay focused and that he needed me,” Dodson said. “I totally understand the media was just making it look more than it was but he just was telling me to stay focused and that he had my back no matter what.”

Fisher’s behavior wasn’t the first time that Dodson has seen that sort of aggression.

“I’ve had my Mom grab my facemask plenty of times,” Dodson said. “My Mom — she’s done everything. She’s been my coach my whole life.”

Surging run defense excited to face stout Kentucky rushing attack

Although the A&M defense as a whole struggled at times against Arkansas, the run defense was consistently stout. The Aggies held Arkansas to just 55 yards on the ground, and an average of 2.1 yards per carry. The maroon and white currently rank sixth in the country in run defense, while last season the Aggies finished the season ranked 71st in the same metric. Texas A&M defensive tackle Daylon Mack attributed the unit’s heightened performance to the new scheme that defensive coordinator Mike Elko has employed.

“The defense [scheme] sets us up to be in position — we’ve got a lot of fast and athletic guys up front,” Mack said. “[Coach Elko] is just letting us go. He’s telling us to get vertical and get penetration. Our linebacker play has been really good so that’s been a big help as well.”

Running back Benny Snell heads a potent Kentucky running attack that ranks No. 12 in the country in total rushing offense with 1,271 yards and 16 touchdowns. Individually, Snell ranks No. 7 in rushing yards per game averaging 127.8.

Kellen Mond looks to rebound against Kentucky without Ausbon

Quarterback Kellen Mond appeared to take a little bit of a step back after starting the season on fire. Mond threw two interceptions and didn’t account for a touchdown for the first time this season.

“I would say the one that I threw to Jace was an inaccurate ball and then the other one was just a bad decision,” Mond said. “I need to try to throw the ball away or make sure to not give it away. Those both cost us points so that’s something I really need to clean up in my game.”

Mond won’t have No. 1 receiver Jhamon Ausbon for the near future as Fisher announced on Monday that Ausbon underwent surgery to repair a broken bone in his foot on Sunday morning. Fisher also added that he was unsure of a timetable for his return.

“I told him to make sure he was rehabbing, trying to get him back on the field as possible,” Mond said. “We need to make sure that he gets healthy because he’s a real big aspect in that receiver room.”