Texas A&M trailed Arkansas 28–14 with 12:42 left Saturday, but had the perfect offense to come back. The reason? The Aggies have proven under Kevin Sumlin to be masters of the big passing play.

After ranking seventh nationally in 30-plus-yard passing plays in 2012, the Aggies improved that ranking to second last year. And through five games this season, sophomore Kenny Hill is proving there’s more to that magic than simply Johnny Manziel’s right arm.

Once again, A&M ranks second nationally in 30-plus-yard passing plays, and thanks to Hill’s fast decision-making and A&M’s quick-read offense, the Aggies bombed their way back against the Razorbacks, securing an eventual 35–28 overtime win, and showing why they continue to be a threat to score on any play.

The beauty of A&M’s offense is that while it can be complex in formation and motions, many times its success is dependent on simple reads from Hill. One example comes on Edward Pope’s 86-yard touchdown reception early in the fourth quarter.

Arkansas is playing Cover 4 to the bottom half of the screen, meaning one safety is in charge of helping with the deep middle on his side of the field. He’s immediately put in a tough spot with this route combination, having to choose to help on the inside receiver running a short post or the outside receiver going deep.

When he covers the post, Hill has an easy read. Pope has single coverage down the sideline, so the QB lets it fly, and from there, it’s simply a talented passer and receiver making a play.

Hill later showed the ability to make another good decision, even when his execution wasn’t great.

Here, A&M puts an Arkansas safety in limbo again. When he commits to an inside receiver on the dig route, that leaves A&M receiver Josh Reynolds with single coverage on his post route at the top of the screen. Hill makes the correct choice, but he leaves the throw short, and Arkansas’ Carroll Washington comes away with the interception.

The QB would make up for that mistake with a nearly perfect toss in the final three minutes.

Recognizing a Cover 2 defense to the top of the screen, Hill is able to execute what’s known in the football world as a “hole shot” — hitting his receiver Reynolds in the soft spot behind the corner and in front of the safety.

Many college football teams avoid this throw, as it’s a risky throw with a higher probability of being intercepted.

This time, though, Hill’s talent and arm strength win out. Reynolds catches it in stride, and finishes off the 59-yard TD to tie the game.

A&M’s go-ahead score in overtime also ended up being what you’d expect: a clever play with a good read by Hill and an Arkansas safety put in a tough position.

In the third quarter, Arkansas safety Alan Turner reacted quickly to a throw in the flat by A&M, limiting running back Tra Carson to a short gain. The Aggies appeared to use that aggressiveness against Turner on their final offensive play.

Hill fakes a throw to the flat, and Turner pushes up hard even though he’s the only safety help on that side of the field. Notice also that A&M is selling this play well: right guard Joseph Cheek hustles to the outside as if he’s blocking for the screen, while receiver Malcome Kennedy hesitates in the middle of the field like he’s going to block before charging upfield.

Hill recognizes Turner and makes the proper throw. It’s not quite a 30-plus-yard pass play, but it’s as close as A&M could get after starting on the 25 in the overtime period.

Even after losing one of the top quarterbacks in college football, A&M’s deep passing game appears to be just as strong this year. Through five college starts, Hill has now passed for 460 more yards and six more touchdowns than Manziel did in his first five games with the Aggies.

Helped by a mix of talented receivers and a sound offensive scheme, Hill has been able to succeed immediately while also emerging as an early Heisman candidate. In other words, don’t expect the big play at Texas A&M to be going away.