Breaking smartly from this year’s starting gate at 3-0 while surrendering only 17 points, Texas A&M was ranked among the Nation’s Top 25 collegiate football powers. But now, a pair of consecutive week defeats have dropped it from the elite company, in fact out of the Top 25 altogether.
A few weeks ago, Head Coach Jimbo Fisher was rewarded with a ten-year contract extension, and staff continues to grapple with replacement needs not only at QB but also at six offensive linemen.
On October 2, the Aggies greeted visiting Mississippi State Bulldogs to Kyle Stadium in College Station for a Big 12 Conference matchup. Inconsistent play dominated the evening as the Aggies pulled up on the short end of the 26-22 final score. The loss dropped A&M to 3-2 overall on the season and 0-2 in the Conference.
The Maroon and White clad hosts had one final chance to pull ahead, but the possession began on their own 11-yard line, with the Bulldogs racking up a safety as game time expired. A few bright spots for the Aggies would include:
- Junior running back Isaiah Spiller logged his third 100 yard game of the season, the 13th of his career;
- Junior Tight End Jalen Wydermyer snagged his career 13th touchdown reception, lifting him to 10th place on the all-time A&M scoring list;
- Graduate linebacker Aaron Hansford lifted his career numbers to 102 tackles in making 13 solo stops of Bulldog ball carriers;
- Star placekicker Seth Small, a Senior, maintained his perfect field goal season at 9-for-9 by connecting on two more, each at the fairly challenging distance of 40 and 49 yards. He stands among the leaders in A&M scoring history;
Still, the extent to which A&M was outplayed and outclassed can be gleaned from three full game statistical contrasts: First Downs: A&M 15, MSU 28; Total Offensive Yards: A&M 297, MSU 438; Time of Possession: A&M 24:32, MSU 34:36.
Left with considerable scope for improvement, A&M’s immediate challenge offers no relief. Saturday, October 9, brings the arrival of another scheduled visitor to College Station: the defending National Champion and Number 1 ranked Crimson Tide of Alabama.