Texas A&M quarterback Zach Calzada was thrown into the fire in a Week 2 win at Colorado after starting QB Haynes King went down with a broken tibia.

It took a while for Calzada to find his groove, but the 6-4, 210-pound sophomore has gotten better each week.

Calzada’s also proven to be physically tough, as he’s taken some big hits that looked serious in games against Alabama and Auburn only to return to those games and play well.

“He has that DNA in him,” said A&M coach Jimbo Fisher on Wednesday during the SEC’s weekly coaches teleconference. “He’s wired that way. He’s very tough. … You either have it or you don’t. Our kids love him.”

For the season, Calzada has completed 130-of-237 passes for 1,556 yards, 12 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions.

As for King, there was talk after his surgery that he might be able to return this season, but for now that looks unlikely.

“He’s still rehabbing and healing,” said Fisher when asked about King.

The Aggies return to action Saturday with a huge road game at Ole Miss.