Nick Fitzgerald reveals Joe Moorhead predicted game-clinching touchdown run
By Keith Farner
Published:
If there was any frustration built up by QB Nick Fitzgerald following his flurry of interceptions against LSU, he didn’t show it against Texas A&M.
But his 76-yard touchdown run with 2:17 left in the game, Fitzgerald put the ice on a 28-13 victory on Saturday.
“Obviously feels good when there’s nothing between you and the end zone,” Fitzgerald said after the game. “The only thing on your mind is don’t get caught.”
Fitzgerald also admitted what coach Joe Moorhead said leading up to the play.
“Before the play on the sideline, Coach Moorhead said ‘House it,’ and I said, ‘OK,'” Fitzgerald said. “Self-fulfilling prophecy right there.”
Fitzgerald said in this day and age of social media, it’s difficult to not see negative messages, but he added that he also received positive encouragement in recent days, too.
“I have a great set of family and friends and teammates who believe in me, so it didn’t really matter,” he said. “Most of them just made me laugh. But I knew it felt good to go out there and have a good game.”
Fitzgerald added that Moorhead shared with the team to relax, and the quarterback said he tried to react and not over-think how a defender may react.
Fitzgerald laughed off a question of his success against Texas A&M, which includes a 3-0 record.
“Just proves we wear the maroon better,” he said.
Coming off of a four-interception game at LSU, Fitzgerald said he’s learned to not dwell on bad games.
“Learn from it and move on, things I’ve been saying the whole season and I truly believe in it,” he said.
Fitzgerald said they have to actively work in practice to improve the passing game, and that’s something they did in practice last week.
“We’re going to throw the ball, we’re not going to go out there and sling it around, but we’re going to throw the ball and stay balanced,” Fitzgerald said. “Run your routes, and Nick, you’re going to throw an accurate pass and move the ball.”
A former newspaper veteran, Keith Farner is a news manager for Saturday Down South.
