3 takeaways from Texas A&M’s win over Abilene Christian in first game after Jimbo Fisher firing
By Keith Farner
Published:
Texas A&M had a rough start to the week as the program deal with the firing of Jimbo Fisher as Elijah Robinson took over to lead the program to finish out the season.
The Aggies became bowl eligible last week before Fisher’s firing with a 51-10 win over Mississippi State. This was the regular-season finale for Abilene Christian, and the Wildcats gave a strong opening salvo on Saturday.
Robinson’s early message to the Aggies was to lean on the brotherhood of the program. After a slow start, Texas A&M responded with a 38-10 victory.
Texas A&M didn’t get its first lead against Abilene Christian until a 34-yard FG by Randy Bond midway through 2nd quarter with 7:59 remaining. By that point, Texas A&M’s offensive line struggled against ACU’s defensive front, and allowed 2 early sacks.
Here are our 3 takeaways from the Aggies’ win:
Moose Muhammad III delivers huge game with sleeves
Moose Muhammad, who last season claimed he was benched against Auburn because he wore sleeves, had sleeves on Saturday against Abilene Christian. Muhammad made several big catches, including a 49-yarder early in the 3rd quarter. Muhammad later made an acrobatic 1-handed catch, then hurdled a defender for a 38-yard gain. That 38-yard catch also pushed him beyond 1,000 receiving yards for his career (1,026).
He finished with 4 catches for 104 yards as he was targeted 7 times.
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? https://t.co/KjiNke1fyf (ESPN+/SECN+) pic.twitter.com/9j0RGx91AS
— Texas A&M Football (@AggieFootball) November 18, 2023
omg moose pic.twitter.com/lKMVyG6C3T
— Texas A&M Football (@AggieFootball) November 18, 2023
Aggies overcome early turnover
Jaylen Henderson had a strong debut last week, but this time, the quarterback had a rough play to open the game. He was hit from the blind side and coughed up the ball as he attempted to release the pass. Cirby Coheley of Abilene Christian returned it 51 yards for a touchdown. Henderson bounced back, and by the end of the 3rd quarter, he was 14-for-21 passing for 221 yards, 2 touchdowns and an interception.
Aggies bounce back from slow start
Texas A&M dealt with several struggles early on, including 3 Aggie 3-and-outs, then a 4th drive that mustered less than 5 plays, including the opening-drive fumble. As Bobby Petrino made the switch from the booth to the sideline on Saturday, the Aggies had just 82 yards in the first quarter, including just 17 rushing yards.
But in the 2nd quarter, the Aggies had 10 first downs, and outgained the Wildcats with 131 yards to 52, and outscored ACU 10-0. In the final 3 quarters, the Aggies outscored the Wildcats, 24-3.
A former newspaper veteran, Keith Farner is a news manager for Saturday Down South.
