Texas A&M football: Stock report after Week 1
It was a successful debut for Texas A&M offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino and for head coach Jimbo Fisher in his first game since relinquishing the play-calling duties. It all worked out with Petrino controlling the offense from the coach’s box upstairs while Fisher roamed the sidelines.
The 52-10 romp over New Mexico on Saturday was a satisfying season opener in front of an appreciative Kyle Field crowd. It was a productive 3 quarters in the continued development of young QB Conner Weigman, who at times was made to look Heisman-like by outstanding WR play from Evan Stewart and Noah Thomas. The pair got separation on occasion while other times coming up with great back-shoulder receptions.
Here’s a stock report on the Aggies after Week 1:
Player of the Week: QB Conner Weigman
He was nearly perfect in his 3 quarters of play before giving way to backup Max Johnson. Weigman completed 18 of 23 passes for 236 yards and 5 TDs. He was sacked once and did not throw an interception. He finished with a QB rating of 236.2.
Yes, he was helped out a few times by a stellar group of pass catchers, but for the most part Weigman put the ball where it needed to be and was given enough time by his offensive line to find the open receiver. It was Weigman’s 2nd career 200-yard passing game. The other was last October, a 338-yard game against Ole Miss.
Freshman of the Week: RB Reuben Owens
The player everyone was talking about this spring, Owens carried the ball a team-high-tying 7 times (Amari Daniels also carried 7 times). Owens gained just 25 yards, but he is proving to the coaching staff that he can be trusted with the football. He did bust a 14-yard run.
It remains to be seen if Owens becomes an integral part of an emerging backfield with Daniels and Le’Veon Moss, who scored 1 of the many TDs for Texas A&M on Saturday, or if Owens ultimately gets redshirted.
Biggest surprise: That there was no surprise
With upsets lurking in the early part of the season as teams work to find an identity, the Aggies had no problem finding motivation in their cupcake season opener. There were no surprises for the home team on Saturday. The Aggies took care of business. Petrino called a good game and the Aggies executed the gameplan.
They didn’t turn the ball over, although 9 penalties for 87 yards was a bit excessive even for the first game of the season. The Aggies were a somewhat efficient 3-for-7 on 3rd downs and converted their only 4th down attempt. All-in-all you could say the Aggies took care of business on Saturday.
Developing trend: Run defense
Don’t look now, but the SEC’s worst run defense could be reversing that trend in 2023. Sure it’s just 1 game, and against an inferior opponent, but the Aggies, last in the SEC against the run a season ago yielding 209 yards per game, gave up just 91 rushing yards to the Lobos on 32 rushing attempts. That’s only 2.8 yards per try.
Yes, it was against New Mexico. Yes, it was just a 1-game sample. But hey, it’s a start.
Key stat: 5 possessions, 5 TDs
The Aggies scored on their first 5 possessions to take a commanding 35-7 lead at halftime. They drove 85 yards on their initial drive and then moved 88 yards to grab a 14-0 advantage and impose their will on the Lobos.
From there, the Aggies marched 67, 38 and 37 yards to find the end zone and the rout was on. Weigman had his way with the New Mexico secondary, throwing for 4 first-half TDs, 3 to Thomas and the other to Stewart.
First impression about Week 2: Can they do it on the road?
If Saturday’s season opener wasn’t a gauge on what kind of team the Aggies have, this Saturday’s matchup at Miami will be. The Hurricanes were easy winners (38-3 over Miami, Ohio) in their cupcake season opener. It will be interesting to find out which team keeps the momentum going and remains undefeated.
The Aggies have lost 6 consecutive true road games. They haven’t won on the road since Oct. 16, 2021, a 35-14 victory at Missouri. A victory in South Florida next Saturday would be big in the continued development of this team and this program.