Another game, another story of missed opportunities and the failure to capitalize on any momentum you could produce for yourself.
The Texas A&M football team has dealt with all kinds of adversity this year as a program, and this week was no different. Between the injuries that were mounting up, the flu going around the locker room and the suspensions… It has been a beatdown.
On top of that, your five-star true freshman QB gets taken out after having one of the best starts a true freshman QB has ever had, taking away the would-be excitement of watching him two weeks in a row.
In rolls a bad football team that was ripe for the taking: Florida.
Despite being hurt himself, Haynes King stepped in to play and did everything he could to help his team win a much-needed game. Despite all of the adversity the team was facing and all of the players that were out, the Aggies actually came out and played a dang good first half of football.
The first half saw the offense run the ball effectively. They used some play-action and bootlegs to get King out of the pocket and on the move, and the Ags moved the ball well enough and scored enough to get a lead and help their teammates on defense, who have been struggling in recent weeks.
Momentum was completely on the side of the Aggies going into halftime. They scored to take a 24-20 lead. The defense got a good stop to end the half and made some big plays that had the crowd in the game. The 12th Man (who showed up with a great crowd at an 11 a.m. game despite a four-game losing streak) was fired up and ready to see their Aggies get a W.
Then the ghost of our anemic offense showed back up in the second half like the Ghost of Christmas Past. It reminded us all of how much this thing needs to change, how little it has produced all year, how many times it has left our defense out to dry, how many questionable decisions have been made, and so much more to keep us from being consistently effective and able to score points.
After the half, we received the ball with the lead and a chance to give us a two-possession lead. The offense went three plays for one yard and punt the ball away. The Gators returned the ball 28 yards to the A&M 40 and scored two plays later.
JUST LIKE THAT: Down 27-24, and all momentum is sucked out of the stadium.
Next drive, the offense went three plays for 3 yards and punted. The defense got a stop.
Next drive, the offense went five plays for15 yards and punted. The defense gave up a touchdown.
Down 34-24.
Next drive, the offense went three plays for zero yards and punted.
Next drive, turnover.
Next drive, turnover.
Haynes King was 18-of-19 for 184 and a touchdown in the first half. Devon Achane had 105 yards in the first half. They actually gave Le’Veon Moss some touches. They targeted Moose Muhammad and Evan Stewart consistently. They kept the mobile QB on the move and out of a pocket that has not been there most of the year.
In the third quarter, King was 3-of-11 for 25 yards, and Devon Achane had three carries for four yards. A&M had 29 total yards of offense in the third quarter with all momentum on their side, despite missing half of your best 44 players.
I don’t know what happened. I don’t know what is happening.
What I do know is that this is the most challenging football season that I have followed for Texas A&M since I have been around.
I know that my heart is hurting for the kids in the program, the people involved with the football team and the fans that have given so much of their time and resources.
This is a pretty challenging time. It is extremely frustrating for all involved, inside and outside of the Bright Complex.
If you have never heard of Inky Johnson, you should look him up. I know Mikado Hinson has had him speak to the football team a few times. Johnson has an unbelievable story and has overcome so much adversity to now use his story to impact others in a positive way.
Johnson said a few quotes in a speech he was giving:
“People get upset not because of the adversity they face but because their adversity reveals who they really are.” The other quote is, “Sometimes, we’re tested not to show our weakness but to discover our strengths.”
That is a pretty relevant quote to the current state of Texas A&M football.
Adversity has a funny way of revealing to us and others who we truly are. They are facing a lot of adversity as a team and as a program. Sometimes it is in the fiery furnace that the areas of our lives that need to change or be refined are revealed. Sometimes our way of doing things is not always the best. Sometimes we need wisdom from others around us, or we need encouragement from mentors and others in our life. Sometimes we need support from people that care about us, and most importantly, we need the humility to look in the mirror and be willing to do whatever is necessary to adapt, overcome and change.
I know Jimbo, this coaching staff and these players are going through it. If it is affecting the fans as much as it is, you can guarantee it is affecting them.
Hopefully, some of this pain and hurt from this year is not wasted, and hopefully, the head coach can see that what we are doing is not working. Hopefully, he sees that it is time to make some much-needed changes that allow him to focus on his strengths and surround himself with people that will work alongside him to get this program where it can and should be. Hopefully, he will shine a light on all of the processes that are in place and build on the positive and change the negative. However, at the same time, I hope he realizes that he is surrounded by unlimited resources and support from a university and its fans that want only the best for him, the coaching and support staff and every single one of these players.
BTHOauburn
