Inside a 17-9 win over Miami
COLLEGE STATION — Texas A&M quarterback Max Johnson, a transfer from LSU, summed up his first start for the Aggies in two get-to-the-point words: “Freaking awesome.”
For a third consecutive week the Aggies offense was far from awesome, much less freaking awesome, but it was somewhat better, and this time against their first Power Five opponent. Let’s start there in our takeaways from a 17-9 win over Miami:
1. Bounce
For really the first time this season, the Aggies (2-1) possessed it on offense. Even against Sam Houston when they scored 31 points, they seemed to lack bounce on that side of the ball.
Johnson’s enthusiasm played a role, as he bounced around the field and continuously encouraged his teammates while playing a very vocal role against Miami (2-1), which isn’t one of his predecessor Haynes King’s strengths. There are still big issues on offense, however, starting with …
2. The offensive line
Center Bryce Foster returned to action after missing the first two games and a good chunk of camp for undisclosed reasons. He helped the line look better than it did in the previous two games, especially with his mostly on-point snaps, but Johnson was sacked three times and hurried (and harried) plenty of others.
The line also had trouble creating running room for running back Devon Achane (sound familiar?), but he still squeezed out a game-high 88 yards on 18 carries. Foster’s addition allowed Matthew Wykoff to shift back out to guard, where the Aggies have needed big-time help in the first quarter of the 12-game season.
“We’ve still got to get a heck of a lot better on offense,” A&M coach Jimbo Fisher said.
And that starts with the offensive line.
3. A real head-scratcher
Johnson looked in control of the offense and played every bit the role of upbeat leader on the field, making one wonder … how did the low-key King ever win the job in the first place? Fisher went with his recruit to start the season, although there doesn’t appear to be a lot of difference talent-wise between the two, and the Aggies paid the price with a 17-14 loss to Appalachian State in Week 2.
If Fisher starts Johnson from the start, the Aggies likely would be 3-0 heading into Southeastern Conference play. Instead, they’re going to have to climb back up the polls after falling from No. 6 a week ago on the heels of the stunning home setback to the Mountaineers.
4. Lack of discipline
Off the field. The Aggies had four players suspended for the game for the dreaded violations of team rules: freshmen receivers Evan Stewart and Chris Marshall and defensive backs Denver Harris and Smoke Bouie, apparently because of curfew violations although Fisher did not get specific.
That’s inexcusable and borderline unbelievable following a week of very public questioning Fisher’s overall culture and control of his players in the aftermath of the three-point loss. The foursome is expected back on Saturday night against Arkansas in the SEC opener.
5. Where to from here?
On to SEC play, that’s where, whether the Aggies are ready or not. They face No. 10 Arkansas in Arlington’s AT&T Stadium on Saturday, and A&M can find a little hope in that the Razorbacks had more trouble at home with Missouri State (38-27) of the FCS on Saturday than expected.
The Aggies play away from Kyle Field in their next four games, and were staring a 1-5 start in the face had they faltered against Miami. They’re also fortunate first-year Hurricanes coach Mario Cristobal opted for a conservative approach and refused to go for it on fourth down until he absolutely had to on Miami’s final offensive play — he could have taken a few cues from swashbuckling Appalachian State coach Shawn Clark on that front.
