Head coach Jimbo Fisher’s press conference after Aggies’ loss to South Carolina
Texas A&M dropped its third game in a row after falling to the South Carolina Gamecocks 30-24 on Saturday night while reaching a dreadful 3-4 record, with a 1-3 mark in the SEC.
Texas A&M trailed from start to finish, as the Gamecocks burst out to a 17-0 lead after 5 minutes played, yet the Aggies mounted a short comeback to cut into the deficit after two Randy Bond field goals, and a Haynes King touchdown pass to tight end Max Wright (plus the two-point conversion) with 2:00 minutes left in the 2nd quarter making it 17-14 at the half.
In the second half, the Aggies held the momentum edge, yet it seemed that the team didn’t get the message, as both sides stalled offensively until an 18-yard touchdown run by Gamecocks running back Marshawn Lloyd with 3 minutes left in the 3rd quarter. However, Texas A&M’s stout defense stepped up once again as Edge Fadil Diggs sack-fumbled quarterback Spencer Rattler which eventually set up a 15-yard Devon Achane rushing touchdown making it 24-21 going into the 4th quarter.
With a chance to take the lead after another defensive stop, quarterback Haynes King, who had already taken quite the beating due to the offensive line’s horrendous play throughout the night, hurt his shoulder which vaulted freshman Conner Weigman into the starting spot, who completed 8-15 for 91 yards on the night but did not have time in the pocket to make the throws when it mattered most.
After a long South Carolina offensive drive, Marshawn Lloyd scampered in for his second rushing touchdown on the night, and after a Randy bond field goal and a last-second hail mary attempt by the Aggies after recovering the onside kick, the game was over, and the Bonham Trophy will be making its way to Columbia, South Carolina.
With that, here are the most notable quotes from head coach Jimbo Fisher, Layden Robinson, and Fadil Diggs.
Head coach Jimbo Fisher instant reaction after the loss
Oct 22, 2022; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; Texas A&M Aggies head coach Jimbo Fisher directs his team against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the second quarter at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports
“Guys played a hard game. Tough, came back and gave us a chance but we can’t start like that on the road.”
Fisher reiterates his weekly "we need to execute better" reasoning
Oct 22, 2022; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; Texas A&M Aggies head coach Jimbo Fisher directs his team against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the second quarter at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports
“We got to execute better in the beginning…fix the self inflicted wounds.”
Fisher on how close the team is from winning the close games this season
Oct 22, 2022; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; Texas A&M Aggies head coach Jimbo Fisher directs his team against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the second quarter at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports
“We have good players. We are right there. We are not getting ran out of the stadium. You make a play or two and you can get over the hump.”
Jimbo Fisher said Haynes King may have popped his shoulder out of joint. He did not want to risk playing him and liked how Conner Weigman was playing.
Oct 22, 2022; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; Texas A&M Aggies quarterback Haynes King (13) is hit as he passes by South Carolina Gamecocks linebacker Gilber Edmond (8) and South Carolina Gamecocks defensive back DQ Smith (27) in the second quarter at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports
Fisher on if he feels his team is undisciplined
Oct 22, 2022; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; Texas A&M Aggies wide receiver Chase Lane (2) makes a reception as he is tackled by South Carolina Gamecocks defensive back Tyrese Ross (20) in the first quarter at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports
“No. Just not playing with enough consistency.”
Fisher on Freshman quarterback Conner Weigman
Oct 22, 2022; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; Texas A&M Aggies defensive back Tyreek Chappell (7) recovers a blocked extra point against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the second half at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports
“He had a great week of practice…He’s ready to play. He kept good poise, and I thought he would do well.”
Fisher on Haynes King's status before the game
Oct 22, 2022; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; Texas A&M Aggies quarterback Haynes King (13) passes against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the second quarter at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports
“Haynes (King) was fine. He sat out a couple days last week. Conner (Weigman) has been ready to play.”
Fisher on if it's time to panic after their 3-4 start
Oct 22, 2022; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks running back MarShawn Lloyd (1) rushes for a touchdown against the Texas A&M Aggies in the second half at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports
“There’s no panic but you have to have urgency.”
Fisher on the return to Kyle Field next weekend against Ole Miss
Sep 17, 2022; College Station, Texas, USA; A view of the fans and the stands and the 12th Man logo during the second half of the game between the Texas A&M Aggies and the Miami Hurricanes at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
“It’s always great to come back to Kyle Field.”
Offensive lineman Layden Robinson on the state of the O-line, and the team after the loss
Sep 17, 2022; College Station, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies offensive lineman Reuben Fatheree II (76) and offensive lineman Layden Robinson (64) in action during the game between the Texas A&M Aggies and the Miami Hurricanes at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
“This is not who we are at all.”
“You see glimpses of us in games but it’s hard to get there…You just have to keep prevailing through.”
“It’s a stinger…but you have to keep moving forward.”
Edge Fadil Diggs on the youth of the team
Oct 8, 2022; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide offensive lineman JC Latham (65) blocks Texas A&M Aggies defensive lineman Fadil Diggs (10) during the second half at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
“Everybody makes mistakes…The freshmen, when they’re number is called, they make it happen.”
“It hurts just like every other loss.”
