‘We need to play well in all facets and be physical,’ Jimbo Fisher previews Texas A&M’s first SEC matchup against Auburn
We’re three weeks into the college football season, but the real work begins as Texas A&M (2-1) welcomes Auburn (3-0) to Kyle Field in Week 4. The Aggies may be early favorites, but make no mistake that it will be a battle come Saturday as A&M faces their first SEC foe of 2023.
Jimbo Fisher echoed as much in his weekly press conference with the media, which was full of takeaways from A&M’s 47-3 rout of UL Monroe, as well as glimpses of the challenge ahead in facing the Tigers. One thing’s for certain: Fisher is confident that A&M can carry the positive momentum from last week into their upcoming matchup,
With the schedule difficulty about to be turned up a notch, Fisher once again referred back to his credence that the game will be won, or lost, in the trenches. That being said, he was highly encouraged by the improved tackling in last week’s win, with notable praise being given to the front seven and namely, the linebackers.
Of course, Fisher couldn’t go without ushering some praise for sophomore quarterback Conner Weigman. The head coach continues to be encouraged by his development while noting Weigman’s dual-sport background has proven invaluable in his ability to find his targets through the air.
Below is Jimbo Fisher’s full press conference, as well as notable highlights of his preview of facing Auburn.
Remaining focused and disciplined was key in Saturday's win
“Happy with the guys and the performance on Saturday. Came out very focused and with great intent. We played to a really good standard and played well and didn’t let up.”
Fisher liked the way A&M covered and tackled in Week 3
“Defensively, I thought we played well, covered well and tackled well. They made a couple of big plays early, but there was nothing wrong there. They made good throws.”
The pass protection was promising in Fisher's eyes
“Offensively, very efficient. I thought Mark Nabou did a great job stepping in at center. Conner (Weigman) utilized his people. Got the ball to receivers, backs and tight ends.”
Playing to a standard will be key this week against Auburn
“We played a very solid game, and the thing I was happy with was they did it throughout. They played to a standard, and we’ll have to do that again this week against a good football team.”
Fisher highlighted the keys to victory against Auburn
“We need to play well in all facets and be physical in the game and compete in the game. It’ll be a battle.”
Fisher echoed the responsibilities of A&M's RB room
“The physicality and brutality for running backs in the game… You see it when they run the ball, but how about when they’re chipping a guy or blocking a guy?”
Fisher loves the development of A&M's linebackers
“They’re seeing things better, and they’re playing with better eyes. Your eyes are the number one thing you have. If you can’t see, you can’t make the play.”
Shemar Turner's love for the game is unrivaled
“There’s nobody on our football team that loves football more than Shemar Turner. He loves to play. He loves to practice. He loves to work out. He loves to run. He loves everything associated with football, and that doesn’t always happen.”
What else can you say about Conner Weigman?
“Conner (Weigman) looks like he belongs playing quarterback. He has great skills, but he’s comfortable. The game makes sense to him. It’s natural to him.”
Weigman has no lack of confidence
“When you get to know him, he’s very intelligent. He’s very charismatic. He’s not quiet, but he’s very confident in himself. Baseball players and quarterbacks have always related… They can speed those hands up and slow them down.”
Weigman's background as a baseball player has proven invaluable
“The footwork when you’re playing middle infield, it’s like playing quarterback. You have to have your feet up under you. He has a lot of those other tools that are things you can’t teach, like those guys that can drop down to different arm angles & things.”
Jake Johnson could see more opportunities come his way
“I hope so. He’s a 6-6 guy. He has verticality too. Those guys are open when they’re covered. We had eight catches between the tight ends… Those are big bodies making plays.”
The defensive fronts continue to evolve
“You see it a lot in football now, and you’re going from three-down to four-down within the same personnel, which causes offenses a lot of problems. The game is becoming a much more intricate game than it ever was before.”
Fisher echoed his longstanding mantra: the game is won and lost in the trenches
“I always go back to the trenches. The game is won and lost there based on everything we do. I don’t think people give the true credit for how complicated and difficult it is… On both sides of the line of scrimmage, you’re always trying to improve.”
Fisher aims for A&M's defense to take what worked against ULM into SEC play
“I thought we played well. We only gave up four first downs until the last drive, and I don’t care who you are, that’s tough to do. You had good competition, and now we’ll step up another level. Hopefully, we’ll carry it into this week.”
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