Story Poster
Jimbo Fisher
Layden Robinson
Fadil Diggs
Texas A&M Football

Disappointment to disaster: Gamecocks hand Aggies third-straight loss

October 23, 2022
21,503

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Disappointment gave way to disaster for Texas A&M on yet another error-prone Saturday night.

A football season that began with so much hope spiraled down the drain that is Williams-Brice Stadium in a 30-24 Southeastern Conference loss to South Carolina.

The Aggies (3-4, 1-3) opened the season ranked No. 6 in the nation. Now, they will be lucky to manage the six victories required to qualify for a bowl game.

That's no exaggeration. If the Aggies can't beat South Carolina (5-2, 2-2) — even on the road — why assume there are three more victories in the remaining five games?

This exercise in futility would probably put coach Jimbo Fisher's job in jeopardy if not for what would be owed on his enormous contract.

"The solutions are there. We know how to do it. We know what to do. We've just got to keep our poise and keep practicing the way we're doing. And get guys healthy. We had two linemen missing this week. We've got to get consistency and get a consistent lineup."
- A&M head coach Jimbo Fisher

Fisher should be on the proverbial "hot seat." But an approximately $80 million buyout would cool off the electric chair.

Still, there's been one exceptional season — 2020 — in Fisher's five-year tenure. It's hard to argue that the program is not in decline. Wins in recruiting are not translating to wins on Saturday.

Those wins are certainly coming. That's what we're told.

In yet another postgame press conference, Fisher repeat promises of impending improvement.

"The solutions are there," Fisher said. "We know how to do it. We know what to do. We've just got to keep our poise and keep practicing the way we're doing. And get guys healthy. We had two linemen missing this week. We've got to get consistency and get a consistent lineup.

"They're not major things that go on. They're little things that cause big things to happen."

True, center Bryce Foster and guard Jordan Moko are sidelined. But A&M's offense struggled when they were playing.

"We've just got to execute better in the beginning," Fisher said. "Do the things we need to do. Pick up some self-inflicted wounds with what we're doing and get better."

Execution has been a common theme. Each week, Fisher stresses the need for execution. They need to execute a search warrant to locate an offense that has not managed more than two touchdowns in five of the last six games.

That offense — or lack thereof — made the game feel like a lost cause when the Aggies fell behind 17-0 barely five minutes into the game.

Jamie Maury, TexAgs
With Saturday's loss, the Aggies have dipped below .500 for the first time in the Jimbo Fisher era. 

Console yourself, if you must, with reminders of how the Aggies gamely rallied to come tantalizingly close to taking a third-quarter lead. But then revel in the amnesia of how the Aggies fell into that hole in the first place.

South Carolina returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown.

Quarterback Haynes King threw an interception that led to a point-blank field goal. 

Then, center Matthew Wykoff's errant snap resulted in a fumble that put South Carolina at A&M's 19-yard line. A touchdown soon followed.

A&M had run six plays and was down three scores. South Carolina had 17 points and 24 yards of offense.

Those were the lowlights of a litany of A&M gaffes that included penalties — all on false starts.

The Aggies did scratch their way back into contention. Randy Bond kicked a couple of field goals. King hit Max Wright for a 9-yard touchdown pass. He then hit Evan Stewart for a two-point conversion.

A&M trailed just 17-14 at halftime. The Aggies took the second-half kickoff and advanced to the South Carolina 39-yard line.

But the drive ended with three consecutive King incompletions. Indeed, King passed on all seven plays of the possession. Running back Devon Achane, who rushed for 75 yards in the first half, was seemingly ignored on the drive.

Apparently, that wasn't the case. Fisher said he called Run/Pass Options. South Carolina's defense dictated the Aggies would pass.

Jamie Maury, TexAgs
Devon Achane continues to lead A&M's offensive efforts, totaling 156 all-purpose yards and one touchdown. 

"We were calling runs," Fisher said. "They were stacking the box and bringing an extra guy in the box. That's why we were able to hit the RPOs. We hit the slant the first play for 15 or 20. We had a run-on. We had about three runs on. They were RPOs. They had an extra guy in the box. That's why we threw it. They were run RPOs."

The Aggies fell behind 24-14 late in the third quarter.

But defensive end Fadil Diggs sacked South Carolina quarterback Spencer Rattler and forced a fumble. Safety Bryce Anderson recovered at the Gamecocks' 24-yard line.

Three plays later, Achane raced 15 yards for a touchdown to cut the deficit to 24-21 going into the fourth quarter.

A&M had two chances to take the lead. In the first series, King hurt his shoulder and was replaced by highly-touted freshman Conner Weigman. That drive stalled at midfield.

The Aggies managed just five yards and punted on the next series.

South Carolina then marched 80 yards for a clinching score.

The Aggies managed another Bond field goal, recovered an onside kick and got two chances at a "Hail Mary" pass to pull out a victory.

Of course, those passes failed.

There is little chance of the miraculous in a season so disastrous.

Discussion from...

Disappointment to disaster: Gamecocks hand Aggies third-straight loss

16,441 Views | 14 Replies | Last: 1 yr ago by rrtodds
2004FIGHTINTXAG
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Sums it up perfectly.
aglaes
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AG
I think it's his $90 mil buyout
Mjesse
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. I wish people would stop using race as a crutch. Jimbo is not hanging around because he is white…. The board doesn't know what to do about the $86mil if they fire him, but I bet come Monday, some discussions will be had.

Here is an idea: If you take the total Aggie alumni and divided into the 86 million, you get $169 each. Let's all chip in and get Jimbo out of here. Where do I send my check?
ctag76
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AG
Good article describing disappointment.
"But there's a spirit can ne'er be told ... It's the spirit of Aggieland."
BadMoonRisin
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AG
Quote:

We've just got to keep our poise and keep practicing the way we're doing.

I would say you've got to try something else and not keep practicing the way you're doing coach, but what do I know? We're halfway through the season and your offense is still among the worst in the country.
aggieclay
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Layden Robinson speaks the truth.
68RebelE
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AG
By my count, we had 7 freshmen starting on offense. That does include Green who wasn't a starter first qtr but played regularly.
Low snaps, missed blocks, poor execution. Aren't these type misques to be expected with 7 freshmen starting on O?
How many on Defense.
We're so young now BuT….
Papa Joe
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AG
Quote:
Here is an idea: If you take the total Aggie alumni and divided into the 86 million, you get $169 each. Let's all chip in and get Jimbo out of here. Where do I send my check?

Your idea sounds like a reasonable idea it's only $169 each; but, you are assuming 100% of all Aggie alumni would pay that. If only 50% participated, it's only $338 each, but that's not realistic. If it would be less than 5% participation, then your bill is more than $3380 each.
TennisDrum
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In my overly-simplistic view, the root of the problem is that our play calling doesn't take into account that our O line isn't playing well at all. I get they are fish. But, coaches need to realize what we have and adjust the pass play calling to quick throws that don't require them to protect as long. Screens, slants, etc. Loosen up the D line just enough to continue running the ball. The occasional deep shot is needed to have the D backs respect the pass game. But, seems like most of our pass plays take too long to develop relative to what our O line is capable of.

With just a little more consistency driving on O, we wouldn't be world-beaters this year, but we'd have several more W's.

Oh, and Haynes needs to quit throwing critical interceptions.
jturner181
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AG
I like the article; it's well written, but I think the collective staff at TexAgs needs to step up and push harder on this program.

We have severe coaching deficiency in the OL area, in the QB area, and frankly in the play calling area. We are ranked 120+ in most major offensive categories which is downright offensive. The kids could do better than that if no coaches showed up for the game frankly.

It's time for the pressure; I expect it from the entire TexAgs crew.
NOTjimbofisher
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Jabberin Jimbo needs a card board cut out of himself with a text cloud that says "we need to do better" for a stand in at press conferences. The guy's play book looks like a thesaurus. Mike Leach (who SHOULD have gotten the job) beat us with a 3x5 note card a number 2 pencil. Put the youngsters in. Put that #1 class on the field and let them get game experience. At this point we have nothing to lose and its impossible to be any more embarrassed.
ApachePilot
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AG
Solutions are there per Jimbo. Well coach if that's not working who's at fault. Your solutions got the Ags to 3-4. You'll be lucky to be .500 to end the year. Embarrassing for what you are paid. Stupid for the Ags yo lock him into a contract for doing nothing while here.
DGrimesAg92
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Just wait till we lose the next 4 out of 5.
Ole Miss - L
Florida - L
Auburn - L
UMass - W
LSU - L

4-8, let the party begin.
rrtodds
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AG
No need to buy out. Reassign …

Reassign to absorb the annual contract one year at a time. Reassign … coaching egos rarely allow coaches to sit still and wait very long until they coach again or move on to the broadcast chair.
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