Texas A&M looks to keep building forward with spring ball in the rearview

Spring football games lie like a guilty defendant. What’s seen in spring games is often distorted like a funhouse mirror. Spring games rarely give an accurate image of what will be seen in the fall.

For that, Aggies can be thankful.

The White team posted a 33-19 victory in Texas A&M’s annual Maroon-White game on Saturday.

Even though those 33 points were more than A&M managed in 11 games last season, very little was seen to indicate Texas A&M’s offense will be significantly better than the unit that struggled in the 5-7 debacle that was last season.

Therefore, those who came to Kyle Field hoping to see an offensive extravaganza might have left worried. They shouldn’t be.

Tackle Reuben Fatheree and receiver Moose Muhammad didn’t play. Neither did tight end Donovan Green. Receiver Noah Thomas exited early after taking a hard hit to the head.

That’s four potential starters that did not play or only played sparingly.

Further, the Aggies — not surprisingly — didn’t show many new wrinkles. Last week tight end Max Wright raved about the motion and deception implemented by new offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino. None of that was on display.

Jamie Maury, TexAgs

Former five-star prospect Rueben Owens impressed on Saturday, recording 48 rushing yards on nine attempts. 

Meanwhile, walk-ons and redshirts were getting significant playing time, with guys named Andrew Maleski, Preston Landis and Pierce Turner getting significant action and producing.

Landis, a transfer from North Texas, even had a 26-yard burst for the longest run of the game.

But a closer look may actually reveal reasons to believe a more efficient, more explosive offense may emerge in autumn.

On the game’s fifth play, Maroon quarterback Conner Weigman perfectly placed a deep pass to Evan Stewart on the sideline for a 33-yard gain.

Not to be outdone, White quarterback Max Johnson immediately answered with a 52-yard touchdown throw to receiver Micah Tease.

Heralded freshman running back Rueben Owens looked good with 48 rushing yards. He also caught a couple of passes.

Stewart caught seven passes for 97 yards. Ainias Smith had four catches for 67 yards. Tease caught three for 72.

Also, Fatheree’s absence wasn’t noticeable because freshman tackle Chase Bisontis filled in and demonstrated why he’d drawn praise all spring.

That’s the half-full glass. Then there’s the half-empty part.

Neither Weigman nor Johnson were especially accurate. Even though the pass rush could not hit them, Weigman completed just 17-of-40 attempts. Johnson completed 21-of-37. Both threw an interception.

Based on their performances on Saturday, neither quarterback would appear to have an advantage in the competition for the starting job.

Indeed, coach Jimbo Fisher reiterated the competition would extend well into August and perhaps beyond.

“It’s going to be competition all the time, every week,” Fisher said. “All the way until the end of next year. Every position is going to be that way.”  

After Weigman led the Maroon to field goals on the first two drives, the next three possessions were fruitless.

The White team led by Johnson also struggled on three straight possessions after an opening touchdown pass to Tease.

“I thought we started off really good,” Fisher said. “I thought we could have had a couple of touchdowns, I thought we should have had a couple of touchdown catches, the first two (drives), guys didn't make plays that could have. But we moved the ball very well, scored a touchdown with Max, but they got in a little lull. The defense made some nice plays.”

The defense at times flashed brilliance. The anemic pass rush of last year appears to have added some iron.

Quarterbacks were often pressured. Gabriel Brownlow-Dindy was credited with a sack. There would have been several more had defensive linemen not been required to pull up and avoid contact with the quarterback.

Also, the run defense, which was among the worst in the country last season, showed signs of tightening up.

The White team allowed 139 rushing yards. The Maroon gave up just 74.

That’s encouraging for a team that allowed an average of 209 rushing yards a game last season. Such a showing suggests the Aggies could be much better against the run.

But don’t yet take too much from that suggestion.

Remember, spring football games cannot be trusted.