The Fightin' Texas Aggies must turn the page as they travel to Knoxville this Saturday to face another top-25 foe in No. 19 Tennessee. On Monday, Jimbo Fisher, Layden Robinson and Fadil Diggs spoke to the media to preview the road trip.
The following are live, paraphrased notes from Jimbo Fisher’s Monday afternoon media availability:
- Very hard-fought game on Saturday. Our kids played hard. They affected us in some ways. We have to coach them to where they do it consistently. We didn't score points in the second half. On 4th-and-1, we felt confident in the play. Alabama did a good job. The rushing yards, I take the sacks away from it. Le’Veon Moss had some good stretch runs. Bryce Anderson had a good pick. Max Johnson’s interception, we missed a twist.
- We ran into the official. Ainias Smith made a good route, and we have to get it to him. Then we had the blocked field goal. We gave up a safety. We got a penalty on the touchdown, and we couldn't do it. We had plenty of opportunities. 4-2, not exactly where we want to be, but there's a lot of football left.
- We have to win one-on-one blocks. They got the ball off. Jalen Milroe made some good plays. Jermaine Burton did a good job of getting open. You can only cover so long in the secondary. It’s hard to get the guys on a slant. We have to be tighter in coverage.
- Great freaking question. The ref is supposed to step forward. They are not there very often. It is what it is. Gave them a 12th defender. Unfortunately happened at a critical time.
- We needed two scores. We needed a field goal to give us a chance. We had just had a field goal blocked. I knew there would be a minute left. I wanted to make sure we secured the field goal. They screwed up. They should have taken a knee on the first down and ended the game. I don’t know why they did that. I wanted to make sure the field goal made it.
- Reuben Fatheree is still rehabbing. Tony Grimes has not been able to practice consistently due to a lower-body injury.
- Tennesssee is a very good team. They have a three-back system. They are good players. Squirrel White has juice. He plays like a squirrel. When Joe Milton throws deep balls, you aren’t used to playing a ball thrown that far. Our DBs need to pay attention. Their punter can punt with both legs. They are a good football. Milton is like KJ Jefferson. He is a big guy.
- On the road, mature teams play well. Alabama had nine false starts. Tennessee is one of those hard places to play. Staying focused. We are always changing reps and what we want to do in. practice.
- You saw a hurt locker room. Our guys have character and heart. You have to do ordinary things. They see it. I blame myself. I have kids telling me it's their fault. No, it’s not.
- The first short-yardage play was a missed assignment. We will go back and evaluate who we give it to. You aren’t going to play any other bigger, stronger front guys than the ones we just played. We have to be better. The SEC always has good defensive linemen.
- I want 75 percent in the red zone. In the ULM game, we missed two reads. We had a missed read vs. Auburn. I have had 88 to 90 percent before. We have to do a better job.
- We haven't created a lot of turnovers. I count a fourth down stop as a turnover. We did that against Arkansas. You have to worry about tackling first and not giving up deep throws.
- We need to get the ball out. It’s a combination of both. We had some protection, but we need to get rid of it. Distribute the ball because we have enough playmakers.
- You have 11 dudes. They have 11 dudes. Communication can be tough. If that is good, you have to trust your eyes. Hearing the snap count and those things can be an issue.
- We practice at a fast pace. We get our minds off of it. You don’t want to dwell on the big win and then, the next week, lay an egg. We have good leadership. That’s a double-edged sword when you win or lose.
- Edgerrin Cooper is trusting himself and his eyes more. He has enough maturity. When he explodes, he is one heck of an athlete. It’s amazing when a guy plays for three or four years how much better they play. I hope all guys see that.
- We had Evan Stewart targeted for five or six calls in the second half. We need to get the ball to #1. Your playmakers need to touch it, and he is one of them.
- We lean on analytics, points and the momentum of the game. We have one of the best punters. I wanted to pin them inside the 10.
- We have a big football team. You better be physical in this league.
