As Texas A&M’s interim head football coach Elijah Robinson has a distinct goal in mind.
He wants the A&M players to have fun.
“We’re going to do things that’s going to allow those guys to have fun, play with juice and energy and just understand it’s going to be OK,” Robinson said on Monday. “Whatever that is, as a staff, we’re going make the adjustments that need to happen for those guys to enjoy this next few weeks and play as well as possible.”
Playing as well as possible will be more than enough for the Aggies (6-4) to defeat FCS opponent Abilene Christian (5-5) on Saturday at 11 a.m. at Kyle Field.
Also, giving offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino complete control may allow for an offense that usually wasn’t much fun under departed coach Jimbo Fisher.
“Coach Petrino has a great resume. I trust and believe in everything he decides to do moving forward with the offense,” Robinson said. “I trust coach Petrino to do the right thing for these players and for this program to be sure that we have the best situation to win.”
Robinson likely meant putting the Aggies in the best position to win next week at No. 15 LSU and in a bowl game.
“We’re going to do things that’s going to allow those guys to have fun, play with juice and energy and just understand it’s going to be OK. Whatever that is, as a staff, we’re going make the adjustments that need to happen for those guys to enjoy this next few weeks and play as well as possible.”
- Interim Head Coach Elijah Robinson
There’s little doubt the Aggies will defeat Abilene Christian, which lost to Southern Utah 52-14 four weeks ago.
Still, there is intrigue in how the Aggies will look in posting a victory.
What will quarterback Jaylen Henderson do for an encore? Last week in his first career start, Henderson accounted for four touchdowns (two passing, two rushing) in a 51-10 victory over Mississippi State.
What will Ainias Smith, arguably A&M’s best and most explosive player, do in what is expected to be his final game at Kyle Field?
How will the A&M’s pass rush, which is second in the nation with 39 sacks, affect Abilene Christian quarterback Maverick McIvor?
Could the Aggies post only their first shutout since blanking Sam Houston in the 2022 season opener?
It’s certainly possible for Henderson to have another strong outing, for Smith to leave Kyle Field in a blaze of glory, for the Aggies to record multiple sacks and to even record a shutout.
That is if they’re not distracted by the circumstances of the previous week or not focused on playing an overmatched opponent.
Robinson doesn’t think that will be an issue.
“We have a unique group of guys,” he said. “We have a great leadership group. Those guys will get them riled up. They’ll get them ready to go.”
