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Texas A&M Football: The Ten Biggest Moments of the 2016 Season

By Matthew Bartlett

Sep 17, 2016; Auburn, AL, USA; Texas A&M Aggies receiver Josh Reynolds (11) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the second quarter at Jordan Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 17, 2016; Auburn, AL, USA; Texas A&M Aggies receiver Josh Reynolds (11) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the second quarter at Jordan Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-USA TODAY Sports /
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Texas A&M Football
Nov 5, 2016; Starkville, MS, USA; Texas A&M Aggies quarterback Trevor Knight (8) moves in the pocket during the first quarter against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Davis Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Trevor Knight’s shoulder injury against Mississippi State

Texas A&M had been named the fourth seed in the initial College Football Playoff rankings just days before the Aggies traveled to Starkville to play Mississippi State. Aggie fans were on top of the world. Discussions of the likelihood of running the table abounded.

Then came a crushing blow that nobody could have seen coming. After a less than ideal start against the Bulldogs, Trevor Knight took off for a 19 yard touchdown run to cut the Mississippi State lead to 14-7. On the play, Knight injured his throwing shoulder diving for the pylon and was forced to briefly leave the game.

Backup Jake Hubenak took over for a series before Knight was either deemed healthy enough to play or was able to convince the coaches that he needed to be out there. On that drive Knight took a vicious shot on third down as he scrambled towards the sideline. He did not re-enter the game.

Jake Hubenak played well in relief. He completed 11 of 17 passes for 222 yards  with two touchdowns and one interception. After the game it was announced that Knight would be done for the season.

Hubenak threw for 884 yards and 6 touchdowns on the season, but his lack of mobility combined with the absence of the Aggies’ clear on-field leader proved to be too much for this young team to overcome. Knight wasn’t the best quarterback in the SEC, but his value to this team cannot be overstated. His injury altered the course of the 2016 season.