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Texas A&M Football: Post-Week 2 edition of Tired Vs. Wired

By Graham Harmon

Sep 3, 2022; College Station, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies wide receiver Yulkeith Brown (8) celebrates after his touchdown during the first quarter against the Sam Houston State Bearkats at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 3, 2022; College Station, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies wide receiver Yulkeith Brown (8) celebrates after his touchdown during the first quarter against the Sam Houston State Bearkats at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports /
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COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS – SEPTEMBER 10: Haynes King #13 of the Texas A&M Aggies throws during the second half under pressure from Jordon Earle #99 of the Appalachian State Mountaineers at Kyle Field on September 10, 2022 in College Station, Texas. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS – SEPTEMBER 10: Haynes King #13 of the Texas A&M Aggies throws during the second half under pressure from Jordon Earle #99 of the Appalachian State Mountaineers at Kyle Field on September 10, 2022 in College Station, Texas. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images) /

Take: Haynes King is the reason Texas A&M football lost to Appalachian State

An awful offensive showing against the Mountaineers has many people calling for a change at quarterback. Along with FIsher’s playcalling, Haynes King has borne the brunt of the criticism in recent days.

There were some notable misses by King on the final drive of the game, missing Ainias Smith on a would-be first down conversion and throwing behind Yulkeith Brown, causing him to lose his footing on a play that would’ve otherwise extended a crucial late-game drive. Earlier in the game, he had an ill-advised pitch on a speed option play that almost turned disastrous— luckily, Devon Achane fell on the ball, resulting in a 4-yard loss rather than a turnover. All this came after a game where King tossed two interceptions and had several throws that many observers felt could have been picked.

With that in mind, it’s easy to see how King has become the scapegoat for the offensive issues that the Aggies have shown early on this season. However, my personal takeaway from the game was that the offensive issues ran much deeper than King’s flaws.

The offensive line play was very poor, even from former Freshman All-American Reuben Fatheree at times, and Devon Achane had trouble on his blocking assignments as well. Receivers were running open, but there would be miscommunication on routes (see Chase Lane’s missed assignment on the ill-fated bubble play to Smith on 3rd-and-1 in the third quarter), and untimely turnovers hamstrung the ability of the offense to get in a rhythm.

Let me be clear: I am not saying I think QB1 performed well. I don’t think the team lost despite his performance. I just think his was one of several issues the offense exhibited and, while he is certainly the most visible member of the offense, he should not shoulder all the blame. That in mind, I will rate this take as TIRED.