Quotes and Notes from Jimbo After Texas A&M Football Defeats Auburn

Texas A&M football HC Jimbo Fisher meets with media

Following the Aggies’ decisive win over the Auburn Tigers in their first game of the 2023 SEC slate, head coach Jimbo Fisher met with the media. Here’s what he had to say.

Fisher began by saying how proud he was of the team in this hard-fought SEC victory. However, he mentioned that Texas A&M football didn’t have enough poise offensively at the beginning. The team overcame those early struggles but didn’t execute in the red zone. The defense was lights out, but you weren’t dominating the game at half. However, the defense never blinked—they kept right on playing. But the result is that you’re only up three at the half, and then you lose your QB. Jimbo praised Max for coming in and taking this Texas A&M football team right down the field to a touchdown twice in a row. However, he said, they couldn’t finish—a bad few penalties stalled a drive, and then Auburn scored on defense, and the Tigers are back in it. Luckily, the defense stepped up in the red zone, though. One thing Fisher emphasized was that the grit and toughness this group showed was great. The defense got constant pressure against the Tigers and played outstanding. He closed by saying the Aggies won the game but still didn’t play close to how they are capable of playing.

Asked about Weigman, Jimbo said that they don’t know about Conner’s status yet but that X-rays were negative. They’ll see how he feels as the week goes on. Max played great, Fisher said, and they have two starter-level QBs. Having Max available is huge. A reporter brought up the touchdown from Max to Jake and how Jimbo felt seeing that, to which he said, laughing, that he was happy that the Aggies were up two scores. He then said how cool it was, that knows their mom and dad were happy, and how unique of a thing that is.

One reporter brought up Jimbo’s presence on the field during Auburn’s scoop and score. Jimbo said he was on the field during the return because the Aggies should’ve thrown a bubble screen and he was yelling at a player, before remarking that he was lucky to not get get run over. In what might be a nod to the constant refrain from last year, Jimbo quipped that it was bad execution on his part! Speaking on the potential of this Texas A&M football team, Jimbo said that this team can play with anyone on their schedule, but they need to execute and be tough.

One of the big swings in the game was the overturned fumble return for the Aggies. Jimbo mentioned he was surprised the refs didn’t give them the touchdown there—it was shocking since it wasn’t obvious that it was forward. Asked again about the injury to Weigman and whether he had a sinking feeling seeing that, Jimbo said that he doesn’t as far as his team goes—sad for him, no doubt, but happy for Max’s opportunity and confident in his ability. He remarked that Max’s best asset is that he’s a tremendous person.

Taurean York had a huge day, and Jimbo said that the young linebacker is only going to get better. He continued, saying York is very mature and that what Texas A&M football fans see on the field is the way he practices every day. Jimbo said the Aggies are not content with this—the team didn’t have enough control of the game early and they can’t give opponents hope. However, he said, he’d give them ball to Owens one thousand more times, which he told him in the locker room. Fisher said he has a lot of confidence in Owens

Some quick hitters from Fisher as he closed the media session:

• Very pleased with the pressure the front was getting.
• Noah Thomas is banged up, but he should be back soon.
• Le’Veon is powerful, has burst, size, great player. All the backs have ability. Happy that Moss is getting healthy.
• Fisher liked that there was no frustration in the team even as the game was getting difficult. There’s a lot of character in what they did. Defense kept doing what they were doing, offense kept sawing wood.

We’ll hopefully find out more about Weigman and his status on Monday.