Fisher era begins at A&M
Fisher era gets off to a rousing start as Aggies have their way against Northwestern State
Texas A&M head coach Jimbo Fisher leads the Aggies onto the field for the start of their season opener Thursday night against Northwestern State in College Station.
COLLEGE STATION — All the streets in this Central Texas town were lined with fans dressed in maroon, braving the 100-degree weather on a Thursday afternoon.
They whooped and toasted as they tailgated before the 2018 season opener.
This college town had the same feeling that it always does on Saturdays in the fall.
The Texas A&M faithful were ready to kick off the season and start a new chapter — one
of high expectations and hope for more success.
The Aggies were ready for the Jimbo Fisher era.
The new head coach arrived at Kyle Field a few hours before kickoff, dressed in a gray suit and sunglasses. Fans shouted “howdy” and wished him luck.
They were as eager as he was to get things started.
For months, there has been nothing but talk about the Aggies’ new $75 million shiny new toy — a big-name coach who can turn things around and bring his winning ways to Aggieland.
On Thursday night, it finally became more than talk. The Jimbo Fisher era officially began with a 59-7 rout of Northwestern State.
Tradition is important at Kyle Field. The Corps of Cadets marched through the stadium before the game while Reveille IX trotted next to them.
Season-ticket holders filed in, hugging, catching up and highfiving each other.
The cannon sounded, and the band played.
The stands never filled up — the 8 p.m. Thursday start against a Southland Conference opponent had something to do with an announced attendance of 95,855 — but the uniqueness of Kyle Field was still in full effect.
It was a moment the A&M players have looked forward to since Fisher and his staff took over at the beginning of the year.
Most of them have been through the experience before. They have heard the crowd chant in perfect harmony. They have felt the stadium rock and pride ooze from the fans in attendance.
There really isn’t another place like College Station on a football game day.
“I can’t wait to see (Fisher) experience it for the first time,” running back Trayveon Williams said last week. “I am going to look over at him when we get out there and watch him. It’s like nothing else.”
A few minutes into the first quarter, Williams put a smile on his coach’s face when he scored on a 73-yard run on the way to a three-touchdown, 240-yard rushing performance.
The Aggies took some time getting into the swing of things. They and the Decons combined for eight penalties in the nearly hour-long first quarter. Once it got the kinks worked out, the A&M offense started clicking and totaled 758 yards, including 520 on the ground.
But by the second period, the pacepicked up. Kellen Mond, who earned the nod to start after an offseason quarterback battle, settled in and ran the offense efficiently. He finished 17-of-25 passing for 184 yards and two touchdowns.
The A&M defense did its part as well, holding the Demons to only 21 yards rushing on 13 attempts.
But while the Aggies eventually looked sharp, it is hard to say after how they will fare when they start Southeastern Conference play in a few weeks at No. 1 Alabama.
But they won’t have to wait until then to play one of the nation’s best teams.
Texas A&M will host secondranked Clemson next Saturday in a game that will be quite the measuring stick for Jimbo and Co.
“We have a tough schedule,” fullback Cullen Gilaspia said. “There’s no doubt about that. We can’t really take a break or a breather against anyone. It’s going to be a challenge.”
But it appears Fisher and his staff are up for it.
Since arriving in College Station dressed in cowboy boots in January, he has been nothing but enthusiastic about his new adventure.
His players have bought in. So has the rest of Aggieland. “It feels good to have him here,” said Mike Miles, who graduated in 2003. “I think he fits in well here. He has great players, great facilities and a supportive fan base. He can do great things here.”
Fisher was brought to Aggieland to win more than eight games a season. And no one wants him to accomplish that more than Fisher.
“My expectations are bigger than anyone’s,” he said when he arrived. “I can promise you that.”
After one game, it is hard to gauge how well Fisher will do. The real tests are still to come. .
But the first game is behind him now.
The Jimbo Fisher era is officially here.