Jimbo Fisher encouraged by Zach Calzada, Texas A&M offense

When Texas A&M starting quarterback Haynes King went down with an injury during the Colorado game on Sept. 11, big questions around an inexperienced quarterback behind an inexperienced offensive line became even murkier. 

Backup Zach Calzada stepped into King’s place, and the Aggies escaped Denver with an ugly 10-7 victory over Colorado. Texas A&M handled New Mexico 34-0 last weekend, but with SEC play looming, the offensive problems may really start to show up. 

However, Texas A&M head coach Jimbo Fisher joined “The Paul Finebaum Show” on Monday and expressed confidence in his new starter.

“Zach can get the ball to all parts of the field,” Fisher said. “He came in in a very tough situation in Colorado, he got thrown into it, and we didn’t play well around him either. It was not just him. It was magnified because of him, receivers, tight ends, o-line, I mean different guys. He was able to really pull it back, and the last two drives he had in that football game was really remarkable with the way we were playing. And that gives me tons of hope.”

Calzada finished the game against Colorado going 18-for-38 with 183 yards and an 18-yard, game-winning touchdown pass to Isaiah Spiller with 2:41 remaining in the game. Last week against the Lobos in his first career start, Calzada was 19-for-33 with 275 yards, three touchdowns and an interception. His head coach took note of his positive progression. 

“I thought he played a very solid football game last week,” Fisher said. “He had one mistake with a pick, but he made three touchdown throws, a couple of them really outstanding, was good on third down, managed the game. I thought played a very solid game, is progressing very well. He has the ability to beat you with his legs and he can definitely get the ball to all parts of the field with his arm.”

King is expected to be out at least a few more weeks after surgery for a fractured ankle.

Aggies open SEC play this weekend

Texas A&M faces an Arkansas opponent on Saturday that has given them a hard time in recent years. While the Aggies have won nine straight meetings, the last four games between these teams have been decided by 11 or fewer points. The 2014, 2015 and 2017 games were all decided in overtime.

The Southwest Classic takes place in Arlington at the Dallas Cowboys stadium. It has been played there nine of the last 12 years.

This year’s game features two ranked teams, with Texas A&M at No. 7 and Arkansas at No. 16. With an over/under of 47.5, experts are expecting a defensive battle. Texas A&M is allowing just 5.7 points per game, which leads the nation. The Aggies are a 5.5-point favorite as of Wednesday afternoon.