WATCH: Texas A&M quarterback Haynes King throws first touchdown pass of the season
Texas A&M quarterback Haynes King did not take long to show why he was named the Aggies’ starter just a couple of weeks ago.
On the first drive of the season, King led a 10-play, 75-yard touchdown drive over 5:33 against Kent State. Running back Ainias Smith caught the score, a four-yard pass.
King was 6-for-6 with 49 passing yards on the drive. Running back Isaiah Spiller and Smith had 36 yards on four carries to start the game.
Kent State took the ball 68 yards on 10 plays for a 30-yard field goal on their first drive.
King is a 6-foot-3, 200 pound redshirt freshman and a dual-threat player. He had two completions for 59 yards and a touchdown and six rushing attempts for 43 yards last season as a backup to Kellen Mond.
King will be eased into a daunting SEC West schedule. After tonight’s game against Kent State, they take on Colorado (in Denver) and New Mexico.
The quarterback battle in College Station raged all spring
Texas A&M head coach Jimbo Fisher took his time when naming his starter. Redshirt sophomore Zach Calzada was the other option. Fisher was happy with both options in camp.
“We’re going back and forth,” Fisher said. “They each get a shot with the ones in practices and scrimmages. I’ve been pleased with both guys. Both guys have made a lot of progress taking care of the ball for the most part pretty well. Occasionally they’ll throw a pick every now and then, but I want them to. You can sit there and say don’t throw picks and then you don’t make any plays. You’ve got to take chances, you got to throw balls, you got to find out what you can and cannot do. I’ve been very pleased with that. There’s been a lot more big plays than there has in any of those situations.”
Calzada is also a redshirt sophomore. In 2019, he played in three games and went 12-for-24 with 133 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. He did not play in 2020.