WATCH: Zach Calzada connects with Isaiah Spiller for winning touchdown
After trailing all game long, Texas A&M broke through with the winning touchdown pass from Zach Calzada to Isaiah Spiller. The 18-yard connection gave the Aggies a 10-7 against Colorado with 2:41 remaining.
The A&M defense came up with a stop on the ensuing Buffaloes possession to end the game.
Calzada, who started the game as the backup quarterback, entered early in the first quarter after Haynes King left with an injury. He struggled early but finished the contest 18-of-38 passing for 183 yards and the touchdown. Most importantly, he threw no interceptions.
The Aggies offense struggled with King out, mustering just 289 total yards and only 98 on the ground. Normally incredibly effiecient on the ground, Spiller was held to just 20 yards on eight carries. He was a lot more involved in the passing game than usual with six catches for 56 yards and the touchdown.
Instead, the defense saved the day time and time again. The Aggies held Colorado to 89 yards passing and forced an interception. However, they allowed 171 yards rushing.
Calzada struggled early to connect with his receivers, but grew more comfortable as the game went on. He made a few nice plays with his feet and almost rushed for a touchdown but fumbled it at the goal line. He had seven carries for 29 yards.
A redshirt sophomore, Calzada is entering his third year with the program. He saw limited time against Kent State and finished 0-for-1 passing with an interception. He did not play in 2020.
The Sugar Hill, Georgia, native came to College Station as a rather unheralded recruit.
King and Calzada were entrenched in a quarterback battle during the offseason. King won the starting job with a week to go before the season opener.
He was tasked with replacing Kellen Mond, who started multiple years for A&M. Mond’s senior season culminated in a 9-1 finish that included a victory in the Orange Bowl against North Carolina.
Calazada will have another week to prepare with the first team before the Aggies face New Mexico next week. As exciting as this week was, Aggies faithful will hope that game doesn’t come down to a winning touchdown catch from Isaiah Spiller.