Aggies Take Down Mississippi State, 51-10

BRYAN-COLLEGE STATION, Texas – The Texas A&M defense stymied Mississippi State and Jaylen Henderson held up his end of the bargain in his Kyle Field debut, propelling the Aggies to a 51-10 takedown of the Bulldogs.

The Texas A&M defense held an opponent without an offensive touchdown for the third time this season and the Aggie offense registered its most points in an SEC game since the 2014 season opener against South Carolina (52-28).

Henderson accounted for four touchdowns in his first game at Kyle Field. He completed 11-of-19 passes for 150 yards and two scores. He rushed 12 times for 60 yards and two more touchdowns.

The Aggies started behind the 8-ball when Mississippi State's Zavion Thomas returned the opening kickoff 94 yards for a touchdown, but A&M's defense held the Bulldogs to just a second quarter field goal for the remainder of the game.

The Aggies forced four turnovers, including the first three interception game in league action since 2015. The highlight was a scoop-and-score by Shemar Stewart after a forced fumble by Jarred Kerr. Tyreek Chappell, Deuce Harmon and Jacoby Mathews picked off passes.

It did not take long for Texas A&M to respond to the Bulldogs' opening sortie as Henderson marshaled Ol' Sarge's charges on a six-play, 80-yard drive to tie the game three minutes later. Henderson called his own number on the touchdown, scampering 22 yards to paydirt to tie the score 7-7 just over three minutes into the game.

Texas A&M dominated the rest of the half, with three more touchdowns and a pair of Randy Bond field goals to lead 34-10 at the intermission. The 34 points were the most for the Aggies in the first half of an SEC game since they scored 35 against Auburn in 2014.

Amari Daniels' 1-yard touchdown plunge put the Aggies up 17-10 at the 2:32 mark of the first quarter. Randy Bond kicked the ball through the uprights from 33 and 52 yards before Kyle Ferrie got Mississippi State back on the board with a 35-yard field goal with 6:55 left in the half.

The Aggies kept their foot on the gas pedal the rest of the half. Henderson hit Ainias Smith on a 19-yard slip screen for a score at the 4:58 mark and Henderson added his second rushing touchdown from 11 yards out in the waning moments of the first half.

Texas A&M closed out the scoring with an 11-yard touchdown strike from Henderson to Jahdae Walker late in the third quarter and a 45-yard field goal by Bond midway through the fourth.

The Aggies wrap up their home schedule next Saturday at 11 a.m. CT against Abilene Christian. The game will air on SEC Network +/ESPN+. 

Postgame Notes

Team Notes        
 

• Texas A&M's three interceptions against Mississippi State were the most in a game since picking off four passes in the 2019 season opener against Texas State, and the most against an SEC opponent since intercepting three passes against Ole Miss in 2015.
• The 41-point margin of victory was the fourth largest for the Aggies in SEC play and the largest in the series against Mississippi State.
• A&M's 51 points were the most points scored in regulation of an SEC game since the 2014 season opener against South Carolina (52-28).
• The Aggies' 34 points in the first half were the most in a first half in the SEC game since A&M put up 35 on Auburn in 2014.
• The Aggie defense held an opponent without an offensive touchdown for the third time this season, after also limiting ULM and Auburn earlier in the year.
• Texas A&M forced a season-high four turnovers and turned them into 17 points, including a scoop-and-score.
• The Aggies, who are allowing just 15.6 first downs per game, limited the Bulldogs to just 12 first downs on the night.
• A&M was 5-of-6 of the red zone, scoring 31 points on four touchdowns and one field goal.  
• Texas A&M had its largest rushing total of the season with 246 yards, including three players with 50-plus yard on the ground.
• The Aggies recorded 5.0 sacks, their fourth time registering five-or-more sacks in seven SEC games.
• Tonight's captains against Mississippi State were OL Layden Robinson, DL McKinnley Jackson, DB Demani Richardson and WR Ainias Smith.

 
Individual Notes    

• Sophomore transfer QB Jaylen Henderson became the third quarterback to start under center for the Aggies this season, finishing his A&M debut by accounting for four touchdowns. He completed 11-of-19 for 150 yards and two TDs while rushing 12 times for 60 yards and two TDs.
• Henderson is the first Aggie QB to score multiple rushing touchdowns in a game since Kellen Mond (2017-20) scored a pair of rushing TDs in the first quarter against Mississippi State in 2019.
• Graduate WR Ainias Smith made it 37 consecutive games with a reception, extending his streak with a 12-yard grab in the second quarter. He boasts the eighth-longest streak in the nation and the longest by an Aggie since Christian Kirk (2015-17) caught a pass in 39 straight games.  
• Smith recorded his second receiving touchdown of the season after catching a pass and dicing through the Bulldog defense for a 19-yard score. It marked the 19th receiving touchdown of his career, tying him for No. 5 on the Aggies' all-time list with Uzoma Nwachukwu (2009-12) and Bob Long (1966-68).
• Junior LB Edgerrin Cooper registered his second double-digit tackle game of the season and the fourth of his career, equaling a career high with 11 takedowns against the Bulldogs.
• Sophomore DL Shemar Stewart became the second Aggie to score a defensive touchdown this season when he scooped up a loose ball after a solo sack by sophomore DB Jarred Kerr knocked the ball out and returned it 43 yards to the end zone.
• Kerr registered a season-high six tackles along with 1.0 sack, a TFL and a forced fumble.
• Sophomore DB Deuce Harmon recorded his first interception of the season and the second of his career, and sophomore DB Jacoby Mathews also picked off a pass in the first quarter for his first career interception.
• Junior DB Tyreek Chappell added a third pick on the day in the third quarter for his first of the season and second of his career.
• Junior DL Shemar Turner made it back-to-back games with a blocked field goal when he got a hand on a 49-yard attempt early in the fourth quarter.
• Junior PLK Randy Bond matched his career long as he sent a 52-yarder through the uprights in the second quarter. His three field goals on the on the day upped his career total to 34, which moved him into 11^th on A&M's all-time list.
• Bond's 21 made field goals on the season rank fourth on A&M's list, one shy of second place.
• Bond ended the game with 101 points on the year, cracking the top 20 on the A&M single-season list in 17^th place, just four points shy of the top 10.

Postgame Quotes: Jimbo Fisher

(quotes courtesy Caption Pros)

COACH FISHER: All right. Good solid win. All three phases affected it. We didn't like the opening kick-off. We got to get that fixed. That can't happen. We didn't have a good kick. Kicked it low. I'm not sure. And then we got pinned on one side, and they broke it out.

Especially to have a new quarterback (Jaylen Henderson) come in, and for him to step up first drive and take us 80 or 75 yards right after that, and made some plays to even that game up was huge. I thought Jaylen was outstanding in the game. I thought he had good poise in the game. Some things we got to get cleaned up. Some things there. But ran the ball, ran two, threw two. No turnovers. Got us in a lot of right plays. We were able to run the ball on the offensive line.

They're a tough team to prepare for. Their stunts, blitz, twists up front, and constant pressures, we did a really good job on the offensive line.

And then I thought defense we were outstanding in game. Created four turnovers. Scored on a turnover. Created some other opportunities and played the run.

The second half got a little loose on a couple runs, and didn't tackle. Missed some tackles a couple times they got down there, but we were able to create the plays, and make a big interception, make good plays on the ball at times on the rest of it.

But then was really solid. Our field goal game was really good. And just played a good, solid team effort in everything we did. And it's good to get an SEC win and get ready to play next week. Questions?

Q. What was it you saw in Jaylen's [Henderson] poise that you knew he was ready to go? There was one place, for instance, when he was about to get sacked. He gets rid of the ball and it sets up the [Randy] Bond 52-yard field goal, instead of getting out of field goal position. 

COACH FISHER: Exactly right. The second drive of the game, he took one. You know what I'm saying? And we talked about that, just -- because sometimes when you're first playing, you want to make every play, you know what I'm saying?  And he reminded. That paid off. He learned really quick. Jaylen is a really quick learning.

Since he's been taking our two rep, we felt very comfortable in practice. He's just gotten better and better each week in practice and going against our defense, our good on good. And we started making plays and running, and knew he could play. Knew he could play.

And I thought he played outstanding. He's counted for four touchdowns and no turnovers, and then started dumping that ball off, making some plays that way. Checked a couple protections and got us in the right protections to get the ball out and some runs. Played a really good football game.

Q. Jimbo, just what was his pregame demeanor like? Making his first start and --

COACH FISHER: Very calm. Because I was watching him. I was watching him out of the corner of my eye. You wonder how guys are pregame. In the meetings -- sometimes at the beginning of the week, you'll see guys in practice be okay. And the last couple practices, you will see them start to get nervous when the whole gamut of stuff is in there. He didn't during the week, during practice.

I thought it was one of the best weeks of practice our team had. We really practiced good this week, from Monday all the way through, even coming off a tough loss. But his demeanor was calm, answering the question. Very talkative and very informative. And his questions and the conversations were right on.

Q. You guys forced four turnovers. How big was that, especially when you have a quarterback that's new on your team?

COACH FISHER: Number one thing that affects games is turnovers. Then your big plays and things like that, and then to set up scores and to create a score, to scoop and score on the one we did. And really got five, because you've got a fourth down stop. When you get a fourth down stop, that's like getting a turnover too. And that was huge, especially down there too. So our defense was outstanding in the game.

Q. How early in the week did you know he was going to be the guy? And how many first-team reps did he take?

COACH FISHER: He took a lot because we rested Max [Johnson]. We knew Max was banged up. It's funny, because Max, when he got hit, he got hurt on a quarterback sneak. That's where he got hit, and we don't know. And I think he's still capable of coming back.

But we didn't know because guys play with it, some guys -- how bad.  He's just shook up. So we didn't wait until the end of the week. We didn't know. We took first team reps early because we rested Max for a couple days. And then we're thinking we could get him back in, but it just wasn't right and wasn't going to take that chance. He wasn't healthy enough.

Q. How much were y'all able to tailor the game plan --

COACH FISHER: We were tweaking and turning. We always do that. We've done that for the last three or four weeks that we've been working on special things with him to play to his skill set when he's been taking the two reps. So it really wasn't a huge adjustment that way. He had already been running most of the things that we'd been running.

Q. Do you have any timetable for Max's [Johnson] return?

COACH FISHER: No, and hopefully he'll be back. He's close. He was throwing at the end of the week so we'll see.

Q. Hey, Jimbo, Jarred Kerr got the start with Bryce Anderson being out. What did you see from him? And especially on the --

COACH FISHER: Well, he made out great. He's the one had the sack -- and I tell you what, it was hard on that -- I give him credit, and I told him on the sideline. He had a blind shot on the quarterback. And sometimes you get there, you get antsy and you get illegal hit or something. He did it clean. Face in the chest and all that stuff and created the turnover. Jarred is a really good player. He plays a lot of special teams, a lot of stuff for us in the secondary, a lot of different positions. I thought he played a great game and set up the scores.

Q. With Jaylen's [Henderson] mobility, how do you feel he played behind the offensive line?

COACH FISHER: Really good. His legs create a whole different dimension. Not just run on drop-back, but the runs and how you got to -- you can't just tee it up and rush. Because you got to worry about quarterback run and different things you do. And I thought he was outstanding and his legs was huge in the game.

Q. And then no Evan Stewart tonight, but Jahdae [Walker] comes up and gets another touchdown. Where have you seen his improvements?

COACH FISHER: Jahdae is playing outstanding football. He's learning what to do and he's getting comfortable and confident. You come from a Division II, you know, it's one thing to have the talent to play here, but being in practice, going in these environments, atmospheres, and week in, week out, having to play great people, I think he's really adjusting. Like I said before, he's like a starter. Jahdae he's big, physical, can block, catching balls. He's just getting better and better. Got a great future.

Q. Jimbo, you mentioned the good week of practice that you guys had this week. What does that say about your guys and what is the vibe that you're getting from the team right now?

COACH FISHER: Tremendous. I said this last week, you're down 14-0, going to 17-0. You block a field goal and make it 14-7. They come right back and score and make it 20-7. You think oh, okay. Nope, we go back and score to make it 20-14. Then got it second half and have it ready to go 21-20, and we have a turnover. They go 28-14. We go back 28-21. They go 31-21. We go 31-28. Last week's game. And then we get a stop and go 35-28. And they go back and get ahead and then we come back and still are kicking a field goal.

My point to that is they keep playing. They're going to keep playing, being resilient, understand why, and they come back this week. Okay, we didn't get what we wanted, but we got a game this week. This is our opportunity. We got to put that behind us and we're going to play well this week and get better and go on. It shows they're high-character, quality kids. Like I said, adversity doesn't build character until later. It reveals it at the present time. And our kids' character is being revealed today. It matters, they care. They came out and played a great game. Hopefully we'll play another great game next week and another great game the last week.

Q. As you mentioned, Jaylen [Henderson] has been getting reps with the twos for a little bit. But what does a guy like that have to do over the course of the entire off-season when he's not getting those one or two reps that he was doing to prepare himself to be able to step into that backup role?

COACH FISHER: We're not like most teams. When I'm saying ones and twos. We go ones and threes on the field, twos and fours on the field. So if you're a four or a one, you get the same number of reps. So our player development, getting guys to learn what to do and how to do it because we practice on two fields at a time. We split the team in half, and split our coaches in half for that reason, to develop young players. And he was taking advantage of all the reps he was getting, even though he was a three. And he was on the field with the ones. So taking those reps and watching what to do, how to do it, and he learned very quickly and took advantage of it.

Q. And I know coaches always talk about complementary football. I guess aside from it just happening to happen, what is the key that you stress to the guys to actually make it happen another than just by coincidence?

COACH FISHER: Well, I mean, we practice sudden change. Like you get turnovers, trying to get points. And then with the defense, we'll put the defense in where the offense have them backed up. And we'll be in practice, and say there's a turnover. You got the ball. Our team's got the ball at the 25 or the 30. They're ready to score. Can you stop them? We try to work on those things as much as you possibly can. The emotion of a game day is different. Because those momentum swings, but they did a good job of that as much as we work on it.

Q. Coach, you have a night like tonight where you're using your third string quarterback and you play as well as you do, does it just make this season that much more frustrating and head-scratching for you?

COACH FISHER: No, it's not frustrating. Disappointing at times. We are three or four plays from playing in the playoff spot, but we got to put that past us, and we got to grow from it, and learn from it for next year, but we got to finish out this year. We're 6-4. Need to be the best 7-4 team in the country and the best 8-4 team in the country. That's our goal. That's what we can control right now. No, I don't dwell on those things right now. I live in the moment, and we got to be ready to play Abilene Christian next week.

Q. Jimbo, how much of a relief is it to have your running game come to the fore like it did tonight, for a guy with the first start (Jaylen Henderson)?

COACH FISHER: Well, that, and I think he created some of that himself with his legs, and what we were able to do with the running game, calling those plays for him too. It makes a difference, and I think that puts a different stress on the defense.

Listen, when you can run the football. Everybody can throw it in the world, but when you run the football, that means you're controlling the game. That's something we always take pride in and we're getting better at. Thank you, gentlemen.

Postgame Quotes: Jaylen Henderson

Q. Jaylen, first of all, just were you nervous before the game?
 
JAYLEN HENDERSON: There was a little, little bit of, like, jitters, but I was very confident in the scheme that we had. The team, we did a great job preparing this week. So once that first snap came, I wasn't nervous anymore at all.
 
Q. Did you have family in the stands at all?
 
JAYLEN HENDERSON: I did, I did.
 
Q. How many people came in from California?
 
JAYLEN HENDERSON: About eight people. Mom, dad, brother, auntie, cousin, and their kids.
 
Q. What did it mean to you to come in, filling in, and have such a great game to lead the team to a win?
 
JAYLEN HENDERSON: It meant a lot. The team, they showed a lot of confidence in me throughout the week. So I didn't want to let those guys down. And first of all, I just want to thank God for even putting me here in the situation. Without him, I wouldn't be here. And it did mean a lot to me to get the win in front of the fans.
 
Q. Jaylen, was there a particular play or moment where you sat there and kind of thought, oh, yeah, I can do this. This isn't a problem?
 
JAYLEN HENDERSON: I mean, not really. But that first touchdown, that was a good one. It's one I'll never forget. That's my first college touchdown. But I've always been confident since the first snap to the last.
 
Q. Yeah, Jaylen, how much practice first team reps do you feel like you got? And kind of when in the week did you know that the job was going to be yours?
 
JAYLEN HENDERSON: Well, Max [Johnson] was still kind of undecided. So we both split and everything. So that was pretty much it. We just split throughout the whole week getting first-team reps.
 
Q. When you do know the job would ultimately be yours?
 
JAYLEN HENDERSON: Probably like Thursday.
 
Q. And was there a play that stood out to you as kind of the highlight, your favorite of the game?
 
JAYLEN HENDERSON: I feel like throwing the touchdown to Jahdae Walker. Line did a great job. And he's my roommate, so that was special for both of us. So I'll say that one.
 
Q. Jaylen, talk a little bit about your journey here. What drew you here and what's been your experience so far working with this team?
 
JAYLEN HENDERSON: So you know, I came from transfer from Fresno State. Great coaches up there. Love it up there. But I saw the opportunity at Texas A&M. I loved everything about the school, love Coach [Bobby] Petrino, Coach [Jimbo] Fisher, so that's something that drew me here. And I'm glad I made the transfer.
 
Q. A lot of times when a guy transfers, it's with the idea that I could compete for a starting job. But you knew there were a couple guys ahead of you. So how did you go ahead and make that decision about A&M even though [Conner] Weigman and [Max] Johnson and even Marcel Reed were going to be here .
 
JAYLEN HENDERSON: All three of those guys are great quarterbacks. We have a very strong quarterback room. And I always bet on myself. So when the opportunity came, I couldn't buck. I just had to be ready for it. And watching those guys, learned a lot from what they did well. And the coaches just had me ready to go for today, too.
 
Q. If there was one play that stood out, where you had the awareness to get rid of the ball when you were about to get sacked and kept y'all within field goal range, and I think you kicked a 52-yarder. Could you just kind of take us through that?
 
JAYLEN HENDERSON: Yeah, kind of like you said, we were in field goal range so I didn't want to take a sack and hurt the team. I wanted to make it an easier field goal for Randy [Bond] and he nailed it down. So that was good.
 
Q. Was there anyone on the team that kind of gave you a piece of advice right before you took the field for the first time?
 
JAYLEN HENDERSON: Max Johnson actually. He was talking to me throughout the whole game, or, like, before the game. He was giving me some very encouraging words, so I appreciated him for that.
 
Q. Was there a moment that he brought you over to the sideline and said here's maybe what you missed, here's what you should look at next time? One of those kinds of situations?
 
JAYLEN HENDERSON: After every drive, we kind of talk to our guy on the sideline. And Max [Johnson] would throw his two cents in. It was kind of like all the coaches just kind of giving advice.
 
Q. And then A&M is now bowl eligible after the performance tonight. What does it mean to you to be a part of that and then now being able to get back to that next chapter?
 
JAYLEN HENDERSON: It means a lot. But first and foremost, got to finish out this season, try to win out so we can get a better bowl game. But it means a lot that we're bowl eligible. I know it's something that we didn't get to accomplish here last year. So it mean a lot.
 
Q. Jaylen, you mentioned that your teammates showed confidence in you earlier in the week? How did they do that? How did they go about kind of building that confidence up for the game?
 
JAYLEN HENDERSON: Just hyping me up, saying I know you got it 1-6, just putting in good practices and everything. And as practice went on, the confidence in the O-line, receivers, running backs, start to grow more. So they did a good job of not having any negative energy going into this week.
 
Q. And then what did the defense do in game for your confidence? They gave you a lot of short fields, a lot of big plays, what was that doing for you?
 
JAYLEN HENDERSON: Short field makes it easier to score for our guys. So defense, they balled out. They had, like, three, four turnovers, so that definitely helps out. And there's a big part of the reason why we put up 50-plus points today.
 
Q. What did you -- what was something you wanted to showcase for the A&M fans who maybe heard about you but hadn't seen your game, weren't familiar with your game? What was something maybe you kind of pride yourself on that you're going to say, hey if anything else, I'm going to lay that out on the field?
 
JAYLEN HENDERSON: Really just playing my game and showing that I was a dual-threat quarterback. Not someone that can just run but also can throw the ball too. That's a big part of what I've been practicing on in the offseason, just getting bigger, stronger, faster. So I wanted to put that on display. And I feel like we did that as a team today.
 
Q. Does your family come to every game? Or was it specific for this one knowing you were going to start?
 
JAYLEN HENDERSON: They came to the Auburn game. It was my mom's birthday. That one. They came to the Alabama game. And my brother came to the South Carolina game.
 
 
Q. Were they planning to come to this game already? How does that come into motion when you find out two days before game day that you're going to start? 
 
JAYLEN HENDERSON: Yeah, when I told them I was starting, they dropped everything and got a flight. They were like, Oh, really? It was awesome. My mom had a business opportunity. And she left it and came to the game. She's like, I can't miss it.
 
Q. Jaylen, way back here. How tough was it to just kind of bide your time and, I mean, it's middle of November. And you know, you finally get a look. You said you believed in yourself the whole time. But you got to be able to get on the field. And that took a while.
 
JAYLEN HENDERSON: Yeah. You know, I believe in God's timing. So it happened when it happened. But you know, my role at that time at the beginning of the season was just to encourage whoever quarterback was in, Conner [Weigman] or Max [Johnson], encourage the receivers, the running backs, the O-line. So that was kind of my job on the team. And then obviously starting today, it went up a little bit.
 
Q. Jaylen, y'all really played a consistent effort today from start to finish. Something that make really maybe wasn't the case in previous games. Can you talk about if anything felt different about this one?
 
JAYLEN HENDERSON: Going into halftime, just trying to keep the energy up at halftime and let them know, keep the pressure going on. And don't let off the gas. So that's what -- the whole team, we were trying to establish at halftime.
 
Q. Yeah, how much did you feel like the coaching staff tailored the game plan, the play calls to you and your skill set? And how much did that help you get comfortable and feel like you could succeed?
 
JAYLEN HENDERSON: You know, we had the plays in. We have plays in for every quarterback. So obviously, this kind of -- like you said, tailored towards me. And it made it easier first game. A lot of quick stuff. And then had some shots down the field and everything. Feel like they did a great job calling the game. And everything we practiced, we ran today. So I was comfortable running it.
 
Q. Yeah, Jaylen, first of all, can you tell us your mom and dad's name? And then secondly, what do you think was the -- what was going on up there in the stands with them when you ran in that first touchdown?
 
JAYLEN HENDERSON: Yeah, so my mom's name is Shirell Henderson. My dad's name is Jamie Henderson. I already know they was going crazy. It's been long overdue. Like someone else said, trying to get on the field. So it was a great moment for my entire family. And it's a blessing just to be here and show out in front of the fans and everything.

 

Postgame Quotes: Edgerrin Cooper

Q. Edgerrin, for a quarterback that hasn't played at the Power Five level, making his first start, what did you think of Jaylen [Henderson]'s performance tonight?
 
EDGERRIN COOPER: We already knew what he could do. We've seen him in practice. We wasn't surprised at all. We know the weapons we had at quarterback. We're ready for him to put it out on the field.
 
Q. Four turnovers today. What was your favorite one?
 
EDGERRIN COOPER: Probably the one with Shemar [Stewart]. We've been waiting on that one. We love celebrating. Celebrating with my brother. That was the funnest one. Everybody comes out and enjoying the game. That's the best part about it.
 
Q. It's one thing for you guys to create turnovers, but do you get a sense of pride when you watch the offense go ahead and capitalize and score on the turnover?
 
EDGERRIN COOPER: Most definitely. This all adrenaline building off each other. We all hype each other up. We're just trying to dominate the other side of the ball. We just go from there.
 
Q. Yeah, Edgerrin, among the defensive guys, was there ever any discussion this week about saying, Hey, got a third-string quarterback coming in there, so there's more pressure or more dependence on us to do some great things?
 
EDGERRIN COOPER: Not really, no. We go into every game with the same mentally. And like I said before, we knew what he could do. We trusted him, ready for him to capitalize.
 
Q. You gave the offense a lot of short fields tonight. Was that something that -- I don't know if you necessarily can work on that or make it an objective, but did you feel like you had the opportunity to control Mississippi State from early on?
 
EDGERRIN COOPER: Easily. And just like we said, we trying to bump both sides of the ball. We're trying to work together. We trying to give our offense the ball back as soon as we can. And when we create turnovers and give them that field position, I feel like that makes it a lot easier on them and gives us the confidence we need.
 
Q. I got to ask you about one play in particular. And I said it kind of symbolized the night for y'all, their quarterback (Chris Parson) was trying to stretch for fourth and one, and you grabbed him by his ankles and yanked him back out of the pile. Could you take us through that?
 
EDGERRIN COOPER: Actually, Durk (DJ Durkin), he tells us -- that's really a thing he teaches us.  Grab them -- you can't move forward with your feet off the ground. So that's a thing we are always
 
practicing and he taught us. This is my chance to do it. So I went ahead and did it.
 
Q. Last week was not the best for you guys in the secondary. How good did it feel to be able to make some of those big plays tonight?
 
EDGERRIN COOPER: It feels good. I felt like we played like ourselves today. And last week, things didn't go our way, but we got to move on forward. We know what we could do, and we just got to move on forward from that.
 
Q. What did you hear from Tyreek [Chappell] and Duece [Harmon] in particular, each of them had some big ones on the interceptions?
 
EDGERRIN COOPER: Funny thing, Duece was talking about it earlier in walk through, talking about how he needs to keep getting interceptions. So that was a fun thing to see him catch that. That was a great play on him, and just excited for everybody to be able to make plays across the field.
 
Q. Yeah. And then you mentioned your favorite was the scoop and score.
 
EDGERRIN COOPER: Yeah.
 
Q. What did you see on the hit that Jarred [Kerr] gave?  And just what did you think of his game with him playing in place of Bryce [Anderson] being out?
 
EDGERRIN COOPER: I saw him play a lot better today. Making open-field tackles. And we just like to trust our guys. We all put confidence with each other and let us play. We know what we can do.
 
Q. Any part of you at all concerned about Shemar [Stewart]'s wellbeing after running it in that far? He seemed like he was a little gassed. He was separating.
 
EDGERRIN COOPER: We was talking about it on the sideline, how he ran 30 yards and still about to pass out out there. It was just fun. We all like to crack jokes and build energy off of each other.  We like to enjoy football, have fun. That's our main priority.
 
Q. I don't think we talked to you since it happened. I know the [Chuck] Bednarik Award Semifinals came out. You weren't on there. A lot of people surprised with that. Has that given you, you feel like, even more potentially of an edge, no pun intended, or do you feel like you are still just playing the same way, just putting that aside?
 
EDGERRIN COOPER: I feel like I want to play the same way, but that even motivated me more. I feel like I'm not doing enough. I should give them a reason not to have me on -- well, have me on there. But things happen. I got to go for it. It was a goal I wanted, and can't do nothing about it. Just have to keep going.
 
Q. Edgerrin, how big was it for you guys to extend the season by becoming bowl-eligible?
 
EDGERRIN COOPER: It's a priority we were looking forward to, and we're just trying to check the boxes on each objective and do what we can do.
 
Q. I do have a follow-up sort of to that. Just from the standpoint of you guys played well on both sides of the ball. But is there any way to explain why you weren't able to do that earlier this season?
 
EDGERRIN COOPER: No, I mean, I can't tell you. It's just football. Things happen. Really can't tell you. Sometimes stuff just don't go your way and you just have to make the best of it.
 
Q. I know the kick-off return for a touchdown obviously wasn't like the ideal start. Can you talk about how y'all didn't let that influence the rest of the game, especially in the first quarter?
 
EDGERRIN COOPER: That's another big thing with the defense, when stuff happened, we're always like, So what. Let's respond. You can't do nothing about it. It is what it is. You got to go to the next down and play the next play, just play ball and give our offense the ball. And they did what we needed to do when we did that.

 

Postgame Quotes: Ainias Smith

Q. Was that in some ways kind of cathartic, just kind of a relief to have an offensive performance like that?
 
AINIAS SMITH: In a way, yes, you know what I'm saying. We had a great game plan from our coaches coming into the week. And before I continue -- sorry, y'all, I'm a little under the weather. I've been sick all week. Man, no, we definitely had a great game plan going into the week. I felt like, excuse me, the offense definitely executed very well.
 
I felt like when Jaylen [Henderson] came in and became the starter, we all put our heads down, and was like, we got to play for you. We're going to play hard and do what we got to do to go ahead make the whole offense, the whole team just be successful. And it definitely felt good to be able to see the way he performed and just to see the way we all came together as a team and rallied around him.
 
Q. When you have someone who hasn't started before like him, you maybe have to tailor things a little bit from a game plan standpoint. What do you think really worked for you guys from a game plan standpoint?
 
AINIAS SMITH: I feel like we were able to run the ball, you know what I'm saying. Being able to have that run game going for us opened up the pass game a little bit. And then on top of that, having Jaylen [Henderson] as a threat in the running game, you know what I'm saying, that definitely played a big factor. And really just like I said, everybody coming together and rallying around him and, shoot, just playing hard.
 
Q. Ainias, from a standpoint of practice and moving into the game, what were some things that you noticed about Jaylen's [Henderson] demeanor, his poise, how he carried himself, and then, of course, after touchdown drives and everything along those lines?
 
AINIAS SMITH: Man, first, just like when Conner [Weigman] got hurt, it felt like we didn't even lose a beat. He came in, first off, he was always ready for any situation. He stayed ready, even when he was the third-string quarterback. He goes hard every single day. Even after practice, he always staying after, getting extra throws in, doing a little extra running, whatever the case is. He's already ready. And shoot, it showed today, you know what I'm saying.
 
Even throughout practice, he was going hard. It just made it seem like he was ready for the moment, you know what I'm saying. And I felt like he was all throughout the practices, he was very poised in the backfield. Even when we was doing good on good, I can see that he was ready for the moment, you know what I'm saying, making good throw, making good reads, calling out the right calls and doing everything right. And I feel like that helped us today.
 
Q. When you look at your history here at A&M and how many quarterbacks you've caught a touchdown pass to, just the relationship you have with them, does that give you a sense of pride just knowing that you can be a security blanket?
 
AINIAS SMITH: In a way, yes, for sure. Like you said, I definitely have been -- I played with a lot of different quarterbacks here. Like you said. But I mean, I just try to work, you know what I'm saying. I try to get in where I fit in. And the same with all the quarterbacks that I've been with, you know what I'm saying. Every day after practice, I'm throwing with Max [Johnson] or I'm throwing with C-Weig (Conner Weigman) or I'm throwing with Jaylen [Henderson]. It doesn't really matter. That was all throughout the offseason.
 
Before we even started the season, Jay (Jaylen Henderson) was calling us, hey, you trying to get some extra work in? He was just always ready for the situation, for the moment. So I feel like -- I guess you could say I'm a security blanket, but I just try to play ball.
 
Q. The final punt return that you guys had, it looked like you didn't call a fair catch and then you started running and then you got a little frustrated. What happened there?
 
AINIAS SMITH: Man, so as soon as the ball was kicked, I had threw my hand up. Coaches were low-key mad at me from the last punt return when I didn't call a fair catch. They was like, this is your career, you know what I'm saying? All right, bet, I got you. I'm going to call a fair catch. And then I threw my hand up. I looked and I seen everybody and I didn't hear no whistle. So I turned around and look at the ref and he shook his head like that ain't a fair catch. I said, shoot, I better off just running. And they blew me dead or whatever. And then the dudes, they kept trying to tackle me or whatever, but it is what it is.
 
Q. With what's -- with that touchdown run that Jaylen [Henderson] had around the outside in the third quarter, did it feel like there was a little more juice in the crowd? Kind of seemed like that was a crowd turning point that they bought into the offense, did you feel like that?
 
AINIAS SMITH: In a way, yes. I get so much joy just watching my teammates get success, have success. And when I saw him scramble, first off, I thought he was going to throw me the ball. So then I'm thinking like scramble drill. Let me turn up field and feel me get open. And I seen him get running, oh, let's go block. And the crowd started going crazy. Oh, yeah. It felt good to hear them and see him going crazy. And then, man, I'm just thankful the 1st man. They came out today like it was a national championship. We got to the team walk and I seen everybody, woo, they deep today. And just the fact that Jay, how they had Jaylen [Henderson]'s back, it all came together for sure.
 
Q. Was that one of your favorite blocks of the season? I think you pancaked him?
 
AINIAS SMITH: Most definitely. Most definitely. Most definitely.
 
Q. How big is it for the offense when you have a defense that's causing that much havoc? That's giving you guys these short fields? What does that do for the defense?
 
AINIAS SMITH: Man, so it sparks a light in our fire, you know what I'm saying. Sparks a fire -- whatever -- you know what I'm saying. But, no, it definitely gets us going. I'll say to be able to have a defense like that, as an offensive player, number one, I want to be out there with them because they're so turnt, you know what I'm saying. Like I want to play defense with them.
 
But since I'm on offense, shoot, I just want to go turn up for them, you know what I'm saying. I don't want to have them go out on the field and feel like, ah, the offense, they selling us, and we got to make a play. I'm trying to have everybody's back just like they have ours. So it's just like, you have that -- I feel like we played real well together today, you know what I'm saying. I feel like we haven't been doing that throughout the years and whatnot. But today, we definitely did. And it definitely felt good.
 
Q. How did you see Jaylen [Henderson] step up as a leader this week? Obviously, has to prepare mentally and be ready to play, but how did he step into that role that quarterbacks have to take on all the time?
 
AINIAS SMITH: In a way, like I said earlier, he was ready for it. He just came in. His voice was hurt, you know what I'm saying. He was breaking out the little breaks, you know how we do the little team breaks, he was doing stuff like.
 
His presence was felt, you know what I'm saying. Every time he stepped on the field, we knew Jay in there, we got to cut up. And then, he out there making plays. Sometimes you don't always lead by your words. Sometimes you got to lead by your actions. And the way he was doing in practice, you know what I'm saying, like it got us right and gave us confidence to, like, oh yeah, we're going to do something for sure.
 
Q. You and Jahdae [Walker] had a little synchronized celebration there. How would you rate your execution on that?
 
AINIAS SMITH: 10 out of 10.
 
Q. And Coach (Jimbo Fisher) talked a little bit about it, about how everyone -- and we've seen with it the receivers in addition to the quarterbacks, in this program, that everyone, kind of regardless of where they are in the depth chart, they get reps in practices, as opposed to other places where ones and twos, and if you're beyond that, good luck. What would you say about the way y'all handle it and can kind of build that depth throughout the depth chart?
 
AINIAS SMITH: Man, I honestly want to go all the way back to offseason, you know what I'm saying. The young cats, they came in early during the spring. Jahdae [Walker] was the last one to come in. But all them boys was ready, you know what I'm saying. They dove right into the playbook as soon as they got here. It was a little different for those guys. Just because, in my past years, we had to go through the process of actually being a freshman, you know what I'm saying. You got to go to scout team and do all those other things. But these guys, they were ready, you know what I'm saying. They came in ready and working hard. They were just trying to find their role, at first, you know what I'm saying. That's how it all started. Everybody was just trying to fit in and just make plays.
 
And I feel like with everybody that came in, we knew we didn't have a lot of, I guess you could say scholarship players or whatnot, I think there was six, seven of us starting off. And we all knew, like, we were going to eventually all have to play. Because that's how football works, you know what I'm saying. Some things happen. Like last year, I got injured and some guys had to step up, you know what I'm saying. This year, we ended up with like four receiver -- four scholarship receivers, four or five of them traveling this week. So it's like, guys have to step up, you know what I'm saying.
 
I just feel like throughout the offseason, throughout the whole season, we were ready for the moment, you know what I'm saying. The way we prepare, the way our coach gets us ready. Coach [Dameyune] Craig, he does a good job with us. Getting us ready in the meetings. Making sure we all know each position. It's not just one position we're trying to learn. And I feel like that's really set us apart from most teams or whatever you were saying earlier.
 
But I just feel like once somebody learns concepts and not just their position, you know what I'm saying, then that's when you can move guys around and have everybody ready and prepared. And I feel like that's what we did this year.
 
Q. Can you explain, I guess, to the fans or the 12th Man just how you guys were able to play so well tonight, complimentary football, but that was kind of few and far between in a lot of games this year.
 
AINIAS SMITH: Man, yeah, so I don't know. It's tough. You know, some things don't go your way in the games that you really want them to go, want to win, and whatnot. But I don't know, I just feel like this week, we wanted to have fun, you know what I'm saying. We had Jay (Jaylen Henderson) back there. Well, I can speak for my room. We wanted to have fun with it, you know what I'm saying. We definitely wanted to make plays for Jaylen and go out there and ball.
 
But I know it's tough for us not to have the record that we wanted at the beginning of the year. But I just felt like today, we took the 12th Man energy that they had brought to us, you know what I'm saying. They came deep. And they stood behind us, you know what I'm saying. So I just feel like with that, we had to stand behind our quarterback, stand behind our guys, rally together, and just go off for each other. And I feel like that's what we did. I mean, I don't really have much else to say. It's just, we came together as a team and bought in.
 
Q. You guys have had some frustrating experiences with Mississippi State since you've been here. How nice was it to go out there and beat them in this fashion?
 
AINIAS SMITH: Got our get back. You know what I'm saying, got our get back. Felt great. Most definitely. For sure, sure. God bless. Gig 'em.