Following a 9-3 regular season, NC State football will face Texas A&M in the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl Monday at TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville, Florida. The Wolfpack will face the Aggies looking to finish with 10 or more wins for the first time since 2002. Technician caught up with Angel Franco, sports editor of the Battalion, Texas A&M’s student newspaper, via email to break down the game.
Technician: How did this season go for the Aggies?
Angel Franco: This season, I would say was one of a kind. Which I think comes with it being the first year under Jimbo Fisher. In the past 8-4 was underwhelming in the eyes of A&M fans, but this year it was different, with a close loss to No. 2 Clemson in Week 2, an overtime win over then-No. 13 Kentucky and finally a 7-OT win over No. 8 LSU. So, I feel that this season – while not a perfect season – was very successful. There were improvements on all phases of the game and I think it was the strong foundation to the next nine seasons under Fisher.
T: Jimbo Fisher is a coach NC State fans are very familiar with. What did he bring to Texas A&M in year one?
AF: Toughness, effort, discipline and pride. Those four words were said every week by players and Fisher, but most importantly, it was seen on the field. In the past, A&M was always criticized for not being able to close out a game, there was flashes of it this past season, but it was quickly fixed by Fisher. Fisher brought a new culture to A&M one that I think will stick, because everyone is buying into what Fisher brought and will bring for the rest of his tenure.
T: What are the Aggies’ strengths and weaknesses?
AF: A&M’s strength is by far the run game. When the run game is going the passing game opens up and the entire offense is working like a well-oiled machine. Also having Kellen Mond be a mobile quarterback as well as being able to stay in the pocket and pass is something that compliments the offense well. A&M’s weakness is its secondary, especially now with senior safety Donovan Wilson being out due to an injury. Throughout the season the secondary let several explosive plays happen. Granted they did fix some of those issues later in the season, but I still think that the secondary is A&M’s biggest weakness.
T: Who are some key players to watch?
AF: Junior running back Trayveon Williams is one of the most exciting players on the team. His ability to make plays out of the back field and go for big explosive plays makes him one of the biggest players to watch. Sophomore quarterback Kellen Mond is another player on offense that is exciting and a key player. When he’s on he’s on. Then there’s the receiving corps as a whole. They are all young and all very talented, just look at the LSU game. On the defensive side of the ball, junior linebacker Tyrel Dodson and senior defensive end Kingsley Keke are some of the most important players on the defense. Dodson has been an anchor at the linebacker position. Keke is a force on the line.
T: What is Texas A&M’s x-factor?
AF: I think A&M has two: Junior tight end Jace Sternberger and junior punter Braden Mann. Sternberger was spectacular for the Aggies this season and a break out star. He provides not only the ability to give pass protection but is also very agile and can go up and get jump balls. In addition to that, Sternberger is very good with yards after the catch.
T: How do the Aggies match up with the Wolfpack?
AF: I think it will be a really good match up on both sides of the ball. I think like I mentioned earlier, the secondary will struggle a bit. Overall I think A&M is ready to build off the end of the regular season and tune up for the spring.
T: What is your score prediction for this game?
AF: Texas A&M wins 35-24.
