Texas A&M Aggies Discuss Max Wright's 'Non-Touchdown' In Win Over South Carolina
COLLEGE STATION -- Death, taxes and Max Wright finding the end zone against South Carolina. Those are the only truths Texas A&M fans know will happen in late October.
Too bad one of the three didn't occur Saturday in the Aggies' 30-17 win over South Carolina, snapping a two-game losing streak in the process.
Or did it?
Did Wright's right foot find its way in bounds during the third quarter to secure another touchdown in the Bonham Trophy rivalry?
"Yes. Tud, yes, big tud [touchdown]," said senior receiver Ainias Smith. "[I] saw that catch and all that, yes."
Wright, the Aggies' sixth-year tight end, has always impressed when playing against the Gamecocks. He's also so far only found the end zone when playing South Carolina, with both scores coming at Williams-Brice Stadium in 2020 and 2022, respectively.
Saturday's win marks the end of the annual South Carolina-Texas A&M showdown with expansion coming to the SEC, but it also the end of Wright's time to secure six points in "his game."
On second-and-goal, Max Johnson had two options open to move the sticks. Young brother and tight end Jake Johnson remained down low, but Wright had broken past the South Carolina linebacker and was nearing the sideline.
Initially, officials called it an incomplete pass, but decided to take a second look. At second glace, Wright's right foot did look to be in bounds when the ball touched his hands.
So, what was the problem? Did Wright not have complete control? Was the toe outside of the line?
"That is a tud," said Smith, visibly upset for the veteran's misfortunes. "And then we had to go back out there. I said, but that's a tud, bro.
"I feel like they snaked him in a way."
Texas A&M Aggies tight end Max Wright (42) makes a reception as Louisiana Monroe Warhawks linebacker Travor Randle (4) defends during the first quarter at Kyle Field.
© Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
A&M coach Jimbo Fisher credited Johnson for making the right decision and taking the shot. At first glance, Fisher said postgame it looked like Wright was in.
"I thought we had a touchdown, but didn’t in that situation," said Fisher.
Officials had other plans, confirming it to be an incomplete pass. A cascade of boos pummeled through Kyle Field as the jumbotron left Wright's foot on the screen until the whistle blew and the new play began.
Johnson missed Noah Thomas for the touchdown and the Aggies were forced to settle for a 26-yard field goal from Randy Bond. Wright finished the afternoon with two catches for 16 yards.
Then again, his teammates believe a third catch and a third score for Wright against the Gamecocks was made, even if final stats say otherwise.
"It was kinda iffy, but when I saw, I think they showed on the screen," said linebacker Edgerrin Cooper." And I was like, yeah, I think it was 100 percent touchdown."
The Aggies hit the road next weekend to take on No. 12 Ole Miss at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford. Kickoff is scheduled for 11 a.m.
