Aggies Offensive Line Remains Underlying Factor In Rematch Against Miami
COLLEGE STATION -- Bobby Petrino sits front and center of Texas A&M's offensive turnaround in 2023. He's earned praise after the Aggies totaled seven touchdowns and scored more points in the first half than they did all last season in a 52-10 win over New Mexico.
But every great story has a leading man and a supporting cast. Petrino and quarterback Conner Weigman remain the talk of College Station, but the underlying improvements on the offensive line could be a reason to buy stock in A&M's SEC contention status.
"You can draw it up all you want, (but) our offensive line was drastically different than it was a year ago," A&M coach Jimbo Fisher said Wednesday during his weekly radio show.
Little has changed from a season ago personnel-wise. Trey Zuhn, Layden Robinson and Bryce Foster all returned as starters at their respective positions. Kam Dewberry, who started five games for A&M last season, split reps at left guard with Mark Nabou through the game. Freshman Chase Bisontis, who enrolled early to gain extra reps in spring ball, was the only significant change at right tackle.
In reality, experience was the difference for the No. 23 Aggies on Saturday. Not just in reps on the field but repetition in practice under second-year coach Steve Addazio. It's a unit that now understands what the coaching staff expects and how to translate reps from practice into live snaps.
Competition has also factored into the positive progression. Players like Rueben Fatheree, Dametrious Crownover and Jordan Spasojevic-Moko all could slot into starting roles if given the opportunity.
"All those trials and tribulations [last season] paid off for us now getting those young guys in the game and doing the things they did," Fisher said Monday. "Getting [Chase] in the first game was even better, but he had been in camp and playing well, but until the lights come on and the scoreboard counts, it's different."
Miami will present a different challenge than the Lobos on Saturday at Hard Rock Stadium. New Mexico ranked 76th nationally in run defense last season and only registered 25 sacks in 2022. The Hurricanes (1-0) presented challenges for Miami (Ohio) in their season opener, holding the RedHawks to 215 yards of total offense.
Weigman, who became the first A&M quarterback since Johnny Manziel in 2013 to throw five touchdowns in a game, rarely faced pressure. That might not be the case against a stout defensive line in South Beach, headlined by Jahfari Harvey and Chantz Williams.
There will need to be a combination of precise play-calling from Petrino and proper execution from the offensive line if the Aggies hope to duplicate similar results. Fisher knows the Hurricanes can win in the trenches under second-year coach Mario Cristobal, but believes the improvements in trench play through the offseason should make for a more balanced approach come Saturday at 3:30 p.m. EST.
“We put hats to hats, we ran the ball, we picked things up, we picked blitzes up, the quarterbacks had time to stand and make reads and get to different parts of the play, and get the ball out of their hands," Fisher said. "Our offensive line was as key to that as anything.”
Last season. A&M defeated Miami 17-9 at home in Week 3, primarily due to junior running back De'Von Achane's versatility. Petrino and the passing game might take control in Round 2 to set the tone early.
The game will be nationally televised on ABC.
