Jahdae Walker Scores First TD, A&M Leads Warhawks 27-3 at Half
COLLEGE STATION -- Jahdae Walker can walk the walk as the new guy on campus. Now, he can talk it in Texas A&M's receiving room.
Walker, who filled in for the injured Evan Stewart, scored his first career touchdown on a 12-yard touchdown pass from Conner Weigman in the first quarter to extend A&M's lead by 10 over Louisiana-Monore. The Aggies lead 27-3 heading into halftime.
Walker, a transfer from Grand Valley State, made headlines throughout fall camp, working his way into reps with the first-team offense. He saw action with the starters against New Mexico, totaling three catches for 31 yards. Walker played seldom on offense against Miami, but did play on special teams.
The Aggies (1-1) know they can compete on offense with most programs due to the passing game led by coordinator Bobby Petrino. In the season-opening win over New Mexico, Weigman became the first A&M quarterback since Johnny Manziel in 2013 to throw for five touchdowns. The offense scored more points in the first half than in any game a season ago.
But the defense — and once stout wall of dominance under now-Duke coach Mike Elko — remains a concern under second-year coordinator D.J. Durkin. In last week's 48-33 loss to Miami, the Aggies allowed 374 passing yards and five touchdowns in coverage, 246 of which came after the catch.
Warhawks quarterback Jiya Wright converted on fourth down with a 51-yard run that eventually was called back halfway through due to a holding penalty. Tyrone Howell caught a 32-yard pass to put ULM in the red zone, but the Aggies stopped two short runs and an incompletion to force a field goal.
The Warhawks finished 0-of-5 on third-down conversions. Wright went 5-for-11 for 39 yards and led ULM with 32 rushing yards.
Weigman connected with Ainias Smith for a 32-yard gain to put A&M in Warhawk territory to open the second quarter before turning on the jets for a 19-yard touchdown. After missing Smith on a seam route to open the game, the sophomore went 14-of-14 before missing Walker for a first-down conversion.
Weigman finished 19-of-23 for 287 yards and two total touchdowns. Walker and Smith both finished with over 100 receiving yards. Amari Daniels scored on an 8-yard run with 48 seconds remaining in the first half. Daniels, who aver
Randy Bond drilled two field goals, both from within the 30. A&M finished the first half with 359 total yards and converted 72 percent on third down.
The Aggies will receive the ball to begin the second half.
