Photo by: 12th Man Productions
SPOTLIGHT: Answering the Call
Sep 12, 2017 | Football
when their time came, Kendall Bussey and Jake Hubenak helped lead A&M to victory
In a world where instant gratification has become the norm, patience won out on Saturday night at Kyle Field.
Kendall Bussey and Jake Hubenak waited.
When it was their turn, they delivered the Aggies a win.
Entering the Nicholls contest, Bussey had 24 career carries. He toted it 15 times versus the Colonels for 97 yards, and A&M needed every one of them. Bussey's fourth-quarter touchdown put his team up for good.
He received individual commendation from his head coach in the locker room following the victory.
"Bussey! Hell of a job!" Kevin Sumlin yelled. His teammates let up a roar to show their approval of the running back's work.
"He waited his turn and made the most of it!" Sumlin continued in front of the team.
In the same locker room, Bussey stated he hoped it was just the beginning.
"I've been working hard and praying for an opportunity," Bussey said. "Now that I got the opportunity I did a little bit with it. Hopefully I get a little more."
Bussey, a New Orleans native, was carrying much of the offensive load down the stretch. His mother, Samica, is a personal trainer, and Kendall says 'she's in better shape than I am.' But Kendall looked pretty strong himself while showing his team what he's capable of.
"We talk all the time about trust and confidence," Sumlin said the day after the Nicholls win. "Be confident in yourself and get your coaches and teammates to trust you. Kendall did that."
Hubenak, meanwhile, was engaged in a quarterback competition this August.
He didn't win it.
But he stayed ready. There's victory in that itself.
There were no qualms when his name was called in the second half.
"I've been in this situation a couple times," said Hubenak afterwards. "So nothing new for me. (I had) to go execute the offense."
The senior went 12-of-15 throwing the football.
"That's a veteran guy," said Sumlin. "Jake came in and did a great job operating the offense."
Granted, their performance was a small sample size, and not against a big name opponent. But the Aggies will soon face more formidable foes.
Bussey and Hubenak have proven they're worthy of participation on the grander stage.
The world wants everything now. College football is one example. Players arrive in a program with a belief they can see the field right away. That's fine. Competition from the start is a good thing. But there's nothing wrong with progression either.
When playing time isn't a part of the immediate plan, what then? Bussey and Hubenak answered that on Saturday.
Their response wasn't immediate. It took time. They practiced patience in their past. The Nicholls game marked their present -- and they performed. Therefore, their futures could be fruitful.
Waiting can be the hardest part.
But it can also be quite rewarding.
Kendall Bussey and Jake Hubenak waited.
When it was their turn, they delivered the Aggies a win.
Entering the Nicholls contest, Bussey had 24 career carries. He toted it 15 times versus the Colonels for 97 yards, and A&M needed every one of them. Bussey's fourth-quarter touchdown put his team up for good.
He received individual commendation from his head coach in the locker room following the victory.
"Bussey! Hell of a job!" Kevin Sumlin yelled. His teammates let up a roar to show their approval of the running back's work.
"He waited his turn and made the most of it!" Sumlin continued in front of the team.
In the same locker room, Bussey stated he hoped it was just the beginning.
"I've been working hard and praying for an opportunity," Bussey said. "Now that I got the opportunity I did a little bit with it. Hopefully I get a little more."
Bussey, a New Orleans native, was carrying much of the offensive load down the stretch. His mother, Samica, is a personal trainer, and Kendall says 'she's in better shape than I am.' But Kendall looked pretty strong himself while showing his team what he's capable of.
"We talk all the time about trust and confidence," Sumlin said the day after the Nicholls win. "Be confident in yourself and get your coaches and teammates to trust you. Kendall did that."
Hubenak, meanwhile, was engaged in a quarterback competition this August.
He didn't win it.
But he stayed ready. There's victory in that itself.
There were no qualms when his name was called in the second half.
"I've been in this situation a couple times," said Hubenak afterwards. "So nothing new for me. (I had) to go execute the offense."
The senior went 12-of-15 throwing the football.
"That's a veteran guy," said Sumlin. "Jake came in and did a great job operating the offense."
Granted, their performance was a small sample size, and not against a big name opponent. But the Aggies will soon face more formidable foes.
Bussey and Hubenak have proven they're worthy of participation on the grander stage.
The world wants everything now. College football is one example. Players arrive in a program with a belief they can see the field right away. That's fine. Competition from the start is a good thing. But there's nothing wrong with progression either.
When playing time isn't a part of the immediate plan, what then? Bussey and Hubenak answered that on Saturday.
Their response wasn't immediate. It took time. They practiced patience in their past. The Nicholls game marked their present -- and they performed. Therefore, their futures could be fruitful.
Waiting can be the hardest part.
But it can also be quite rewarding.
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