Photo by: Texas A&M Athletics
White Team Beats Maroon, 17-14, in Spring Game
Apr 12, 2019 | Football
COLLEGE STATION, Texas – Quarterback Kellen Mond passed for 172 yards and two touchdowns to lead the White team to a 17-14 victory over the Maroon in the 2019 edition of the Maroon & White Game on Friday at Kyle Field.
Mond, a junior-to-be from San Antonio, Texas, connected on a 25-yard TD strike to junior Camron Buckley in the first quarter and added a 29-yard score to sophomore tight end Glen Beal. A 45-yard field goal by true freshman placekicker Caden Davis in the third quarter completed the scoring for the White team. The White team combined to throw for 255 yards on 22-of-43 attempts from Mond, redshirt freshman James Foster and veteran Colton Taylor. The White team had three receivers with five catches in Beal, running back Deneric Prince and wide receiver Jhamon Ausbon, and Beal led the way with 70 receiving yards.
The Maroon team was led by junior running back Jacob Kibodi, who rushed for 106 yards and a score on 20 carries. His three-yard TD run late in the final quarter drew the Maroon to within three, but the White was able to run out the clock for the victory. The White team passed for 187 yards on 15-of-38 attempts. Leading the way in receiving were freshman tight end Baylor Cupp with five catches for 88 yards and a touchdown and Kibodi with five for 53 yards.
On the defensive side, junior cornerback Moses Reynolds posted a pair of interceptions for the White team, while converted linebacker Aaron Hansford, who was a receiver previously, posted a game-high nine tackles. Junior defensive tackle Jayden Peevy led the way with a pair of sacks.
2019 TEXAS A&M SPRING FOOTBALL AWARDS
(Presented at halftime of the Maroon & White Game)
COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD
Cagan Baldree
Keeath Magee II
TOP ACADEMIC AWARD
Quartney Davis
James Foster
Demarvin Leal
Ikenna Okeke
OFFENSIVE MOST IMPROVED PLAYER
Colton Prater
DEFENSIVE MOST IMPROVED PLAYER
Bobby Brown
Devin Morris
Jayden Peevy
SPECIAL TEAMS MVP
Braden Mann
Max Wright
OFFENSIVE MVP
Ryan McCollum
DEFENSIVE MVP
Justin Madubuike
Head Coach Jimbo Fisher
Opening statement…
"We had a good solid spring, I thought it was competitive and physical. I thought both lines, offensive and defensive, got much better. I think our skill guys were getting much better, we had some injuries but the guys that did play did a good job. It was a good solid spring, now we just have to evaluate what we are and who we are, and also get those guys back in the first of May into June. We need to get the freshmen incorporated into what we do and how we do it. I am ready for a challenge of a season, but I'm excited about it. I thought things went well this spring, but we have to get ready for this season."
On making quarterback Zach Calzada's the No. 2 option at the position…
"No, I'll wait and look at the film and see where we're at and what's going on there. He made some nice plays to show some of his talent today. We put him in a tough situation today at the end after the missed assignment. I thought he played well."
On the depth at defensive line and linebacker…
"Defensive line I really like, we have good depth. We have to keep developing that depth at linebacker, just some bodies. I felt comfortable in our defensive line, we have to develop more linebackers."
On the play of Moses Reynolds and Jacob Kibodi…
"Kibodi had a solid day in the scrimmage the other day and had opportunities when other guys were banged up. He also had a good day today, but the thing is when they start getting a lot of carries they have to keep carrying the load too. It has to keep going and I think that's something they need to get used to. Moses is talented and when he is locked in mentally he's as talented as anyone on this football team. He is a gifted guy, it was great to see him makes those plays."
On tonight's Spring Game…
"It was a competitive nature and what we wanted to get out of a game like this. We knew we were going to have some battles in the offense and defensive lines. I thought it was about how I thought it would go."
On the five turnovers…
"Most of them were good plays. The first play was a bad throw, [Kellen's] hips were running up and down, but I thought Kellen played outstanding in the end. His reads and decisions were really good. The last play by Moses [Reynolds] was a great pick, there wasn't a guy so we have to give him more room. At the end of the game we need to take a shot, so it was a good defensive play and wasn't a terrible throw, just an outstanding play on defense. [Connor] Blumrick doesn't need to throw it back, that was a miss. On the missed assignment on the call we put [Blumrick] in a tough situation there with that call. With Baylor Cupp's fumble, it was ball security. He got a good ball and was anxious and the defense made a nice play to get it back.
Sophomore Defensive Lineman Justin Madubuike
On the defensive line…
"It's been competitive, we have young guys like [Derrick] Tucker coming in and a lot of people off of injuries coming in, so we have a lot for defensive linemen that are hungry for the position. It's been fun, we have a great bond with each other and we're going to continue to push through the summer."
On this spring compared to last spring…
"I feel that this spring we were better than last spring. It wasn't complicated, it was more mentally drawing up plays that was the toughest but physically going through the plays was connecting the dots for us. We picked up pretty quickly and executed day in and day out."
On defensive end Michael Clemons…
"He's showed leadership both vocally and by example. He is a guy open to honesty and will tell you when you're doing stuff wrong. He breaks it down for us in huddles to make sure everyone is on the same page.
Junior Offensive Lineman Ryan McCollum
On going up against Bobby Brown…
"It is a challenge. He comes every time. We go four plays on and four plays off so he gets his breather then he comes back full force. If you aren't going against him then you are going against Justin Madubuike, so there is not letting up any play. It makes you better."
On quarterback Kellen Mond…
"I think he is great, we are boys. We hang out outside of the football facility too. I think we have a good friendship outside of football and we just get along on the football field as well."
On difference between this time last year and this year…
"We made leaps and strides from where we were last year. Last year we were just focusing on learning the offense and what the calls were while the defense was figuring it out too. It kind of made it harder on us to figure out what was the right call to make when the defense was all moving around. This year we were just able to focus on situations, technique and just getting better personally since we already knew the offense."
On attitude heading into the rest of the offseason…
"Be great. We want to win a national championship; SEC championship; go undefeated. We want to be dominant in the SEC and be feared by our opponents."
Junior Linebacker Buddy Johnson
On Andre White…
"Andre White came in full force. He is a young guy, very strong. He is ready to learn. When I got here I had to look up to Tyrel [Dodson] and OT [Otaro Alaka]. They were the old guys and the leaders. Now I have to be the leader and give back to him. He is ready to learn, very smart and is picking up his plays fast. He has the physical ability."
On being a veteran and stepping into leader role…
"It is very different with OT [Otaro Alaka] and Tyrel [Dodson] leaving; they were the older guys and the leaders. Now it happens to be me and Aaron Hansford having to lead the linebacker group. It is a big change and big opportunity for me and us older guys. But it is something that has to be done if we are trying to get where we want to be."
On Aaron Hansford's transformation from tight end to linebacker…
"Playing offensive, being explosive and being able to run is the same thing as defense. Hansford just came over on defense and picked it up immediately. He played linebacker in high school and can run fast. He is as good as any linebacker that has played here."
Sophomore Quarterback Kellen Mond
On how the injuries to the wide receivers have impacted the team...
"With a lot of the receivers hurt, it's usually really hard to continue to build chemistry and then restart from square one. But I've definitely seen a lot of growth from some of the younger guys stepping up. You never know what could happen during the season, so they're definitely going to have to be ready."
On quarterback Zach Calzada's progress through spring training...
"I thought he's done a really good job. Obviously it's a complex playbook and something that's pretty difficult. So [with] the way he's able to manage it and continue to learn and continue to never be satisfied, I've been really impressed with him."
On how the tight ends have performed throughout the spring...
"We lost a really tight end, but we knew that somebody was going to have to step up. Whether it be Glenn Beal or Baylor Cupp. I felt like coming into the spring, both of them have done a really good job. But there's still a lot of work to do for them, just like everybody else. They're always going to work hard and they're never going to be satisfied."
On how the running backs have filled in for Trayveon Williams...
"Trayveon [Williams] was definitely a big part of our offense [by] rushing for 1,700 yards last year. Jashaun [Corbin] having a whole year behind Trayveon [Williams] and being able to learn was definitely a big thing. But with him hurt, obviously Jacob Kibodi stepped up really well today. Deneric Prince had a solid day, so I definitely feel like we've got a lot of good backs. No matter what, we're always going to have to have a good running game. So I felt like they've done a really good job this spring."
Mond, a junior-to-be from San Antonio, Texas, connected on a 25-yard TD strike to junior Camron Buckley in the first quarter and added a 29-yard score to sophomore tight end Glen Beal. A 45-yard field goal by true freshman placekicker Caden Davis in the third quarter completed the scoring for the White team. The White team combined to throw for 255 yards on 22-of-43 attempts from Mond, redshirt freshman James Foster and veteran Colton Taylor. The White team had three receivers with five catches in Beal, running back Deneric Prince and wide receiver Jhamon Ausbon, and Beal led the way with 70 receiving yards.
The Maroon team was led by junior running back Jacob Kibodi, who rushed for 106 yards and a score on 20 carries. His three-yard TD run late in the final quarter drew the Maroon to within three, but the White was able to run out the clock for the victory. The White team passed for 187 yards on 15-of-38 attempts. Leading the way in receiving were freshman tight end Baylor Cupp with five catches for 88 yards and a touchdown and Kibodi with five for 53 yards.
On the defensive side, junior cornerback Moses Reynolds posted a pair of interceptions for the White team, while converted linebacker Aaron Hansford, who was a receiver previously, posted a game-high nine tackles. Junior defensive tackle Jayden Peevy led the way with a pair of sacks.
2019 TEXAS A&M SPRING FOOTBALL AWARDS
(Presented at halftime of the Maroon & White Game)
COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD
Cagan Baldree
Keeath Magee II
TOP ACADEMIC AWARD
Quartney Davis
James Foster
Demarvin Leal
Ikenna Okeke
OFFENSIVE MOST IMPROVED PLAYER
Colton Prater
DEFENSIVE MOST IMPROVED PLAYER
Bobby Brown
Devin Morris
Jayden Peevy
SPECIAL TEAMS MVP
Braden Mann
Max Wright
OFFENSIVE MVP
Ryan McCollum
DEFENSIVE MVP
Justin Madubuike
Head Coach Jimbo Fisher
Opening statement…
"We had a good solid spring, I thought it was competitive and physical. I thought both lines, offensive and defensive, got much better. I think our skill guys were getting much better, we had some injuries but the guys that did play did a good job. It was a good solid spring, now we just have to evaluate what we are and who we are, and also get those guys back in the first of May into June. We need to get the freshmen incorporated into what we do and how we do it. I am ready for a challenge of a season, but I'm excited about it. I thought things went well this spring, but we have to get ready for this season."
On making quarterback Zach Calzada's the No. 2 option at the position…
"No, I'll wait and look at the film and see where we're at and what's going on there. He made some nice plays to show some of his talent today. We put him in a tough situation today at the end after the missed assignment. I thought he played well."
On the depth at defensive line and linebacker…
"Defensive line I really like, we have good depth. We have to keep developing that depth at linebacker, just some bodies. I felt comfortable in our defensive line, we have to develop more linebackers."
On the play of Moses Reynolds and Jacob Kibodi…
"Kibodi had a solid day in the scrimmage the other day and had opportunities when other guys were banged up. He also had a good day today, but the thing is when they start getting a lot of carries they have to keep carrying the load too. It has to keep going and I think that's something they need to get used to. Moses is talented and when he is locked in mentally he's as talented as anyone on this football team. He is a gifted guy, it was great to see him makes those plays."
On tonight's Spring Game…
"It was a competitive nature and what we wanted to get out of a game like this. We knew we were going to have some battles in the offense and defensive lines. I thought it was about how I thought it would go."
On the five turnovers…
"Most of them were good plays. The first play was a bad throw, [Kellen's] hips were running up and down, but I thought Kellen played outstanding in the end. His reads and decisions were really good. The last play by Moses [Reynolds] was a great pick, there wasn't a guy so we have to give him more room. At the end of the game we need to take a shot, so it was a good defensive play and wasn't a terrible throw, just an outstanding play on defense. [Connor] Blumrick doesn't need to throw it back, that was a miss. On the missed assignment on the call we put [Blumrick] in a tough situation there with that call. With Baylor Cupp's fumble, it was ball security. He got a good ball and was anxious and the defense made a nice play to get it back.
Sophomore Defensive Lineman Justin Madubuike
On the defensive line…
"It's been competitive, we have young guys like [Derrick] Tucker coming in and a lot of people off of injuries coming in, so we have a lot for defensive linemen that are hungry for the position. It's been fun, we have a great bond with each other and we're going to continue to push through the summer."
On this spring compared to last spring…
"I feel that this spring we were better than last spring. It wasn't complicated, it was more mentally drawing up plays that was the toughest but physically going through the plays was connecting the dots for us. We picked up pretty quickly and executed day in and day out."
On defensive end Michael Clemons…
"He's showed leadership both vocally and by example. He is a guy open to honesty and will tell you when you're doing stuff wrong. He breaks it down for us in huddles to make sure everyone is on the same page.
Junior Offensive Lineman Ryan McCollum
On going up against Bobby Brown…
"It is a challenge. He comes every time. We go four plays on and four plays off so he gets his breather then he comes back full force. If you aren't going against him then you are going against Justin Madubuike, so there is not letting up any play. It makes you better."
On quarterback Kellen Mond…
"I think he is great, we are boys. We hang out outside of the football facility too. I think we have a good friendship outside of football and we just get along on the football field as well."
On difference between this time last year and this year…
"We made leaps and strides from where we were last year. Last year we were just focusing on learning the offense and what the calls were while the defense was figuring it out too. It kind of made it harder on us to figure out what was the right call to make when the defense was all moving around. This year we were just able to focus on situations, technique and just getting better personally since we already knew the offense."
On attitude heading into the rest of the offseason…
"Be great. We want to win a national championship; SEC championship; go undefeated. We want to be dominant in the SEC and be feared by our opponents."
Junior Linebacker Buddy Johnson
On Andre White…
"Andre White came in full force. He is a young guy, very strong. He is ready to learn. When I got here I had to look up to Tyrel [Dodson] and OT [Otaro Alaka]. They were the old guys and the leaders. Now I have to be the leader and give back to him. He is ready to learn, very smart and is picking up his plays fast. He has the physical ability."
On being a veteran and stepping into leader role…
"It is very different with OT [Otaro Alaka] and Tyrel [Dodson] leaving; they were the older guys and the leaders. Now it happens to be me and Aaron Hansford having to lead the linebacker group. It is a big change and big opportunity for me and us older guys. But it is something that has to be done if we are trying to get where we want to be."
On Aaron Hansford's transformation from tight end to linebacker…
"Playing offensive, being explosive and being able to run is the same thing as defense. Hansford just came over on defense and picked it up immediately. He played linebacker in high school and can run fast. He is as good as any linebacker that has played here."
Sophomore Quarterback Kellen Mond
On how the injuries to the wide receivers have impacted the team...
"With a lot of the receivers hurt, it's usually really hard to continue to build chemistry and then restart from square one. But I've definitely seen a lot of growth from some of the younger guys stepping up. You never know what could happen during the season, so they're definitely going to have to be ready."
On quarterback Zach Calzada's progress through spring training...
"I thought he's done a really good job. Obviously it's a complex playbook and something that's pretty difficult. So [with] the way he's able to manage it and continue to learn and continue to never be satisfied, I've been really impressed with him."
On how the tight ends have performed throughout the spring...
"We lost a really tight end, but we knew that somebody was going to have to step up. Whether it be Glenn Beal or Baylor Cupp. I felt like coming into the spring, both of them have done a really good job. But there's still a lot of work to do for them, just like everybody else. They're always going to work hard and they're never going to be satisfied."
On how the running backs have filled in for Trayveon Williams...
"Trayveon [Williams] was definitely a big part of our offense [by] rushing for 1,700 yards last year. Jashaun [Corbin] having a whole year behind Trayveon [Williams] and being able to learn was definitely a big thing. But with him hurt, obviously Jacob Kibodi stepped up really well today. Deneric Prince had a solid day, so I definitely feel like we've got a lot of good backs. No matter what, we're always going to have to have a good running game. So I felt like they've done a really good job this spring."
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