Two Takes: Miami Week Press Conference

Fresh off a 42-point win in the season opener, Texas A&M begins preparations for a crucial non-conference road tilt at Miami on Saturday (2:30 p.m., ABC). On Monday, Jimbo Fisher and select players visited with the media about the win over the Lobos and the challenge ahead at Hard Rock Stadium.

We've got “two takes” from each of the media sessions below, along with full press conference video.

First, a summary of Coach Fisher's opening statement regarding the win over New Mexico: “It was great to get out and get a different opponent, instead of playing each other each and every day. I thought our kids did a nice job in the game. There's things we have to improve on all three phases, but overall, I was really impressed with our special teams. Our coverage teams did a really good job. We kicked the ball well, and on our kickoff and punt teams our coverage had great lane discipline, tackled well in space, converged on things, won field position there...overall I liked the effort, the tenacity, the way the guys played on special teams...Defense, we did a great job of taking the air out of runs. We fit well, tackled well, kept leverage on the football...we covered well...we judged the ball well, got an interception, got good pressure...Offense, we did a nice job. The offensive line did a really nice job. We had time to throw the ball, we had clean pockets. We could drive the ball down the field and give us a lot of space to be able to do the things you want to do...I thought Conner did an excellent job of buying time, you know, stepping one or two little steps away by just a couple of feet to be able to get the ball out. His hands were really good. He was still accurate with the ball and got the ball to playmakers, because you've got to be able to play under under pressure and when blitzes come...Running game, we did a nice job up front. Did a good job on short yardage and goal line situations getting hats on hats. Our health and our maturity and our experienced leadership up front is really starting to pay off...Receivers were excellent. The game got open, create space, caught the ball, had YAC yards, made contested catches, and the backs I thought ran well downhill, got in holes, caught the ball, pass protected. But there's still things we've got to get better on. We've got to continue to grow in what we do and keep executing, we've got a really good opponent coming this week.”

Two Takes: Jimbo Fisher

• Miami rushed for 250 yards and three touchdowns in its season-opening win last week, and Fisher was asked if he thought his team has taken the necessary steps to slow that attack down. “We'll find out. I know our defense and I like the way we're playing. We've got good guys up front, good physicality. But that's a different opponent. Miami's a very good opponent and they know how to run it. Mario (Cristobal) is a line coach himself. He's going to have those guys ready to run it, and your guys still have got to play the play action passes and the things are always going to come off those things. So it's going to be a great challenge. Their back is very good...The line is big, they're really big up front, physical...It'll be a physical game inside right there. So we're going to have to win those battles...But they're still going to throw the football. Their quarterbacks are really good players, so you can't leave your guys in one on ones all day. So it's going to be a great challenge.”
• Fisher was asked about the selflessness of a very talented wide receiver room, and he said that is exactly what you want as a team. “This room here is one of the first ones we've had where across the board it's a game of matchups...and that's what we're allowing it to do. Now you play can the matchups...you've got to be able to do that. And they know if that guy's going to get his, guess what? It's going to come back over here, because people aren't going to sit there and just let you just keep catching balls and balls and balls. Next game, they're going to plan for it. And that's why you've got to have those guys. I tell our guys, be patient. It's a whole season. It's all going to come around."

Two Takes: Josh DeBerry

• A transfer from Boston College, DeBerry was asked about his first Kyle Field experience. "Yeah, I'd heard about it, but there's nothing really like it. When they played the music, and then I'm running out the tunnel, and I'm seeing the tunnel and everything and I'm seeing the fans. It was definitely a moment that I will never forget. For me, it's just seeing all the fans. I was kind of like, take everything in. At the same time, I'm trying to get ready to play a game. So I was a little bit on the fan side. It was a great experience, a surreal moment for me that I will never forget. And I look forward to having a couple more opportunities to play in front of these fans."
• So, how about getting an interception in your first game in a new uniform? ""It was that first surreal moment, something I've been thinking about ever since I've entered the transfer portal. My first big play being wherever, whatever it may be, wherever I end up. It happened to be my first interception here. It was actually a great experience for me. I had a celebration planned, but it all kind of went out the window when I got the interception. Fans went crazy. My mind was kind of going crazy. So that was a great experience, a great moment for me."

Two Takes: Sam Mathews

• In his first media session since being named the 12th Man, Mathews described the moment he found out he'd be wearing the No.12 jersey. “I remember it being a team meeting. The whole team was there, and (Coach Fisher) went through his normal Tuesday practice, just motivating us, telling us what the game plan is. And, he said he had another announcement. We've got to name a 12th Man. And right there my heart started beating a little bit. I've worked hard to put myself hopefully on that list. So, you know, obviously the opportunity was there. And he read through the whole history of the 12th Man going back as far as you can go. Once he said Sam Mathews, it was a surreal moment. Everybody in the room went crazy. It was breathtaking. I can't really explain it in words. I just wanted to stand, maybe call my mom, call the family. But it was great being there to celebrate with my teammates.”
• Mathews, who's been a key contributor on special teams in his Aggie career, was asked his favorite moment from the first game as the 12th Man. “Definitely leading the team on the field. Watching every A&M game growing up, that's been the most electric part of every game. At the very beginning, the music's loud, smoke's coming out, everybody comes out and the crowd is electric. It roars unlike anything I've ever heard. Being able to carry that flag and kind of personify the spirit of the 12th Man on the field…I wanted to engage with (the fans) any chance I got, whether it's running down on kickoff and trying to get them pumped up, or waving the flag in front of the student section right after I ran out. It was all so surreal.”

Two Takes: Shemar Stewart

• Growing up basically in the shadow of Hard Rock Stadium, in Miami Gardens, Stewart was asked why Texas A&M. “Mainly because the coaches and the staff. They treated me like family and they never lied to me and my family.”
• Stewart was asked if there's an increased emphasis on run defense due to Miami's strength in running the football. ""We put a big emphasis on stopping the run this year, no matter who we play. We're just trying to dominate whoever we play in the run game, trying to dominate up front...But Miami, they're really strong up front, so it's going to be a real good challenge this week."