Freshman quarterback Conner Weigman made his first career start in last week's loss to Ole Miss. (Photo: Daniel Dunn/USA TODAY SPORTS)
The Other Side: Gators Set to Face Aggies Freshman QB Weigman
Wednesday, November 2, 2022 | Football, Scott Carter
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The good news for the Gators is that when they play at Texas A&M on Saturday, they won't have to face Aggies quarterback Max Johnson.
That didn't work out too well the past two seasons.
You may recall Johnson, the left-handed son of former Florida State/Tampa Bay Bucs quarterback Brad Johnson, as LSU's quarterback the past two seasons in wins over the Gators.
Johnson passed for 239 yards and three touchdowns in LSU's 37-34 win at Florida Field two years ago, and in Baton Rouge last season, Johnson threw for 133 yards and three scores when the Tigers weren't churning out yards on the ground in LSU's 49-42 victory.
Johnson transferred to Texas A&M in the offseason and lost a quarterback battle to Haynes King in preseason camp. However, after King struggled in the Aggies' loss to Appalachian State, Johnson took over as the starter and led A&M to wins over Miami and Arkansas.
However, Johnson suffered a broken bone in his throwing hand in a loss to Mississippi State last month and King returned to action. The story took another turn recently.
With Texas A&M's season spiraling down the drain, Aggies head coach Jimbo Fisher turned to true freshman Conner Weigman in the fourth quarter of a loss at South Carolina on Oct. 22. Weigman made his first career start last week against Ole Miss, finishing 28 of 44 for 338 yards and four touchdowns in Texas A&M's 31-28 loss.
Weigman's promotion marked the first time in 20 years that the Aggies have had three different starting quarterbacks in the regular season. Meanwhile, Texas A&M has lost four consecutive games for the first time since 2005. Fisher turned to Weigman to help turn the season around.
A top prospect out of Bridgeland High in Cypress, Texas, Weigman's performance against the Rebels lifted spirits in College Station that better days may be ahead.
Fisher discussed the approach with Weigman on Wednesday during the SEC media teleconference.
"From the beginning of the year, to practices, I said he wasn't playing,'' Fisher said. "We talked about that with him. We said, 'listen, treat yourself as if you're a starter, be ready for the time it comes, prepare to play don't wait to play.' And, that's what he did.
"He got better every week. You saw it in practice, you saw the reads become consistent, the throws just come there, the knowledge and dominance, he's done a great job at that and then, of course, when he got his opportunity he did really well."
The Aggies (3-5, 1-4) host the Gators (4-4, 1-4) on Saturday at Kyle Field in need of three wins in their final four games to become bowl eligible.
That didn't work out too well the past two seasons.
You may recall Johnson, the left-handed son of former Florida State/Tampa Bay Bucs quarterback Brad Johnson, as LSU's quarterback the past two seasons in wins over the Gators.
Johnson passed for 239 yards and three touchdowns in LSU's 37-34 win at Florida Field two years ago, and in Baton Rouge last season, Johnson threw for 133 yards and three scores when the Tigers weren't churning out yards on the ground in LSU's 49-42 victory.
Play for each other.
— Florida Gators Football (@GatorsFB) October 31, 2022
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Johnson transferred to Texas A&M in the offseason and lost a quarterback battle to Haynes King in preseason camp. However, after King struggled in the Aggies' loss to Appalachian State, Johnson took over as the starter and led A&M to wins over Miami and Arkansas.
However, Johnson suffered a broken bone in his throwing hand in a loss to Mississippi State last month and King returned to action. The story took another turn recently.
With Texas A&M's season spiraling down the drain, Aggies head coach Jimbo Fisher turned to true freshman Conner Weigman in the fourth quarter of a loss at South Carolina on Oct. 22. Weigman made his first career start last week against Ole Miss, finishing 28 of 44 for 338 yards and four touchdowns in Texas A&M's 31-28 loss.
Weigman's promotion marked the first time in 20 years that the Aggies have had three different starting quarterbacks in the regular season. Meanwhile, Texas A&M has lost four consecutive games for the first time since 2005. Fisher turned to Weigman to help turn the season around.
A top prospect out of Bridgeland High in Cypress, Texas, Weigman's performance against the Rebels lifted spirits in College Station that better days may be ahead.
Fisher discussed the approach with Weigman on Wednesday during the SEC media teleconference.
"From the beginning of the year, to practices, I said he wasn't playing,'' Fisher said. "We talked about that with him. We said, 'listen, treat yourself as if you're a starter, be ready for the time it comes, prepare to play don't wait to play.' And, that's what he did.
"He got better every week. You saw it in practice, you saw the reads become consistent, the throws just come there, the knowledge and dominance, he's done a great job at that and then, of course, when he got his opportunity he did really well."
The Aggies (3-5, 1-4) host the Gators (4-4, 1-4) on Saturday at Kyle Field in need of three wins in their final four games to become bowl eligible.
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