Haynes King delivers Aggies touchdown after coming in for injured Max Johnson

After Texas A&M starting quarterback Max Johnson left the game during a drive in the fourth quarter, Haynes King came in and delivered a touchdown. Johnson appeared to hurt his thumb on his throwing hand, and left to the sidelines in pain after trying to continue the drive. King came in for Johnson and continued the fourth-quarter drive — delivering a touchdown on a fourth-down scramble and cutting the Mississippi State lead down to 11.

Haynes King scores a touchdown after entering the game

While King was leading the Aggies offense on the field, Johnson was caught by the broadcast trying everything possible to come back into the game. Initially, Johnson entered the injury tent and emerged with his left thumb taped up before attempting some throws to warm up. After throwing a few passes, Johnson had the medical staff remove the tape as it was affecting his throwing and continued his warmup.

Johnson then re-entered the tent and had his thumb taped up again — and remained in the injury tent for an extended period of time while the defense was on the field.

Although the game was quickly pushed out of reach on the Bulldogs next drive — scoring a 75-yard touchdown on the first play — King remained in the game for the Aggies as Johnson put a brace over his hand and the broadcast team reported his day was over.

King’s time in relief quickly hit a roadblock on the very next drive unfortunately, as he threw two-straight interceptions to Emmanuel Forbes including a pick-six — who earlier blocked a field goal returned for a touchdown. With Johnson’s immediate health in question, the Aggies will now face new quarterback decisions with King as the potential starter.