Jimbo Fisher has message for his wide receivers after drop-filled loss to LSU

Jimbo Fisher was particularly displeased with his wide receivers after dropped passes cost them some big plays on Saturday.

Texas A&M fell to 8-4 after a disappointing loss against LSU in the final seconds of Ed Orgeron’s coaching career. After falling behind 17-7, the Aggies stormed back to take a 24-20 lead which disappeared in the final seconds of the 27-24 loss.

“We’ve just got to catch the ball,” Fisher said. “We’ve got to make plays on the ball. We had the opportunity to make some plays and we made some really good plays in the game. Had too many drops in some key situations too. Just got to focus and concentrate. Put your nose on the ball. No different than playing anywhere else. A ball is a ball.”

Texas A&M’s young quarterback Zach Calzada threw for 20 of 35 — accumulating 242 yards and three touchdowns. His top target this season has been tight end Jalen Wydermyer who has 515 yards and four scores on the year.

After losing starting QB Haynes King in the first game of the year, the Aggies’ passing game has taken a step back from last season. They averaged 208 passing yards per game during the regular season, which ranks 12th out of the 14 SEC programs.

Now, the Aggies enter bowl season without the momentum they were steadily building. CBS Sports projections have Jimbo Fisher leading his squad into the Citrus Bowl versus the Iowa Hawkeyes in one month’s time.

Jimbo Fisher credits Calzada

Despite the disappointment in his wideouts, Jimbo Fisher was pleased with his redshirt freshman QB. In his post-game press conference, Fisher assessed the play of Zach Calzada against LSU.

“Thought he battled, thought he competed. Made plays. Scrambled. Made some really big-time throws. I thought he played his tail off,” stated Fisher. “Some plays he’d have back, he missed some reads — yeah. Like the quarterbacks, most of them do in games.

“But thought he battled hard. Made some great plays in the game. Put us in the position to win the game .. had an opportunity to win the game.”

On3’s Stephen Samra contributed to this report.