Jimbo Fisher knows the challenge in defending Appalachian State, jokes on how to stop them

Appalachian State participated in the highest-scoring game of Week 1. A 63-61 barnburner where App State narrowly fell to North Carolina at home. Now, their dynamite offense will face a real test in Texas A&M. But the test is equally hard for the Aggies defense after what the Mountaineers did in the fourth quarter of the loss vs. Carolina. A&M head coach Jimbo Fisher was asked about App State’s passing game at his press conference this week, and praised it at length. But not before noting that the running game is also very dangerous.

“They run the heck out of it now. They run that stretch play. That wide stretch play as good as anybody, man,” Fisher said. Then he was asked how exactly the Aggies plan to stop the Mountaineer’s passing attack. To which he responded with a joke.

“I guess if we get 12 or 13 guys, at least having a couple extra guys.”

Comedic comments aside, here was his real answer:

“No, I mean, we got to play well up front, stay disciplined in your gaps. You can’t get cut off on the backside of those stretches. Got to to play your gaps on the front side, how your fits are. But you got to keep great eye violation because they play action off of it very well. And they boot, they naked, they throw. Great shot team. They get the ball down the field on shot plays because you have to respect the run. And again, that’s why now, at this point, we didn’t get to run. When you get that running game going, it opens up so many different avenues of your offense. And they do a great job.

Jimbo Fisher finished his comments by praising the talents of experienced starter Chase Brice.

“The quarterback’s athletic. Bryce has been around six years. Played at Clemson, played at Duke. Been at different places. And he knows ball and he played great there last year. Can throw the ball down the field, can create plays with his leg, and he’s got a savviness to him man. He has good body language. Can slip and throw the ball here and flip the ball there. And I mean, just he can really play the game. And they got really good skill guys, so it’s going to be a challenge”