Jimbo Fisher sounds off on missed opportunities in Ole Miss loss

Texas A&M coach Jimbo Fisher had plenty to say on Monday about missed opportunities against Ole Miss. He pointed to one in particular during the fourth quarter: that questionable interception call.

In the fourth quarter, Zach Calzada threw a pass intended for Demond Demas. But it was a little high and went through Demas’ hands, but he and Ashanti Cistrunk fought for it and it looked like a fumble. It was ruled an interception and Ole Miss scored on the ensuing drive.

Fisher acknowledged the throw was high, but it was catchable. He also said it was just one of the missed opportunities for the Aggies in the game.

“I think he should’ve and I think the ball should’ve been lower,” Fisher said when asked if Demas should’ve caught the ball. “Now, here’s my question on that. If both guys catch the ball, isn’t it the offensive guy’s? Both guys got the ball. How is that a pick? They both come up with the ball. That’s the other part I’m waiting to find out. … But you got to make plays.

“There’s a ball in the first half right there on Ainias [Smith]. He [came] off, ‘I should’ve had that ball on that over.’ It’s right there on the tips. That’s those inches I talk about. You’re an inch here and an inch there. In games like this, that’s where you’re at and what you’re fighting for. We had plenty of opportunities in the game.”

Texas A&M was down 15-13 when that pass went through Demas’ hands, which is what made it that much more significant. Ole Miss eventually won 29-19, handing the Aggies their third loss of the season.

Jimbo Fisher plans to use Florida’s close call vs. Samford as example

Texas A&M has a matchup with Prairie View A&M this week for its final home game. Fisher saw what happened to Florida on Saturday and is making sure his players know it can happen to them, too.

“It’s an example I’m using today,” Fisher told reporters Monday. “This team’s [7-3] and playing a very good Prairie View [team]. I’m telling them, ‘Prairie View’s a very good team.’ Their coaches … have been together on two national championships at Arkansas Pine Bluff and Southern. They [won] one at Southern when I was at LSU … these guys know how to win.

“They built a great program. You watch how they’re coached, they’re coached very well, they play very well, they’re 7-2. I know they lost last week, but they do a really good job and you’ve got to play every week. Remember [Appalachian] State and Michigan? You remember them all. You’ve got to play all the time anywhere.”

Florida trailed Samford 42-35 at halftime before pulling out the 70-52 victory last week. Texas A&M will try to avoid that type of scare this Saturday when it welcomes Prairie View for a noon ET kickoff.