Conner Weigman takes ownership for Week 1 struggles: 'There's no excuses for how I played'
Notre Dame and Texas A&M played a defensive fistfight in College Station, something most expected heading into the matchup. The difference wound up being the playmaking ability of Riley Leonard and the lack thereof from Conner Weigman, leaving the Aggies with a lot to be desired from their offense.
Weigman is not hiding from any of his struggles, owning his performance when speaking to the media on Monday. The same message was relayed to the entire Texas A&M locker room before stepping up to the microphone. Nobody has been more critical of Weigman than Weigman himself.
“I take it back to my baseball days,” Weigman said. “‘So what? Next pitch.’ That’s how I’ve approached any sport I play. Like I told my teammates this morning — point blank, period — I have to be better. I mean, there’s no excuses for how I played. Literally point blank, period, I’ve got to be better. That’s what I told them this morning.”
Weigman completed just 12 of 30 passes, having a completion percentage of 40. The 100 passing yards meant a not-so-great yard per attempt of 3.3 is on Weigman’s resume to start the 2024 season. Two interceptions certainly did not help either, leading to three Notre Dame points.
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It would be pretty easy for Weigman to lay low after the performance. No player is required to speak to the media and if Mike Elko wanted to hold him out, the head coach could. But Weigman believes facing the music after playing poorly is important and a part of the growing process.
“I don’t back down from anything,” Weigman said. “I’ll face it head-on. I’ll be the first one to tell you that I didn’t play the way I was supposed to play. Point blank, period, I’ve got to be better.”
Weigman will have a great opportunity to bounce back in Week 2. Texas A&M is set to face FCS program McNeese State, a presumed easy win for the Aggies. Definitely an easier opponent than what Notre Dame presented for Weigman and offensive coordinator Colin Klein’s unit.
Until then, the quarterback is making sure the blame is falling on his shoulders. A great sign of leadership coming out of College Station.