THURSDAY, AUGUST 30 | SERVING TEXAS A&M SINCE 1893 | © 2018 STUDENT MEDIA
TEXAS A&M VS NORTHWESTERN STATE THURSDAY, AUG. 30 @ 7:30 P.M. SEC NETWORK
THE
JIMBO IMBO ERA BEGINS CULLEN GILLASPIA
KELLEN MOND
Aggie football kicks off 2018 season led by Fisher and new coaching staff By Grant Spika @GrantSpika It’s safe to say that this year’s season opener has been a long time in the making. On December 1, 2017, Texas A&M grabbed the 2013 National Championship-winning coach from Florida State after firing former head coach Kevin Sumlin. The hire was arguably the most surprising coaching change in recent history as Jimbo Fisher had been at Florida State from 2007-2017.
TYREL DODSON
Now, as the Aggies take on Northwestern State and major SEC matchups loom in the distance, spectators may start to get an answer to the $75 million question — can Fisher get the results A&M is looking for? In addition to the Fisher hire, the offseason had no shortage of storylines for the Aggies. One main question was who was going to start under center for the Aggies, with sophomore Kellen Mond and redshirt sophomore Nick Starkel contending for the position. Both quarterbacks saw significant time on the field last season under Sumlin, but Mond was ultimately named starting quarterback by Fisher on Wednesday. However, by no means is the quarterback competition done.
TRAYVEON WILLIAMS
“We have a good relationship,” Mond said about Starkel. “I feel like we’ve bonded a little closer this year while we try to find that common goal. No matter who’s the starter or who’s playing, we both have to lead and make sure we’re at our best to help this team.” One of the most aggravating things for A&M fans while Sumlin was at the helm was his misuse of tight ends. Transfer tight end Jace Sternberger’s catch at the 2018 spring game led to one of that NWST ON PG. 2
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Reveille VIII’s funeral will be held Thursday on the north end of Kyle Field at 8:30 a.m. FILE
The First Ladies of Aggieland A look back at Texas A&M’s long line of canine mascots By Abigail Ochoa and Jordan Burnham @AbigailOchoa88 @RJordanBurnham Reveille VIII will be laid to rest beside her predecessors at the north end of Kyle Field Thursday morning, facing a personal scoreboard where the former mascots can always watch their Aggies win. The original Miss Rev first came to campus in January 1931. As the story goes, a group of cadets hit the small, black and white dog while driving and brought her to their dorm to take care of her. Though the cadets kept her hidden due to the school’s no-pet policy, the dog gained her name the next morning by barking during the buglers’ rendition of “Reveille.” She became Texas A&M’s official mascot the next year during football season. Reveille I died in 1944 and received a formal military funeral.
Eight years later, she was followed by Reveille II, a Shetland Sheepdog. It wasn’t until 1966 that Reveille III became the first Rough Collie to serve as A&M’s mascot, setting a trend that still continues today. Reveille is considered first lady of Aggieland and the highest ranking member of the Corps of Cadets, signified by the five silver diamonds she’s often seen wearing. The Corps Commander wears only four. While Reveille was initially allowed to roam free, this changed in 1960. Reveille can now be seen around campus with the Mascot Corporal, a position selected from a group of sophomore cadets in Company E-2. The Mascot Corporal and first lady live and attend class with each other. The funeral service for Reveille VIII will begin Thursday morning at 8:30 a.m. at The Zone Plaza at Kyle Field. For more information and photos of Reveille through the years, visit reveille.tamu.edu.
Sophomore Camron Buckley had 282 yards and three touchdowns on 17 receptions during the 2017 season.
Fisher introduces a new offense Players strive for success with new pro-style playbook By Jack Holmes @Jack_Holmes98 When the Aggie offense takes the field Thursday, it will have a fresh look fans have not seen in recent years. This is largely due to head coach Jimbo Fisher’s introduction of a new pro-style offense, resembling the ones used in the NFL. One noticeable change to the offense will be the tight-end position being utilized more in the passing and blocking scheme. It was reported Wednesday that sophomore Kellen Mond will get the start at quarterback for the Aggies. Even so, both he and redshirt sophomore Nick Starkel are expected to split the snaps on Thursday night. Fisher made it clear that
the decision is not set in stone for future games, and said not to read much into who starts the season opener. “Someone will have to start the game, but I am very confident in both guys,” Fisher said.“Quarterbacking is down to two things— decision making and accuracy…I feel very confident that both guys can go in and play winning football.” However, Fisher spoke highly of Mond at last week’s press conference, emphasizing his improved mechanics, accuracy and decision-making. Fisher said he was pleased with the quarterback’s improvement. Mond said the way he approaches the game mentally has also improved. “I would say [that I am] holding the ball a little bit higher so I can have a little bit quicker motion,” Mond said. “A lot of it wasn’t just
mechanics, a lot of it was the mental game. Reading and understanding defenses is one of the biggest reasons I’m having so much success this year.” Much of Fisher’s new offense will be centered around junior running back Trayveon Williams, who will lead a running back corps full of young talent. Williams said he’s looking to build on the 1,855 yards and 16 touchdowns he totaled over the past two seasons and he is excited about the addition of 12th Man Cullen Gillaspia at fullback. “The fullback is the guy that’s going to get in that hole before you,” Williams said. “You’ve got a guy like Cullen who’s excited about contact. He’s looking for it. He’s excited to go out there and block that guy. I’m excited to run behind him.” Williams has shown tremendous OFFENSE ON PG. 4