FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 28 | SERVING TEXAS A&M SINCE 1893 | © 2018 STUDENT MEDIA
TEXAS A&M VS ARKANSAS SATURDAY, SEPT. 29 @ 11 A.M. ESPN
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Junior Trayveon Williams rushed for 72 yards and a touchdown last year against Arkansas.
Southwest showdown Aggies prepare to face Arkansas in Arlington By Brian Bass @BrianBass4
Meredith Seaver — THE BATTALION
Redshirt senior Trevor Wood fills a vital role as a part of the tight end attack head coach Jimbo Fisher plans to utilize.t
A transfer’s dream Tight end Trevor Wood gains confidence in new role at A&M By Abigail Ochoa @AbigailOchoa88 In his first year as an Aggie, redshirt senior Trevor Wood has eased into his new role as the other half of the dynamic tight end duo alongside junior Jace Sternberger. Wood played at the University of Arizona before transferring to Texas A&M in May 2018. During his time as a Wildcat, Wood became a versatile player, seeing snaps as a tight end, defensive back and center. During Wood’s sophomore year in 2016, he racked up his best stats with
seven receptions and 49 receiving yards. His junior year didn’t receive the same amount of attention on the field. Wood only had two receptions and 14 receiving yards. Wood had the chance to change this lack of field play and transferred to A&M to play under head coach Jimbo Fisher. Early on, Fisher made it known that he intended to take better advantage of the tight end position than his predecessors had. “You definitely feel the love,” Wood said. “Coaching staff, players, I mean everybody; you can tell it’s a needed position and it’s a wanted position. It’s wonderful to fill that void.” With one game under his belt this season, Wood is redefining what it means to be a tight end in Fisher’s of-
fense, and building on the important role he plays with Sternberger. “I feel like I’m settling into my role pretty well,” Wood said. “I think we really compliment each other and so I have no problem. When he scores, I feel like I score.” Wood injured his ankle earlier this year during a scrimmage, and Fisher said his ability to recover quickly will ultimately improve the offensive play for future games. “[I’m] glad to get him healthy and we’ve got to get him going,” Fisher said. “We had a couple opportunities the other day, just didn’t get it to him and the ball ended up going to other places. But he can be a big part down the stretch for us,” Fisher said. WOOD ON PG. 2
The Southwest Classic has a completely different feel this year. Texas A&M and Arkansas are led by new head coaches with contrasting pedigrees. Arkansas head coach Chad Morris, an A&M graduate who was head coach at SMU from 2015 to 2017, took over the Arkansas program before bowl season last year. Morris took the Mustangs from a 2-10 record to 7-5 in just three seasons. However, Morris seems to be starting on an all-too-familiar note. Arkansas has started 1-3 (0-1 SEC), which includes scathing losses to North Texas and Auburn. The quarterback situation in Fayetteville has been the most notable problem. Morris went with sophomore quarterback Cole Kelley to start the season, but after Kelley
threw four picks in their 4417 loss to North Texas, junior quarterback Ty Storey was promoted to starter. Storey and Kelley have a combined six touchdown passes and seven interceptions this season. Along with current quarterback struggles, Arkansas’ offensive line has not been doing Kelley and Storey any favors. Left guard Hjalte Froholdt is the only anchor in their trenches, while as a unit, the line is struggling in pass protection. The Razorbacks rank 97th overall in total offense this season. The Aggies come into Saturday as the overwhelming favorite, and will look to extend their current winning streak against Arkansas to seven. Offensively, A&M has seen significant progress in the past month. Starting sophomore quarterback Kellen Mond is one of three Power 5 quarterbacks with seven passing touchdowns and four rushing touchdowns this season. “I have a lot of confidence FOOTBALL ON PG. 6
Fall Student Body Elections: Sample Ballot on Pg. 2
Voting for the 2018 Fall Elections close today at 12:00 p.m. Cast your vote at vote.tamu.edu. Results of the fall elections will be announced at the 12th Man Statue at the northeast corner of Kyle Field at 7 p.m.
Caring cakes Student bakers benefit local food bank through regular cupcake sales By Myranda Campanella @MyrandaCampane1 Texas A&M Cupcakes has officially started a new year of baking for fun and service. The nonprofit organization raises money for the Brazos Valley Food Bank and brings together students who love to bake. Since its establishment in 2012, the group has grown to include around 50 members. Biomedical sciences senior Jessenia Garcia has been a member of Texas A&M Cupcakes since her freshman year. “A lot of members that join love to bake, but they don’t know what to do with that,” Garcia said. “Having a cupcake club here at A&M is beneficial to those trying to find other people that share an interest.” On Sept. 26 Texas A&M cupcakes held a bake sale in the MSC that raised aproximately $275. The group holds bake sales on the first Friday of every month at downtown Bryan’s First Friday events. Interdisciplinary studies senior and Texas A&M Cupcakes secretary Kaylee Wyatt said her favorite part of participating is making someone’s day with a treat. “It’s a fun way to see us outside Texas A&M University,” Wyatt said. Garcia said Texas A&M Cupcakes beat their goal in 2017 and raised over $1,700 for the food bank. According to their website, six pounds of food is distributed for every dollar raised. Accounting junior and Texas A&M Cupcakes vice president Adyson Lange said her favorite service opportunity with the organization is volunteering with the Brazos Valley Food Bank’s Friday BackPack Program. CUPCAKES ON PG. 4
Jesse Everett — THE BATTALION
Math freshman Emma Flores and engineering freshman Taylor Coleman sell cupcakes to customers during a bake sale in the MSC.