No. 6 Texas A&M opens season against FCS team Sam Houston

By The Associated Press

Sam Houston (0-0) at No. 6 Texas A&M (0-0), Saturday, noon ET (SEC)

Line: No line, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.

Series record: Texas A&M leads 12-0

WHAT’S AT STAKE?

Texas A&M looks to open the season strong and remain undefeated in the series against Sam Houston. The Aggies will try and improve to 16-2 in home openers with a win Saturday. The Bearkats, who won the FCS national title in 2020, are playing their last season as an FCS team as they transition to FBS beginning next season.

KEY MATCHUP

Texas A&M’s secondary vs. Sam Houston’s QB. Sam Houston coach K.C. Keeler hasn’t announced whether Keegan Shoemaker and Jordan Yates will start at QB. But whoever gets the nod will face a secondary that is expected to be among the nation’s best.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Sam Houston: DL Markel Perry was named the preseason WAC defensive player of the year after leading the WAC last season with 15 tackles for losses. He also had five sacks and 40 tackles last year.

Texas A&M: QB Haynes King was named starter this week after beating out two others for the job during camp. King won the job last year and threw for 292 yards and two touchdowns in Texas A&M’s season-opening 41-10 win over Kent State. But he broke his leg in the first quarter of the team’s second game against Colorado and missed the remainder of the season.

FACTS & FIGURES

These teams last met in 2013 when A&M got a 65-28 victory. … Saturday will be Sam Houston’s first game against an FBS team since losing to New Mexico to open the 2019 season. … Texas A&M receiver Ainias Smith has at least one reception in 23 straight games. … Sam Houston has three wins over FBS teams in school history. … The Aggies are 24-0 under coach Jimbo Fisher when leading after the first quarter.

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