Texas A&M quick hits: Aggies survive first half blunders as Aggies begin season with close win over Vanderbilt

COLLEGE STATION – Ainias Smith’s confidence on a punt return cost Texas A&M a safety in its season opener Saturday against Vanderbilt. The sophomore running back/returner fielded a Vanderbilt punt in his own end zone in the second quarter.

While he managed a return to the 10-yard line, Brian George was called for a blind-side block in the end zone.

The result was a safety for Vanderbilt. On the next Vanderbilt punt and after a chat with coach Jimbo Fisher on the sideline, Smith let the punt go into the end zone for a touchback, drawing a mock cheer from the Kyle Field crowd.

The special teams blunder wasn’t the only A&M mistake in the first half. Quarterback Kellen Mond’s arm was hit attempting a pass and recovered by Vanderbilt to end a 10-play Aggie drive. The play was not reviewed as a possible forward pass by SEC officials.

Sophomore receiver Caleb Chapman recorded his first touchdown on his third career catch early in the third quarter. Mond found him in the flat for a 17-yard score to complete a 75-yard drive.

A&M unveiled a uniform patch for Vanderbilt that will be worn by its teams this school year. The 21/4-inch black patch is emblazoned with the word: UNIFIED. A&M athletes, including Mond, have been vocal this summer about social justice concerns and the campus statue of former A&M president and Confederate general Lawrence Sullivan Ross.

Weatherford graduate Ken Seals started at quarterback for Vanderbilt, finishing 22 of 29 for 150 yards and a touchdown. He became just the third true freshman to start a season opener in the SEC since 1972.

The Aggies were minus junior Hezekiah Jones, expected to be in the receiver mix. He had a boot on his foot during pregame warmups.

Despite A&M’s inexperience at receiver, top receiver Demond Demas didn’t play. Coach Jimbo Fisher pointed to the closeness of the game and praised the way Demas has practiced.

“No, we had some other guys in there it was such a tight game in a critical situation,” Fisher said.

Freshman defensive back Jaylon Jones, redshirt freshman receiver Kam Brown and sophomore defensive back Erick Young each made their first starts. Jones finished with six tackles, while Young had two stops and Brown caught two passes for 26 yards.

Find more college sports stories from The Dallas Morning News here.