By Ernie Gonzalez (@superego1012):
Back on August 26 when the Spartans opened up the season against South Florida, quarterback Montel Aaron checked into the game down 21 to start the fourth quarter.
A couple snaps into his first drive, Aaron was forced out of the pocket and fumbled the football on his way to the ground.
The play was later reviewed and overturned, a possession which ultimately lead to a 22-yard Aaron to Justin Holmes touchdown.
After that game, head coach Brent Brennan said he didn’t see enough of Aaron to be impressed, saying he was put in a much different situation that starter Josh Love.
True. Last week against Cal Poly, Aaron checked in at the start of the second quarter down 6-0 after Love failed to lead the offense to a point-ending drive in the first quarter.
Aaron was nothing short of sensational, immediately hitting his receivers in stride, moving the chains and pumping the pace on offense.
Probably the most impressive thing from Aaron so far this year is his inability to panic under pressure. He takes care of the football, puts it only where his receivers can catch it and keeps his eyes downfield, all of which he put on display this past Saturday.
There was one play in the second quarter against the Mustangs that probably validated Aaron as the starting QB.
The Spartans were at the Poly 18-yard line. With a bad snap, Aaron lost the football. But he was poised.
He picked it up, turned his head toward the corner of the end zone, and delivered a flawless, spot-on pass to Tre Harley’s chest mid-jump off his back foot, putting the Spartans up 14-6.
Aaron and his offense never looked back, as they went on to cruise to a 34-13 victory over the Mustangs. The redshirt Freshman finished with 183 yards on 11/17 passing, 3TDs and no turnovers.
Let’s just hope Brennan is on the same boat and agrees that the Spartans’ best shot at upsetting the Longhorns next week will be with Aaron behind center.