WATCH: Aggies QB Conner Weigman Throws First Touchdown Of 2023 Season

Conner Weigman picks things up where he left off on the opening drive for Texas A&M.

COLLEGE STATION -- Conner Weigman looked poised as he delivered strikes to Texas A&M receivers en route to a 38-23 upset win over No. 5 LSU last November in front of a packed Kyle Field. 

He picked up where he left off nearly 10 months later against New Mexico in front the same loud and proud home crowd. 

Weigman, who won the starting job over redshirt sophomore Max Johnson after a rigorous bout in both the spring and fall camp, kicked off the new season with a 15-yard pass to Noah Thomas to give the No. 23 Aggies a 7-0 over the Lobos. The former five-star recruit finished the drive 3-of-3 passing for 40 yards, while also tacking on another 17 as a runner. 

The Aggies were blessed with two penalties on their first drive. Lobos defensive back Noa Pola-Gates was flagged with a pass interference on senior Ainias Smith. Two plays later, Pola-Gates was flagged with a facemask call on a 4-yard reception to Evan Stewart. 

So smooth. 1️⃣5️⃣ → 3️⃣.

📺 ESPN pic.twitter.com/beKQGNXmXI

— Texas A&M Football (@AggieFootball) September 2, 2023

Weigman entered the spring as the favorite to win the starting job after leading the Aggies to a 2-2 record in four starts. He impressed out the gate in a 31-28 loss to No. 15 Ole Miss, throwing for 338 yards and four scores. 

A gunslinger from Bridgeland (Cypress) High School, Weigman finished his freshman campaign with 896 passing yards and eight touchdowns against zero interceptions. With new offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino entering the mix, sixth-year coach Jimbo Fisher made it an open competition between the two passers. 

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Petrino, who's worked with various styles of quarterbacks during his time at Arkansas and Louisville, was pleased with Weigman's ability to find targets while surveying the field. Senior defensive back Demani Richardson mentioned during Monday's press conference that both passers gave the secondary fits throughout spring and fall practice. 

"Conner does a good job making every throw from [every] angle... sidearm, just different throws and throws on the run," said Richardson. 

Johnson, who started 18 games at LSU between 2020-21, replaced initial 2021 and 2022 starter Haynes King after a 17-14 loss to Appalachian State in Week 2. He posted a 2-1 record with wins over then-No. 13 Miami and then-No. 10 Arkansas in the Southwest Classic before suffering a season-ending hand injury against Mississippi State. 

Fisher said he felt confident with either passer, but the decision to start Weigman was the right call entering the year. 

"[Conner] and Max both had great camps. They played very well," Fisher said Monday during his weekly press conference. "[It was] a very tough decision, but you have to make a decision. Both guys will be ready to play and can play, so I think we're blessed. And as we said last year, it takes multiple guys to get through a season. 

"When you have two quality guys like we have, it really makes a big difference." 

The Aggies will receive the ball to begin the second half.