Seniors Texas A&M Aggies Reminisce On Time At Kyle Field In Win Over ACU

Sam Mathews, McKinnley Jackson and Ainias Smith remember their time at Kyle Field on Senior Day.

COLLEGE STATION -- Sam Mathews, Ainais Smith and McKinnley Jackson each took a different path to arrive at Texas A&M. That doesn't mean their stories ended in a similar fashion. 

Mathews, a walk-on from League City, had to spend a year at Blinn Junior College to enroll on the main campus. After that, he worked his way up the depth chart and into the peripherals of the coaching staff. 

Smith, a standout receiver from Sugar Land, was always destined to play somewhere in the SEC, but he had options. Ultimately, College Station was close to home for his family to visit, and the Aggies were in need of a sure-fire receiver across the middle. 

Jackson, a four-star defensive lineman from Lucedale, Miss., knew little of Texas before committing to the program. He was sold on what the message was on campus. 

The trio of seniors might not have seen their season go as planned. Few expect to watch their head coach be fired with two games remaining in the regular season. But they also made sure to leave the 98,000-plus fans with one final promising memory. 

"This week, we just kind of realized we have nothing to lose," said Smith following a 38-10 win over Abilene Christian on Senior Day. "We got the bowl game, which is great for us, great for the program... we had to make it fun. We didn't just want to go out there and be like [sluggish]. We could have given in, but shoutout to our team." 

Each player made at least one play that factored into A&M's final regular season home win. Smith, the vocal leader and one of the athletic program's more prominent faces, recorded an 18-yard catch in the first quarter to extend his consecutive catch streak to 38 games. 

Should Smith haul in one ball next week in the Aggies' season finale matchup against No. 15 LSU, he'll tie Christian Kirk for the all-time record. Smith finished with two catches for 20 yards. 

"I was just happy to see my dawgs go out there and eat," Smith said. "Today was senior day, it was supposed to be for the seniors and coach [Elijah Robinson] was like, 'We got to get you more touches.' I really didn't touch the ball a ton today... today was a day for the guys." 

Jackson notched three tackles in his final home, including a tackle for loss on Wildcats (5-6) running back Jay'Veon Sunday. Jackson, who officially declared this would be his final year with the program, mentioned the energy in practice came with a more relaxed feel under Robinson, who will serve as interim coach for the remainder of the season. 

"You never know when your time is up with this sport," he said. "You never know when the clock is going to tick for the last time in football. I try to leave it out there every day." 

Texas A&M Aggies head coach Jackie Sherrill and the 1983 "12th Man Kickoff" team honored at halftime at Kyle Field  / USA Today-Sports

Mathews, who was named this year's 12th Man representative, recorded the final tackle of the regular season at Kyle Field, along with two more stops. Mathews also led A&M's "12th Man kickoff," which consisted of all walk-ons, along with the placekicker. 

In 1983, under Jackie Sherrill, A&M opened the season against Cal with an all-walk-on kickoff team. Sherrill and the players from the roster were honored at halftime. 

"Me and the other walk-ons have a lifelong bond that not a lot of people share," said Mathews. "They put in the same work and don't get the same recognition, so I was blessed to be out there, lead them out on the field and just get the opportunity to watch them working their tail off their whole career to even get to play." 

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The Aggies (7-4, 4-3 SEC) will have a chance to bolster their resume for a better bowl bid next month when they take on the Tigers next Saturday in Baton Rouge. Behind closed doors, A&M athletic director Ross Bjork is at work trying to coax another coach away from their school to lead the 12th Man in 2024. 

Mathews, Smith and Jackson will be on to better things, but they believe in the program's future. More than anything, they're thankful for one final moment in their second home. 

"I think I excelled and made a great decision coming to this school for my life and my family's life, and for their families' lives. I feel like coming here has been the best decision not only for myself but for others."