COLLEGE STATION — A big fourth quarter lifted the Aggies over Ole Miss and ended their two-game losing skid. The Aggies will now begin preparations for Saturday's game against No. 25 UAB. Jimbo Fisher and select A&M players met with the media on Monday afternoon to reflect on the Ole Miss win and preview UAB.

Here are some key takeaways from the availability.

Aggies not overlooking newly-ranked UAB

After their football program was canceled in 2014, the UAB program was brought back in 2017. Despite losing most of their key players and two recruiting cycles after the program was shut down, the Blazers have made quite a rebirth. The Blazers won eight games last season and are currently 9-1. Texas A&M tight end Jace Sternberger said that the team’s cancellation has them playing with a chip on their shoulder.

“When you have your program taken away from you and then you get it back, no one’s going to go out there and just play nice,” Sternberger said. “They want to make a statement and prove that they should have their program.”

Saturday’s game, which may have at one time looked like a pushover, has proven to be a big game and the Aggies made it clear that they’re not overlooking it with a matchup against LSU on the horizon.

“Listen this is a great football team in UAB, they can flat out play,” Fisher said. “This team right here is in the Top 25 and they’re just like another SEC football team. This is a great team.”  

Return of Jhamon Ausbon taking pressure off of other units

Jhamon Ausbon took the field on Saturday for the first time since suffering a foot injury playing against Arkansas on Sept. 29. The wideout had five catches for 66 yards in his first game back and created separation for Kellen Mond.

“He went out there and made the big plays. On that drive right before the half, we were able to get the ball to him in some different looks,” Fisher said. “That’s a huge lift for us because it allows us to have versatility.”

Ausbon’s return also opened up looks for tight end Jace Sternberger who had four receptions for 76 yards. Tight end Trevor Wood says that Ausbon’s impact catalyzes the A&M offense as it opens up other receivers and holes for Trayveon Williams.

“When a threat like that comes back and starts opening things up that means they have to back people out of the run box and that just opens up more lanes and allows us to open up our playbook," Wood said. 

Seniors reflect on their time in the program

Saturday’s game will be a special day for several Aggies as it will also be Senior Night. The majority of the A&M losses will be on the defensive side of the ball, with key losses including defensive end Landis Durham, defensive tackle Daylon Mack, linebacker Otaro Alaka and safety Donovan Wilson.

“My coaches make sure that I know that I don’t have that many [games] left,” Mack said. “I have a feeling that today they are going to tell me that I only have two more Monday practices left. It’s very hard to believe it, it came quick.”

Senior fullback Cullen Gillaspia got a little bit emotional when discussing his time at Texas A&M. The 12th Man reflected on the last five years at the university and getting to serve as a leader of the student body.

“I can’t thank this university, the people that are involved with it, my friends, family and most of all the students for supporting me,” Gillaspia said. “It’s been a hell of a ride and I can’t thank everyone enough.”