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Does Texas A&M Have a Kicker Problem?

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Does Texas A&M Have a Kicker Problem?


Texas A&M completed the largest comeback in program history after storming back from 27 points down to miraculously pull off a 31–30 victory.

But before the celebration, the Aggies dug themselves into that deep hole, and it wasn’t just turnovers and flat-out bad football. One of the biggest reasons Mike Elko’s squad fell behind was the rough afternoon from its starting kicker, Randy Bond.

Bond, a graduate student, missed a 45-yard field goal that would have cut the deficit to 10–6. To make matters worse, he later pushed a freebie 24-yard field goal that kept South Carolina ahead by 17 points. That attempt came immediately after a Dalton Brooks interception that breathed life back into the Aggies. In one kick, that momentum evaporated.

Texas A&M Aggies place kicker Randy Bond

Texas A&M Aggies place kicker Randy Bond reacts after missing a field goal against the Southern California Trojans / Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Bond has been notorious for struggling in the 40 to 49 yard field goal window. Across his four years as a starter, he is 18 for 31 from that distance, a 58 percent clip. Before today, he was 4 for 6 in that range. Make that 4 for 7 after today.

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To put that into perspective, a 58-percent probability is technically “likely,” but it is barely better than a coin toss. Here are a few things more likely to happen than Bond hitting from the 40-49 yard range.

The inconsistency has been there throughout his career. In 2023, he went 26 for 36, including six misses from that infamous 40 to 49 yard range.

He followed that with an impressive bounce-back year in 2024, making 20 of 24 attempts. He went 7 for 9 from the 40 to 49 range, which suggested he may have finally erased that weakness.

But in 2025, the issue has resurfaced, and this time it has spread beyond the long-range kicks. Bond has attempted 15 field goals and has made only 10 of them, a 66.7 percent mark.

At the beginning of the season, Elko announced that Georgia transfer Jared Zirkel would be the starter. Elko even said Zirkel had been “phenomenal” throughout the offseason and won the kicking job “by a wide margin.”

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After Zirkel suffered an injury, Bond reclaimed the starting duties.

Whether it was a confidence hit after losing the job or just a continuation of an old flaw, the struggles have been apparent since his first start of the season against Notre Dame. Bond missed a 52-yard field goal that would have extended the halftime lead to 7. The trend continued against Auburn, where he missed two kicks on back-to-back drives, then another 40-yard attempt against Florida, and now two costly misses against South Carolina that made an already difficult comeback even harder.

But hey, on the bright side, if he hadn’t missed those two, the Aggies wouldn’t have pulled off the biggest comeback in school history.

Texas A&M Aggies kicker Randy Bond

Texas A&M Aggies kicker Randy Bond (47) kicks the ball during the first half against the Florida Gators at Kyle Field. / Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images
Texas A&M Aggies place kicker Jared Zirkel.

Texas A&M Aggies place kicker Jared Zirkel (99) kicks the ball in the second quarter against the LSU Tigers. The Aggies defeated the Tigers 38-23; at Kyle Field. / Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images



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Trump says he hasn’t decided endorsement in Texas Senate race

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Trump says he hasn’t decided endorsement in Texas Senate race


President Trump is not ready to weigh in on the Republican Senate primary in Texas as early voting gets underway across the state.

Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One late Monday that the GOP race had “a ways to go,” and signaled he was not yet ready to throw his support behind incumbent Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) or challengers Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) and Rep. Wesley Hunt (R-Texas).

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“I just haven’t made a decision on that race yet. It’s got a ways to go, and I haven’t,” Trump said when asked about his potential endorsement plans.

“I like all three of them, actually. Those are the toughest races. They’ve all supported me. They’re all good. You’re supposed to pick one, so we’ll see what happens. But I support all three,” the president added.

Trump indicated earlier this month that he was “taking a serious look” at endorsing in the race, pledging a decision soon.  

“You know, my problem is I’m friendly with all of them. I like all of them, all three,” he said at the time. “But you’ll be seeing soon,” he added. “They say whoever I endorse wins. That’s probably right.” 

Trump also said aboard Air Force One in April that he would determine a potential endorsement in the GOP primary “at the right time.”

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Cornyn is seeking the nomination for a fifth term in Washington in a closely watched, bitter primary that has attracted millions of dollars.

Early voting starts Tuesday across the Lone Star State and runs through Feb. 27, with the election to be held on March 3. If no candidate wins a majority of the vote, the top two vote-getters will advance to a May 26 runoff.

A runoff appears likely as recent polling suggests a tight three-way race. Paxton led with 31.9 percent of the vote as of Feb. 11, according to Decision Desk HQ’s polling averages, followed by Cornyn at 27.7 percent and Hunt at 19.3 percent.

A competitive primary also awaits on the Democratic side, where Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas) is facing off against Texas state Rep. James Talarico (D).

The nonpartisan Cook Political Report rates the seat as likely Republican.

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Daring rescue after researcher hurt deep underground in Texas cave

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Daring rescue after researcher hurt deep underground in Texas cave


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Rescue crews in West Texas spent hours getting a researcher out of a cave, hundreds of feet below ground, after a rock hit her in the head. Teams had to navigate steep drops and squeeze through crevices to get her to safety. NBC News’ Ryan Chandler reports.

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Walk for Peace monks return to Texas, reflection event planned

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Walk for Peace monks return to Texas, reflection event planned


After an arduous 112-day journey spanning more than 2,300 miles, a group of Buddhist monks has officially completed their cross-country “Walk for Peace.” The trek, which began in October, reached its heartfelt conclusion over the weekend as the monks returned to their home temple in Texas.

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The mission of the walk was to foster a sense of national unity and global harmony. Upon their arrival, the monks were greeted by a dedicated community of volunteers and supporters eager to hear the spiritual lessons and insights gathered from their four-month journey across the American landscape. Local residents expressed a deep “obsession” with the mission, describing the peaceful demonstration as a vital movement for the country’s current social climate.

The homecoming also featured a special appearance by Aloka, the monks’ famous four-legged companion. The dog had been sidelined several weeks ago for surgery, but after a successful recovery, he was able to join the group for the final, celebratory moments of the walk. 

While the physical miles are behind them, the monks maintain that their work to bridge divides across the world is a continuous, lifelong commitment. Venerable Bhikku Pannakara, who led the walk, made a vow to the public during a homecoming speech on Saturday.

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“I promise you all that whenever it is, you will be able to walk on this path, I will walk with you all, and together we will walk on this path. If you don’t leave me, I will not leave you,” he told supporters who gathered in the pouring rain to welcome the monks home. 

The monks have invited volunteers and the public to join them for a reflection on their journey and a special announcement at 9 p.m. Monday at the Hương Đạo Vipassana Bhavana Center in Fort Worth. A New Year lunar celebration will follow.

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How to follow the monks

For those who are unable to attend any gatherings in person, the monks are very active on social media, livestreaming and posting multiple times per day.

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Their dog, Aloka, who is also making the journey with the monks also has his own social media accounts.

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