Texas A&M defense smothers Auburn

COLLEGE STATION, Texas  – Texas A&M running back Le’Veon Moss threw up a few times Saturday afternoon while dealing with a stomach virus that ailed him most of the week. Time and again, though, he found ways to batter Auburn.

In many ways, Moss’ afternoon was emblematic of the Aggies’ performance in their SEC opener. It wasn’t pretty, and they often regurgitated their positive gains with penalties, missed field goals, a devastating interception and an inability to convert third downs.

Texas A&M had more than enough defense to persevere, though. Junior linebacker Taurean York and the Aggies limited Auburn to 177 total yards of offense to escape Kyle Field with a 16-10 victory and improve to 4-0 for the first time since 2016.

Third down shutout

The Aggies had five sacks and dominated while Auburn went 0-for-13 on third downs and 0-for-2 on fourth down. 

“We knew we had it in us,” York said of the defensive dominance. “We had some execution issues in the first three games. But we never really panicked or anything like that. We know we have good players. We know (if) we tighten up the scheme, we’re all 11 on the same page (and) we’re going to play lights out.

“Today, it’s great, man. We had a great third down, and they converted zero third downs. If you do that, you better win the game.”  

Texas A&M finished with 414 of yards on offense, 207 apiece in passing and rushing. Yet, they couldn’t find the end zone enough. Moss followed a 38-yard run with a one-yard touchdown run with 12:14 to play in the first quarter. Then, Texas A&M’s offense sputtered while failing to find the end zone again.

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Two weeks after stunning Notre Dame on the road with a dynamic offensive display and comeback, the Aggies proved they can win with elite defense. The crew that gave up 40 points against Notre Dame limited Auburn to 10 points. Seven of those were a result of a short touchdown run after giving up a 73-yard interception return late in the fourth quarter.

The Aggies won despite missing two field goals and committing 13 penalties for 119 yards. They also converted only three of their 14 third downs.

‘Too many penalties’

“We just created too many penalties,” Texas A&M coach Mike Elko said. “It’s got to get fixed. You know, it’s way too many penalties that kill drives. It’s way too many penalties that set us behind the sticks. 

“If you put that together with not being able to convert third downs, that’s how you have 414 yards and not nearly enough points for what 414 yards should get you. And then our special teams, we have to get cleaned up immensely. Too many penalties; too many bad kicks.”

Defense calls game‼️#GigEm | #BTHOauburn | 📺ESPN pic.twitter.com/2BNQzbImVV

— Texas A&M Football (@AggieFootball) September 27, 2025

With that said, Elko and the No. 9 ranked Aggies are pleased to be undefeated. The defense stifled Auburn all afternoon before an appreciative sellout crowd of 108,449.

With the game on the line late, the Aggies had crucial sacks to derail Auburn’s third to last and last drives. York tripped Auburn quarterback Jackson Arnold for a sack on first down of the Tigers’ third to last  possession. Two downs later, Cashius Howell sacked Arnold on Auburn’s 9-yard line to force a punt.

The Aggies countered right away with a scoring drive, but they had to settle for a field goal instead of a touchdown because of a penalty call. Marcel Reed’s 22-yard touchdown pass to Mario Craver was called back because of an illegal procedure penalty with 2.56 to play. Two plays later, Randy Bond kicked a 44-yard field goal to cap the scoring.

Texas A&M’s defense forced another three-and-out, but the Aggies’ offense had one final three-and-out to give Auburn’s offense one last chance with 1:59 left on the clock.

Arnold started the drive with a five-yard pass. Then he threw a four-yard pass to Cam Coleman, the star sophomore receiver the Aggies shut down all day. After an incompletion on third-and-1, defensive lineman Dayon Hayes had a game-sealing sack as two other Aggies descended on Arnold as well at Auburn’s 25-yard line.

Moss confident

“I wasn’t really nervous,” Moss said. “I got faith in my defense. When they step on the field, I  believe they’re going to make stops.”

Texas A&M’s defense made stops all afternoon. The offense sputtered, however. Moss led the way with a game-high 139 rushing yards and a touchdown on 21 carries. KC Concepcion added seven catches for a game-high 113 receiving yards.

As has been the case all season, though, Concepcion played well enough to have had more receiving yards if quarterback Marcel Reed could deliver the long ball.

Against Notre Dame, the Aggies’ defense struggled on a night the offense exploded for 41 points and an epic comeback. Two weeks later, the defense carried the Aggies against Auburn as the offense struggled.

“Yeah, we won two games without playing our best football, right?” Elko said. “And that’s a testament to character, culture and just grinding out wins. Again, that won’t last forever. That’s not  lost on me. 

“But I do think when you go find different ways to win — you know, one game you throw the ball, one game you run the ball, one game you win on offense, one game you win on defense – it gives you an  opportunity to go out and win and sustain success over long periods of time. And again, our defensive kids stood up today and made an awful lot of stops and helped us go out there and win a football game.”