Texas A&M smothers Missouri State, flexes depth

COLLEGE STATION, Texas – Texas A&M quarterback Marcel Reed arrived at Kyle Field on Saturday hoping to put at least 50 points on the scoreboard. The Aggies definitely lit up the scoreboard against and overmatched Missouri State, but the best sign may have been on the other side of the ball for Mike Elko’s crew.

On a night that A&M’s rebuilt offensive line struggled early, the defense was nothing short of dominant while posting a 50–0 rout before a crowd of 107,782.

“You talk about what we want the standard of Texas A&M football and Texas A&M defense to look like,” Elko said. “And when you go out there and you play to that standard in a game like that where you have a little bit of a talent advantage, obviously, it’s just rewarding to show them that’s who we are, that’s what we’re capable of.

“Obviously, we know there’s bigger challenges coming on the horizon, starting next week, but it’s just good to see that consistency play in and play out that you need to have the result like that.”

Stingy defense

There’s no doubt the level of competition will increase next Saturday against Arizona State. But it’s important to note that the first Texas A&M team to reach the College Football Playoff gave up a combined 46 points last year while winning its first two games against non-Power 4 squads – UTSA (24), Utah State (22). 

Missouri State finished with only 67 yards of total offense, which were the fewest allowed by the Aggies in a game since 1978. Only 30 of those yards were in the air as Texas A&M smothered Missouri State quarterback Skyler Locklear.

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“It felt great,” sophomore linebacker Noah Mikhail, who had a team and career high seven tackles, said of the shutout. “It’s a testament to how we’ve been practicing this offseason and what the coaches have been stressing. I think when we come together as a team, that’s the outcome. 

“Yeah, it feels great. I think we had — I think they said 11 new faces out there. Playing in Kyle is something different. I think it brings the energy and the level of everybody’s play up.” 

Reed accounted for 253 yards of total offense. He completed 21 or 30 passes for 233 passing yards and two touchdowns. He also ran for 20 yards on seven carries, gaining most of those rushing yards as the offensive line struggled on the first drive. 

Isaiah Horton makes mark

Despite losing Hornung Award winner KC Concepcion, who was the 24th pick of the NFL Draft, Reed had plenty of options. Isaiah Horton, a transfer from Alabama, had four catches for a team-high 76 receiving yards and one touchdown. Concepcion returned to Kyle Field a week before he’s scheduled to make his NFL regular season debut for the Cleveland Browns. Running back Rueben Owens had a team-high 77 rushing yards on 17 carries.

The Aggies’ defense looked strong throughout while the offense appeared out of sync early. Texas A&M led 19-0 at halftime before exploding for 31 points in the second half despite playing mostly backups during the 17-point outburst in the fourth quarter.

“I think we finished the second half pretty well,” Reed said. “I was hoping to get at least 50 on the board, so, got it right on the dot. Definitely still some execution things that we can come in on Sunday and check out before we get into next week.

“But that will have to wait for tomorrow. I think that when we get into the fourth quarter, we must find a different level like Coach Elko says. We’ve talked about finish, but we’ve also talked about focus. Having a sense of urgency and focus day in and day out, I think that’s what’s going to be important for us this year.”

David Olano perfect

A year after the Aggies struggled mightily in the kicking game, Texas A&M’s kickers were also perfect. David Olano, a grad transfer from Illinois, made a 28-yard field. He added six extra points while splitting the uprights on all of his kicks. 

Freshman Asher Murray added a 47-yard field goal. Murray was one of several young players who shone late after Elko pulled most of his starters.

“Our strength is our depth,” Elko said. “That is the strength of our team. And so, we’re going to lean on those guys. We’re going to keep bringing those guys along and develop them. And I think as this thing goes on, you’re going to start seeing those kids force themselves into roles where they can help us.”