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Everything HC Mike Elko and three players said after Texas A&M's 31-9 win over Miss State
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- Everything HC Mike Elko and three players said after Texas A&M's 31-9 win over Miss State
No. 5 Texas A&M (5-0, 2-0 SEC) defeated Mississippi State (4-2, 0-2 SEC) behind its second consecutive elite defensive performance in SEC play, as the Aggies shut down the Bulldogs to nine points, 219 yards, and 1-10 on third down. Combined with shutting down Auburn last weekend, Texas A&M 's defense has limited SEC teams to 1-25 on third down, which is an anemic 4% conversion rate.
However, while the defense kept the Aggies in the game throughout the first half, the offense needed to wake up, and starting quarterback Marcel Reed 's poor performance, which included an early interception, had to become a distant memory. Enter the second half, where the Aggie run game found life behind sophomore running back Reuben Owens, who ran for a career high 142 yards, averaging 6.8 yards per carry.
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Marcel Reed, who will also take a large portion of the blame for any more offensive performance, found his rhythm after the first two drives in the third quarter, delivering in the pocket, while finally finding star wide receiver Mario Craver for several explosive plays, including the Mississippi State transfer's touchdown run to seal the game.
Completing 13/23 for 180 yards and three touchdowns, including a rushing touchdown, the redshirt sophomore slowed down after the half. Reed looked much more confident when going through his progressions and finding his explosive playmakers on every remaining drive.
Elite defense and rushing for nearly 300 yards is the recipe to win most weeks in the SEC, and while the penalty issues continue, Texas A&M found a way to turn a 7-3 lead into a 31-9 win against a respectable Mississippi State team. Next up, the Florida Gators , who just beat No. 9 Texas in Gainesville.
After the game, Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko, Reuben Owens, LB Daymion Sanford , and WR Mario Craver spoke to the media. Here's what they had to say.
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Mike Elko on his halftime message to his team
"I think we had to find a way to get Marcel to settle down… It wasn't all negative in the first half. It was more about being in an SEC football game. They aren't easy. They are four quarter games."
Mike Elko and LB Daymion Sanford's big night in place of injured linebacker Scooby Williams
"He is a phenomenal kid. He works really hard in practice. Mentally, he never blinked when he didn't win the starting job… I told him his chance will come, and he has to be ready."
"He had another really, really big night tonight."
Mike Elko on senior Edge Cashius Howell 's elite performance
"He is really good… He is really good at rushing the passer. It starts there. We have gotten him in situations where you can go after people on third down."
Mike Elko on RB Le'Veon Moss 's injury status
"Le'Veon (Moss) got dinged up a little bit. He should be fine coming out of it. Rueben (Owens II) was playing so well that it made it an easy decision to stick with him."
Mike Elko on QB Marcel Reed's up and down performance
"Something in the first half, it was a rush, it was a guy in his throw lane, and he just got a little bit fast. Collin (Klein) did a good job of doing things for him in the second half."
Mike Elko on the 12 Man showing up for the third time this season
"The 12th Man is phenomenal… They are always behind Texas A&M football, but specifically this program. That's really awesome. We are always thankful for them. It's a phenomenal place to coach and to be because of them."
Mike Elko on WR KC Concepcion 's performance
"He is a lot stronger than you think. I saw that when we played him at Duke… You have an intense competitor who has the strength to break through more tackles than you would give him credit for."
Mike Elko on Texas A&M's second half surge
"It shows that they have a lot of confidence and what they are capable of… When one side of the ball has struggled, the other side stands up. There also hasn't been panic."
RB Reuben Owens on his mind set after rushing for a career-high 142 yards
"(Elko) told us we were hurting ourselves. Just to play the game we prepared to play. That's what happened."
Reuben Owens on his close friendship with LB Daymion Sanford
"Daymion (Sanford) is my best friend… I told him you have to wait for your opportunity. Him going out and showing what he can do… really solidified himself."
Reuben Owens on the offense's dominance in the second half
"As the game prolonged, you could tell they were getting tired."
Rueben Owens on Texas A&M's elite defense
"Really big. Two games in a row, the defense has gotten stops. They have been playing their butts off."
"Going against that defense in practice is something else.
LB Daymion Sanford on his first career interception
"I was in man coverage. I knew he was going to throw. It was a little wobbly, and I ran to it… I tried to go score, but my legs were a little tired."
Daymion Sanford on his relationship with LB Scooby Williams
"That's my dawg. We talk every day. I learned a lot from him… He keeps a competitive spirit in the room."
Daymion Sanford on his recruitment to Texas A&M
"A&M has been my dream school since I was young. I didn't think I would get the opportunity to come here. My mom played a big role. She spent hours and hours on long drives and getting me to camps."
WR Mario Craver on playing his former team
Those guys played great. It was a tough, physical game."
Mario Craver on his touchdown against the Bulldogs
"It was another touchdown. Nothing crazy. Nothing new. Just another touchdown."
Mario Craver on what Mike Elko said at halftime
"He was fired up and on our butts about all the penalties. He definitely wasn't happy."
Mario Craver on what motivates him moving forward
"You can't motivate me more than I already was. I was already going my hardest."
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This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Everything HC Mike Elko and players said after defeating Miss State
