Texas A&M HC, players preview first-round CFP matchup against Miami
The much-anticipated wait is coming to a close on Saturday, as the Texas A&M Aggies host a first-round CFP matchup against the Miami Hurricanes at Kyle Field.
This season has featured the Aggies achieving multiple historic feats, including the program's first 11-win campaign since 1992 and the school's first playoff appearance. In just his second season at the helm, head coach Mike Elko has done exactly what he set out to do. Elko and company have placed the Maroon and White back in the national spotlight. The job is still far from over, however. At 11 a.m. CT on Saturday in Bryan-College Station, Texas, the Aggies will jog out of the tunnel in front of Aggieland for the last time in 2025. With that comes even higher stakes to leave everything on the gridiron and look to advance in the CFP.
To succeed against Miami , Texas A&M quarterback Marcel Reed must be prepared to air it out early and often. The Hurricanes bring the seventh-best rush defense in the FBS to College Station this weekend, which will be a massive factor in the way the Aggies handle their offensive schemes. Running backs like Rueben Owens II, Jamarion Morrow and Le'Veon Moss, should Moss be available, will play an integral role in trying to establish success on the ground. While Reed's mobility provides another factor for the Miami defense to prepare for, the Hurricanes have done a fantastic job in shutting down mobile quarterbacks, as they've allowed just 74 rushing yards against opposing signal-callers who attempted to run the ball.
Here is everything Elko and Texas A&M players said ahead of Saturday's first-round contest against the Hurricanes:
Elko congratulates Jamie Morrison and the Aggie volleyball program
"Obviously have to start by congratulating Coach Morrison and the women's volleyball team for what happened yesterday," Elko said.
"Hats off to them and good luck to them in the Final Four," Elko said.
Elko's statement about Texas A&M volleyball's Elite Eight upset
"If you ask any of them, they would tell you they did exactly what they expected to do yesterday. That's a very common thought for a lot of competitive athletes," Elko said.
Elko on promoting Holmon Wiggins as Texas A&M's offensive coordinator
"Really felt like the right person for the job was Holmon Wiggins. We've elevated him to the offensive coordinator position, and he's the only person we offered the job to," Elko said. "We felt that was the best thing for Texas A&M football moving forward."
"You see day in and day out the role that Coach Wiggins had in this, and that's what made the decision," Elko said.
Elko's statement on what the focus has been this week
"It's game week. We're into our normal game week preparation and routine," Elko said.
Elko on the goals moving forward
"We're in Year 2. We're trying to establish a championship program. We haven't won a championship since 1939," Elko said.
Elko on elevating Lyle Hemphill to defensive coordinator
"That one made a lot of sense," Elko said.
Elko's thoughts on Reed
"He has made a lot of growth. He has elevated the way you would've wanted him to this year," Elko said. "He's a true dual-threat quarterback, and he has been part of an explosive offense this year. We'll need that to continue this year to have a chance."
Elko's thoughts on the expectations for A&M moving into the CFP
"Expectations get created by the same national narrative and rhetoric that we don't pay attention to," Elko said. "We're not trying to be defined by any outside opinions of what we are or what we're capable of... We believe in our culture and what we've built."
Elko on the routine for the team this week
"Tomorrow will be a big day for us as we get into the middle of game week prep. Tomorrow and Wednesday will be big practices for us," Elko said.
Elko discusses Miami's talented edge rushers
"We've got a tremendous amount or respect for their defensive ends. They're tremendous football players. Our guys know that," Elko said. "Bulletin board material is not necessarily a thing when you get into the playoffs."
Elko's thoughts on the 11 a.m. CT start
"Really just put a ball down and play. We're excited for the opportunity to go out and play in front of the 12th Man. We've played 11 o'clock kicks before, and the atmosphere and environment have been great," Elko said.
Elko discusses Collin Klein and Jay Bateman departing from the program
"I've very confident and comfortable with the people we have in this building that they're going to finish this thing out," Elko said.
Elko's overall thoughts on this Miami team
"Talent. Extremely talented. Very athletic. Defensively, they're very long. They have a lot of players who can run and hit... Offensively, a group of very skilled athletes that can make a bunch of plays in space," Elko said.
Elko explains the vibe in the locker room right now
"Everyone is excited. It's our first opportunity to compete in the playoffs. It's what you get into the sport for," Elko said.
Elko on the Texas loss
"We've looked at the tape. We've seen the areas where we were deficient and made the proper adjustments," Elko said.
Elko's gameplan for the Hurricanes
"I don't know that you can ever go away from your identity... You can't call plays the day after the game," Elko said.
Elko's message to the 12th Man
"The message that you have wanted this for a long time. You have wanted a program that can compete in big games and on big stages," Elko said. "This is a thank you to them for their support all year and maybe a rallying cry to make this the best environment Kyle Field has seen in a really long time."
Elko on the importance of being in this position for the program moving forward
"Everything is a valuable experience. Every opportunity we get to play on big stages and in big games, we haven't been able to do this often," Elko said. "That's where this program needs to be and needs to be every year. With each opportunity we get, it's a great opportunity to build."
Elko on the economic impact of the CFP being in College Station
"It's huge. We got a text from somebody in town that said 'thank you' for the Christmas present of having another game in town on Dec. 20," Elko said. "I'm sure it has a tremendous impact on the community... It's great for the community of Bryan-College Station."
Elko's thoughts on Miami WR Malachi Toney
"The amount of ways he can impact the game. How explosive he is with the ball in his hand. For such a young kid, he has elite route-running skills," Elko said. "It's hard to believe you're watching a true freshman."
Elko on making the CFP
"It means that we're ascending in the direction we want to go, but we've talked about this a lot: We didn't just want to make the playoffs. That's obviously the first step," Elko said.
Elko discusses Miami HC Mario Cristobal's style of coaching and the team's playstyle
"Very physical. They try to control the line of scrimmage. You can see his demeanor in how they play and their style of play," Elko said.
Elko talks more about Reed's abilities
"He has taken a lot of steps this year. He has gotten a lot more comfortable in our offense... He has been tremendously impactful in our games and been a tremendous leader for our team this year," Elko said.
Elko's status update of Moss
"We're in wait-and-see mode with that one, so we'll see where that goes," Elko said.
Texas A&M WR Mario Craver and KC Conepcion on Higgins' promotion
"Definitely looking forward to next season. That's always been a goal of his. I am very proud of him," Craver said
"That's definitely an accomplishment for Coach Wiggins. He comes in every day the same way. High energy. He's going to give it his all. I'm happy for him to finally have that role," Concepcion said.
Texas A&M OL Dametrious Crownover on the key to success moving forward
"From Week 1 to now, it's a trust in my game that has allowed me to play the way I play. Getting ready for a team like Miami... It's about who knows their job and how to execute it," Crownover said.
Owens on making the CFP
"I am really excited to be here. I am glad that me and my boys were able to get it done for us and the 12th Man," Owens said.
Crownover when asked about Trey Zuhn's comments on Miami's defense
"I know, as an offensive line, we're ready to do our job, and that's what Trey (Zuhn) is speaking on," Crownover said. "If we do what we're capable of, we'll be perfectly fine."
Craver comments on getting back healthy
"It's been great. Me getting back to 100 percent and full speed is going to help this offense a lot," Craver said.
Concepcion's thoughts when asked about his future
"I have not made a decision yet," Concepcion said. "Talking with my coaches, talking with my parents. We're going to put our trust in God. Whatever He has in store for my future, we're going to go like that."
Concepcion on the national recognition
"It means a lot doing it here and in the SEC on a bigger stage than where I had came here. To me, the job is not finished. Me and my teammates still have our eyes on the national championship. Whenever the season is over, I'll sit back and think about all of that stuff, but for right now, I'm focused on what's in front of us," Concepcion said.
Crownover on the emotions entering the CFP
"You have to let it get a little exciting before you can calm yourself down... Being super tight, it puts more stress on you," Crownover said. "As the game gets closer and closer, you start to settle down and lock in on what you have to do."
Craver on the Miami secondary
"They are very physical and great in the back half. I look forward to this matchup," Craver said.
Crownover's thoughts on the Texas loss
"It was a rough loss, and you hate to lose that game, but we've got hopefully four more games left. We've had our time to sit and sulk about it, but now we've got to go win a national championship," Crownover said.
Owens on where the program is now under Elko
"My freshman year, things were not the best. Most of us stuck here and believed in Coach Elko and what he wanted to do. It all worked out. Year 2, we are in the playoffs," Owens said.
Craver on the No. 1 key to beating Miami
"I would just say be physical," Craver said.
Crownover's No. 1 key to beating Miami
"Communication. As long as we communicate with each other, we'll be fine," Crownover said.
Concepcion's thoughts on the offensive success
"It's not a surprise what we've done on offense. All of us knew that we could do it, and we just had to go out there and actually do it," Concepcion said.
Craver on the A&M WR room
"When you get a lot of special guys in a room like that, it's hard to go wrong, honestly," Craver said.
Craver on Coach Wiggins as OC
It was definitely a big decision. I told Elko that was the guy I wanted to run the offense... I am happy for Coach Wiggins," Craver said.
Owens' thoughts on Reed's development as a leader
"When Marcel (Reed) first got here, he was a shy guy. He is laid back. As the starting quarterback, he is that dude in College Station. He talks to everyone now," Owens said.
Concepcion on the 12th Man
"It has been crazy. We are nothing without our support system, without our fans, without everybody coming to the games and cheering us on. Whenever I can and whenever I have the time, I try to always interact with any and every fan that I can because you never know how you can change somebody's day or somebody's life by simply having an interaction with them," Concepcion said.
Craver's message to the 12th Man
"Last game in College Station, I expect it to be very exciting. We will come put on a show for y'all," Craver said.
Crownover on Kyle Field
"You know it's going to be a packed-out game. First playoff game in Kyle Field, I know it's going to be an exciting game to watch," Crownover said.
Concepcion on Kyle Field
"Whenever I first got here, my first game was crazy. I had never seen anything like that. We have a playoff game here? I always know it's going to be crazy," Concepcion said.
Owens' thoughts on the 11 a.m. CT kick
Electric. Even though it's an 11 a.m. kickoff, they will be turned up in here," Owens said.
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This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Texas A&M HC Mike Elko, players discuss CFP contest against Miami
