Texas A&M’s unblemished season came crashing down Friday night in Austin, Texas, as the Texas Longhorns spoiled the Aggies’ hopes of competing for their first Southeastern Conference Championship.
The inconsistencies from the Maroon and White’s sideline led to their eventual collapse in the first Lone Star Showdown at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium since 2010. With the second consecutive season featuring a loss to Texas in the regular season finale, Texas A&M’s aspirations of competing in the SEC title game are dashed and the team will now await the College Football Playoff Selection Committee’s seeding, which could be a home matchup at Kyle Field in the first round of the playoff.
It was not a great showing for Aggie quarterback Marcel Reed, as the sophomore threw for 180 yards and tossed two interceptions against an incredibly physical Texas defense. Reed also led Texas A&M with 12 rushes for 71 yards on the ground in the effort. The Aggies‘ biggest struggle in the contest came against the Longhorns‘ explosive offense, as the defense allowed 397 yards of total offense.
With Texas A&M’s dreams crushed by its in-state rivals in the Lone Star Showdown, here is what second-year head coach Mike Elko, linebacker Taurean York and Reed said following the loss, as Texas A&M plays the waiting game for the eventual CFP Selection Committee’s final decision in a couple of weeks.
Elko’s opening statement after the loss to Texas
“Obviously, give them credit. They made it in the second half. From our perspective, very disappointed with how we played in the second half, the worst half we have played,” Elko said.
Elko’s overall thoughts on the performance
“We did a poor job of executing anything in the second half. It’s on me. My fault,” Elko said.
Elko discusses the penalty issue arising again
“We didn’t handle the atmosphere well enough. That’s what makes this league so challenging,” Elko said.
Elko’s comments on what’s left for Texas A&M this season
“I don’t know if we are thinking about that. We are thinking about not getting the job done tonight,” Elko said.
Elko’s thoughts on Reed’s interceptions
“I think he misread the coverage and put the ball where he shouldn’t,” Elko said.
Elko discusses the team showing fight in the second half
“Even the way we responded in the game, we showed some fight to get it 20-17, they scored and we drove again. The fight is there, we just have to play football,” Elko said.
York’s thoughts on the Aggie defense allowing big runs from Texas
“We had too many busts. We didn’t do our job. Same thing I told you last year,” York said.
York on Texas A&M’s season as a whole
“We are still going to the playoffs. We will get a good seed… This one hurts. I wanted to have that in-state rivalry,” York said.
York discusses what the defense saw from Texas QB Arch Manning
“Arch Manning is a great player. He is versatile, and we let him get too many yards,” York said.
York explains when he felt the momentum shift
“I’d probably say on that (Ryan) Wingo touchdown. You could feel the momentum swing a bit. They were turned up in the fourth quarter on the sideline,” York said.
York on how Texas A&M handled being down in the contest
“We weren’t really getting down, but you can’t keep shooting yourself in the foot against a team like this,” York said.
York’s thoughts on losing to Texas again
“We are tired of losing to that team for back-to-back years. We wanted to go to the SEC Championship,” York said.
York on why the Aggies lost focus
“Honestly, I don’t know. We were harping on it. (Steve) Sarkisian is a good coach, but it sucks when you shoot yourself in the foot,” York said.
York’s message to the 12th Man
“Stick with us. Now, it ain’t time to fold. We got you. Don’t worry,” York said.
Reed explains what happened in the third quarter
“We just weren’t able to get a first down. Their front played a lot harder than ours, and they had a better game plan in the second half. When we tried to get a momentum shift, we couldn’t,” Reed said.
Reed on how the team can learn and improve moving forward
“We just have to be disciplined and understand how to be focused. We can’t cause ourselves penalties,” Reed said.
Reed’s thoughts on the second half
“I think they took the momentum, and we couldn’t get it back,” Reed said.
Reed discusses the 2025 campaign
There is a lot to be proud of, we put up an 11 win season, there is a lot to work for. We are going to have to win out now,” Reed said.
Reed on the mindset after the loss to Texas
“Obviously, this one is going to hurt, but no more than 24 hours. Eliminate this one tomorrow, and we will go straight to work,” Elko said.
Reed on his Heisman chances after the performance
“I don’t know and I don’t care. Whatever they want to say about they can say, I’m trying to play for a national championship,” Reed said.
Reed’s thoughts on the loss and the feeling from the team after
“This is a feeling we don’t want to feel anymore. We haven’t felt it in a long time,” Reed said.
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This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Everything Texas A&M HC Mike Elko, players said after loss to Texas
