No. 3 Texas A&M (8-0, 5-0 SEC) goes on the road again and this time takes over the stadium late in the second half with a 38-17 win over the No. 19 Missouri Tigers (6-3, 2-3 SEC).
The Aggies are surging and continue to find ways to win, even when facing adversity. They boast the best away record in the SEC, going 4-0 and defeating three ranked teams along the way. For the first time since 1992, they are 9-0, and for the first time since 1998, they are 6-0 in conference play.
Interestingly, they’ve only played one truly complete game this season, against LSU, so there’s still plenty of room for growth before the College Football Playoff. Head coach Mike Elko has emphasized two core principles throughout the season: finish strong and focus on what’s directly in front of them.
While fans and media may dwell on past struggles or draw comparisons to previous seasons, Coach Elko consistently reinforces that the past is irrelevant and the only thing that matters is the next game.
It wasn’t the prettiest performance, but A&M did what they’ve done all season…win. After Saturday afternoon’s game, Coach Mike Elko, running back Rueben Owens, linebacker Daymion Sanford, and safety Dalton Brooks spoke to the media about the 38-17 road win over Missouri.
Coach Mike Elko’s opening comment in the post-game
“Obviously, a good start to November.”
Coach Mike Elko on being successful
“I think we did the things we needed to do to be successful. Thank you to all the Aggie fans and 12th Man.”
Coach Mike Elko on the fake punt
“Momentum had gotten away… We felt like we had an opportunity and we took it.”
Coach Mike Elko on the running game
“I challenged both sides of the ball at halftime… We needed to control the line of scrimmage. We found a better rhythm in the run game in the 2nd half.”
Coach Mike Elko on being 9-0
“From a CEO perspective I believe this is what is possible. It is a really special place. Through 9 games, we have lived up to it, now we have to finish.”
Coach Mike Elko on Ar’maj Reed-Adams
“He should be fine.”
Coach Mike Elko on Missouri’s running game
“One guy had 17 carries for 110, and one guy had 13 for 109. We did an awful job adjusting to both one them.”
Coach Mike Elko on the defense overall
“Overall, we did the things we needed to do, held them to 17 points and did well on third downs. For the most part, we played well, but we’ve got to get our rush defense consistent.”
Coach Mike Elko on Sanford’s strip sack
“The momentum was important for sure, but the separation was crucial.”
Rueben Owens on the running game
“It was hard running in the first half. They came out half. We knew they were a good run defense. They came out firing off the ball. Towards second half we got our will. They got fired. They got fatigued.”
Rueben Owens on the fake punt
“He’s a good runner. I think he should have scored on both (fake punt and fumble return).”
Rueben Owens on the team’s confidence
“Confidence is real high. But we’ve got to stay humble. Keep preparing throughout the week to get these wins.”
Rueben Owens on the Aggie fans
“When I scored my first TD I looked up in the stand said there’s still a lot of people here. When I scored my second TD I looked up and thought nobody is here.”
Rueben Owens on being on upset alert all week
“I don’t know what it takes for them to start believing. Ain’t no upsets going on. We come to play.”
Daymion Sanford on his strip sack
“I was surprise he (Dalton Brooks) got the ball. I looked up and he had it. I didn’t know if it was on the ground or in the air.”
Daymion Sanford on the CFB committees’ comments about the defense
“It motivated us a lot. Coming into the game we had a chip on our shoulder. Why are they disrespecting us?”
Daymion Sanford on the defensive game plan
“The whole goal was to disrupt the freshman quarterback (Mizzou Matt Zollers). We did that tonight.”
Dalton Brooks on the fake punt
“It felt like being in high school. I ran the ball in high school. That’s what it felt like to me.”
“It showed I can still run the ball.”
Dalton Brooks on the CFB committees’ comments about the defense
“We just showed we’re a defense that can come out and play. We’re a defense that can do what we need to do.”
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This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Everything A&M HC Mike Elko, players said after win over Missouri
