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Everything HC Mike Elko said after Texas A&M’s 38-23 comeback win over LSU

Vaseline October 27, 2024

October 26, 2024; College Station, Texas, USA; .LSU Tigers head coach Brian Kelly, left, and Texas A&M Aggies head coach Mike Elko, right, greet before the game at Kyle Field. Mandatory credits: Maria Lysaker-Imagn images.

What a comeback for No. 14 Texas A&M, who defeated the eighth-ranked LSU Tigers 38-23 after trailing 17-7 in the second half of the closely fought game between two fierce SEC rivals on Saturday night. After looking lifeless on offense, Elko, needing a spark, brought in redshirt freshman quarterback Marcel Reed, who led the Aggies to three touchdowns in the second half.

Texas A&M’s defense, which gave up too many yards on the LSU pass behind future NFL QB Garrett Nussmeier, stalled in the second half. At the same time, the pass rush finally came home after sacking the junior signal caller twice in the second half. However, senior cornerback BJ Mayes made the most of his time in the slot, recording two game-changing interceptions that led to good field position.

The Aggies comeback marks a first for the program since the 2013 season during quarterback Johnny Manziel’s final game in a bowl game against Duke in which the Aggies trailed 21-3. With the win, Texas A&M now holds sole possession of first place in the SEC, at 5-0 and 7-1 on the season, and will travel to Columbia to play South Carolina next Saturday night.

After the game, head coach Mike Elko, BJ Mayes and Marcel Reed answered questions from the media. Here’s what Elko had to say after the big win.

Elko on why he switched to Marcel Reed in the second half

October 26, 2024; College Station, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies quarterback Marcel Reed (10) has the ball in the fourth quarter as LSU Tigers safety Major Burns (8) tries to make a run at Kyle Field. Mandatory credits: Maria Lysaker-Imagn images.

“They did a good job of mixing up the coverage. There weren’t a lot of open windows. It certainly wasn’t all on Conner (Weigman). At halftime you figure out what to do.”

“It didn’t look like things were going in the better direction. We had to run the ball and we needed Marcel’s legs.”

Elko on what it feels like to be 5-0 and in first place in the SEC standings

October 26, 2024; College Station, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies linebacker Taurean York (21) reacts after catching the ball for an interception in the fourth quarter against the LSU Tigers at Kyle Field. Mandatory credits: Maria Lysaker-Imagn images.

“That we have a big game next week. That’s what I told the boys. The price of this is that you have a target on your back.”

Elko on Texas A&M’s poor defensive performance in the first half

October 26, 2024; College Station, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies head coach Mike Elko reacts to a call in the third quarter against the LSU Tigers at Kyle Field. Mandatory credits: Maria Lysaker-Imagn images.

“We went too loose. That’s a talented group. If you give them space, they’ll make you miss.”

“We discussed at half-time that we needed to settle down and play our game.”

Here’s your quote of the year, folks

October 26, 2024; College Station, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies quarterback Marcel Reed (10) celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the LSU Tigers at Kyle Field. Mandatory credits: Maria Lysaker-Imagn images.

“This is a real program. It’s not a politician here that’s going to BSt everyone… For all the recruits out there, if you really want to play good football, this is a good place to be.”

Elko on Kyle Field and the 12th Man’s big impact

October 26, 2024; College Station, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies quarterback Marcel Reed (10) celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the third quarter against the LSU Tigers at Kyle Field. Mandatory credits: Maria Lysaker-Imagn images.

“There are things we need to improve in this program. Our home atmosphere isn’t one of them… That was the first time in the SEC that late in the season that a game was that important to us.”

“I appreciate everyone coming out in black tonight. It was an absolutely special environment tonight.”

Elko about the team buy-in after the 7-1 start

“I think they appreciate real honesty… I’m with them all the time. I think they appreciate the message and how real and consistent it is.”

Elko on the performance of QB Marcel Reed

October 26, 2024; College Station, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies quarterback Marcel Reed (10) celebrates after scoring a touchdown with Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks coach Collin Klein in the third quarter against the LSU Tigers at Kyle Field. Mandatory credits: Maria Lysaker-Imagn images.

“You saw in his performance how he has handled the past few weeks… He is handling the offense the way we want.”

“We always have two QBs ready… We never went back on what we did with him.”

This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Everything HC Mike Elko said after Texas A&M’s 38-23 comeback win over LSU

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first Drop

Everything HC Mike Elko said after Texas A&M’s 38-23 comeback win over LSU

Elko on why he switched to Marcel Reed in the second half

Elko on what it feels like to be 5-0 and in first place in the SEC standings

Elko on Texas A&M’s poor defensive performance in the first half

Here’s your quote of the year, folks

Elko on Kyle Field and the 12th Man’s big impact

Elko about the team buy-in after the 7-1 start

Elko on the performance of QB Marcel Reed

Vaseline

Everything HC Mike Elko said after Texas A&M’s 38-23 comeback win over LSU

Elko on why he switched to Marcel Reed in the second half

Elko on what it feels like to be 5-0 and in first place in the SEC standings

Elko on Texas A&M’s poor defensive performance in the first half

Here’s your quote of the year, folks

Elko on Kyle Field and the 12th Man’s big impact

Elko about the team buy-in after the 7-1 start

Elko on the performance of QB Marcel Reed

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