What a comeback for No. 14 Texas A&M, who defeated the 8th-ranked LSU Tigers 38-23 after trailing 17-7 in the second half of Saturday night’s hotly contested matchup between two fierce SEC rivals. 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 chunk yards through the LSU passing game behind future NFL QB Garrett Nussmeier, locked up in the second half. At the same time, the pass rush finally got 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, notching two game-changing interceptions that led to good field position.
The Aggies comeback is a first for the program since the 2013 season during quarterback Johnny Manziel’s final game in a bowl matchup vs. Duke, in which the Aggies were down 21-3. With the win, Texas A&M is now in sole possession of first place in the SEC at 5-0 and 7-1 on the season, set to travel to Columbia to play South Carolina next Saturday night.
After the game, head coach Mike Elko, BJ Mayes, and Marcel Reed took questions from the media. Here’s what Elko had to say after the big-time win.
Elko on why he made the switch to Marcel Reed in the second half
“They were doing a good job of mixing up coverage. There were not a lot of open windows. It certainly wasn’t all on Conner (Weigman). At halftime, you figure out what you have to do.”
“It didn’t look like it was going in a better direction. We needed 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
“That we have a big game next week. That’s what I told the guys. The price of this is you have a target on your back.”
Elko on Texas A&M’s poor defensive showing in the first half
“We got too loose. That is a talented group. If you give them space, they will make you miss.”
“We talked at halftime about settling down and playing our game.”
Here’s your quote of the year, folks
“This is a real program. It’s not a politician up here, BSing everybody… For any recruits out there, if you want to play really good football, this is a good place to be.”
Elko on Kyle Field and the 12th Man’s big impact
“There are things we have to elevate in this program. Our home atmosphere is not one of them… That was the first time in the SEC this late in the season that a game was as important to us.”
“I appreciate everyone coming out in black tonight. It was an absolutely special environment tonight.”
Elko on the team buy-in after the 7-1 start
“I think they appreciate genuine honesty… I am with them all the time. I think they appreciate the messaging and how real and consistent it is.”
Elko on QB Marcel Reed’s performance
“You saw in his performance how he has handled the last couple weeks… He handles the offense the way we want him to.”
“We get two QBs ready always… We never pulled back on what we were doing 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
