Elko bristles at past, urges 9-0 Aggies to ‘finish’

Texas A&M’s football team, under head coach Mike Elko, remains undefeated at 9-0 after a commanding 38-17 road victory over Missouri, defying the program’s history of late-season collapses. This marks the Aggies’ best start since 1992 and only the fifth time in school history they have achieved such a record. On Saturday, November 8, 2025, Texas A&M dominated Missouri from the outset, building a 14-0 halftime lead and never looking back. The win capped a challenging three-game road trip that included previous victories over Arkansas and LSU, testing the team’s endurance and focus. Coach Mike Elko, who has been vocal about avoiding discussions of past failures, emphasized the present success. “I don’t know about the past,” Elko said, referencing last year’s team that started 7-1 but lost its final four games. He challenged his players at halftime to improve, particularly on defense, after allowing 207 rushing yards in the first half. The Aggies responded in the second half, rushing for 220 yards at an impressive 9.6 yards per carry. Quarterback Marcel Reed was efficient, completing passes for 221 yards and two touchdowns, with most throws being short gains. Running back Rueben Owens shone with 102 rushing yards and two touchdowns, including a 57-yard run that was the team’s longest of the season. Defensively, Texas A&M harassed Missouri’s freshman quarterback Matt Zollers, holding him to 7-of-22 passing for 77 yards and forcing a fumble that led to a touchdown. This performance underscored the team’s growth and ability to win crucial road games, with three victories over AP-ranked opponents this season. Historically, the Aggies have struggled to maintain strong finishes, with multiple 8-5 seasons since joining the SEC. However, this year’s squad has shown resilience, going 4-0 on the road so far. Elko expressed confidence in the program’s potential, stating, “This is kind of what everyone has been talking about with this program for a long time.” Players have adopted a “finish” mentality, learned from last year’s disappointments. Owens highlighted this focus, saying, “That was the word for spring. For fall camp. Finish. Last year we didn’t finish, so all week it was finish, finish, finish.” This mindset is crucial as they approach the season’s final games. Looking ahead, Texas A&M hosts South Carolina and Samford before a rivalry showdown at Texas. With a 6-0 SEC record, their best conference start since 1998, the Aggies are in contention for a College Football Playoff spot if they can maintain their undefeated streak and truly finish strong.