Fightin’ Texas Aggie football is back.
On Saturday, No. 19 Texas A&M took care of business to open its 2025 campaign with a 42-24 victory over UTSA at Kyle Field.
To kick off the Aggies’ opening drive, quarterback Marcel Reed found his new offensive weapon KC Concepcion for a 15-yard strike. Falling behind the chains due to a holding penalty, an incompletion and negative play, A&M’s offense soon stalled out.
After a quick six-yard pickup from Devin McCuin, UTSA was forced off the field, going three-and-out on the Roadrunners' initial series.
The two squads traded off wasted possessions until Kyle Field was firmly introduced to Concepcion. The wideout returned a punt 80 yards to the house to put the Aggies on the board in the first quarter, 7-0.
UTSA saw its first chain-moving play with six minutes to go in the frame as College Station product Houston Thomas hauled in a 16-yard grab. Owen McCown & Co. continued moving downfield, testing the Aggie secondary in the process. On third down, Robert Henry Jr. was stuffed up the middle, leading to a 36-yard field goal.
Back on offense, Nebraska transfer Nate Boerkircher caught his first pass as an Aggie to move the sticks, but Reed then overthrew a wide-open Concepcion in the end zone to conclude the first frame. Needing an answer on third-and-17, Concepcion showed off his hands and converted for a first down. Reed delivered to another one of his new pass-catching weapons Mario Craver, who scampered 26 yards to the end zone.
As UTSA approached midfield, Bravion Rogers tallied the Aggies' first tackle for loss of the season. Gains of 13 and 18 quickly advanced the Roadrunners into the red zone, and Henry capped off the nine-play, 75-yard drive with a touchdown.
On third down, Ashton Bethel-Roman reeled in his first grab of 2025 for a gain of 20. Then, the Reed-to-Concepcion connection continued. The NC State transfer caught a slant and sped away, scoring his second touchdown of the night.
Scooby Williams made his presence known with a tackle for a loss of three, but Henry made up the ground with a rush right down Broadway. The Roadrunners kept pounding the rock into A&M territory, but no points came from it as Michael Petro missed a 43-yard field goal try.
To begin the second half, Henry hushed Kyle Field with a 75-yard haul right into the end zone on the first play. A&M’s offense failed to put life back into the place with an ensuing three-and-out.
Back-to-back stops from Albert Regis helped the Aggie defense get off the field after five plays. The speedster Craver picked up a new set of downs before Theo Melin Öhrström made his first catch of the night. Rueben Owens II exploded for a 30-yard pickup, the longest of his career, after short gains all night. On fourth and goal, Reed dumped it off to Öhrström to increase the Aggies’ lead by two scores.
Texas A&M’s defense began to find some answers, allowing the offense to return to the field rather quickly.
Craver propelled the Aggies past midfield with a 24-yard reception, and Reed used his legs to extend the march. Craver returned to the end zone for his second touchdown of the day, surpassing the 100-yard mark.
In the fourth quarter, UTSA’s offense continued to sputter. Meanwhile, Taurean York recorded his 10th tackle of the night, marking his fifth double-digit performance. Additionally, Rylan Kennedy logged his first career sack with 10 minutes to go.
The string of firsts continued on the offensive side of the ball as Texas transfer Amari Niblack saw his first catch in Maroon & White. Two plays later, the ball was handed to EJ Smith, who coasted into the end zone, putting the Aggies up by 25.
Depth pieces began to see action from here on out. Solomon Williams made some noise, making his way into the backfield and tackling Henry for a loss of six. On offense, Miles O’Neill took the reins, completing one pass to Kelshaun Johnson.
The UTSA offense came back on the field and marched, scoring with 14 seconds left in the game. Backup quarterback Brandon Tennison completed a 34-yard pass to AJ Wilson just before the clock expired.
RUMBLED: Texas A&M can thank the transfer portal for its elevated wide receiver room. KC Concepcion and Mario Craver’s first appearance in Maroon & White left Aggieland excited for A&M’s passing attack this season. The first-year Aggies combined for 288 all-purpose yards and four touchdowns.
STUMBLED: A&M’s highly-regarded rushing attack did not live up to its billing in Game 1. With one of the most experience offensive lines in the country and a stable of five capable backs, the group accumulated 71 yards, 30 of which came from a breakout rush from Owens. Without that play, the stable accounted for just 41 yards against an AAC foe.
TURNING POINT: When Henry coasted to the end zone on the first play of the second half, A&M stared trouble in the face. The Aggies recovered nicely in the third, answering with two straight touchdown drives. From there, UTSA’s offense quieted with five straight three-and-outs in the second half. In total, A&M scored 21 unanswered points to pull away.
UNSUNG HERO: Marcus Ratcliffe helped the Aggie defense find their footing in the second half. The junior totaled seven tackles, four of which were solo, one TFL and two pass breakups.
KEY STAT: Mario Craver’s 122 yards are the most in an Aggie debut since Christian Kirk's 106-yard outing vs. Arizona State in 2015.
Scoring Summary
First-quarter
A&M 7:21 - KC Concepcion 80-yard punt return for a touchdown. Texas A&M 7, UTSA 0
USTA: 1:53 - Michael Petro 36-yard field goal. Drive: 12 plays, 56 yards. TOP: 5:27. Texas A&M 7, UTSA 3
Second-quarter
A&M: 13:13 - Marcel Reed 24-yard touchdown pass to Mario Craver. Drive: 7 plays, 63 yards. TOP 3:29. Texas A&M 14, UTSA 3
UTSA: 8:33 - Robert Henry Jr. 15-yard rushing touchdown. Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards. TOP 4:40. Texas A&M 14, UTSA 10
A&M: 5:38 - Marcel Reed 31-yard touchdown pass to KC Concepcion. Drive: 6 plays, 67 yards. TOP 2:49. Texas A&M 21, UTSA 10
Third-quarter
UTSA: 14:47 - Robert Henry Jr. 75-yard rushing touchdown. Drive: 1 play, 75 yards. TOP 0:04. Texas A&M 21, UTSA 17
A&M: 7:10 - Marcel Reed 1-yard touchdown pass to Theo Melin Öhrström. Drive: 9 plays, 85 yards. TOP 4:31. Texas A&M 28, UTSA 17
A&M: 2:48 - Marcel Reed 22-yard touchdown pass to Mario Craver. Drive: 5 plays, 67 yards. TOP 2:48. Texas A&M 35, UTSA 17
Fourth-quarter
A&M: 7:16 - EJ Smith 3-yard rushing touchdown. Drive: 3 plays, 29 yards. TOP 1:18. Texas A&M 42, UTSA 17
UTSA: 0:14 - Brandon Tennison 34-yard touchdown pass to AJ Wilson. Drive: 9 plays, 72 yards. TOP 3:08. Texas A&M 42, UTSA 24
