At Kyle Field on Saturday night, the Aggies put together one of their most complete performances of the season, defeating the Florida Gators 34–17 to improve to 6-0.
This one felt different.
From the opening kick, you could feel this team’s confidence. It felt like a team that is no longer trying to prove they belong, and it’s one that now expects to dominate. Even when the Gators had success early in this game, you could see how level-headed this Texas A&M team was. This group never flinched or panicked when Florida put up 14 points in the first quarter. They responded and showed what it looks like to play complementary football against an SEC opponent.
The environment in Kyle Field was electric on Saturday. The 12th Man showed up in full force once again, and the energy was contagious. The Aggies didn’t just win — they imposed their will on both sides of the ball and showed everyone why they’re serious contenders in the SEC.
Here’s what I saw in Saturday’s win against the Gators.
Offense: Balanced, Explosive and Physical
This was one of the more balanced offensive performances we’ve seen all year. The Aggies totaled 417 yards of offense, rushing for 183 yards and throwing for 234. The way the offense opened up this game was explosive and was the perfect response to Florida’s early scores. While the offense didn’t maintain that same level of efficiency throughout the entire game, watching how this group responded to Florida's early punches was incredible.
Marcel Reed played with poise and confidence. He finished 16-of-26 for 234 yards, one touchdown and one interception, while also adding seven carries for 37 yards and a rushing touchdown. It feels like Reed has found his rhythm in the pocket, and he continues to show his arm talent every week.
A prime example came on A&M’s first drive after Florida’s opening touchdown. It was clear the offense needed to respond, and that’s exactly what Reed did. On the first offensive play of the drive, he connected with Mario Craver for a 67-yard strike, immediately swinging the momentum back in the Aggies’ favor. On the very next play, Reed took a designed QB run into the end zone for an eight-yard touchdown.
While there were plenty of moments that showcased Reed’s brilliance, there were still a few decisions he’ll want back — most notably his throw into double coverage in the end zone for an interception early in the fourth quarter. It didn’t come back to bite the Aggies, but we can trust that Reed will learn from that mistake and be better because of it.
Reed commanded this game like a veteran, consistently leading strong drives and controlling the pace.
The offensive line deserves a ton of credit for how physically dominant they were up front. Florida’s defense came in ranked among the better fronts in the SEC, but the Gators had no answer for the Aggies’ run game. The tone was set in the trenches, and that’s what championship-caliber football looks like.
The Rushing Attack Controls the Game
The running game once again set the tone for everything this offense did. Rueben Owens II led the way with 17 carries for 51 yards and a touchdown, running with confidence and balance throughout the night. Le’Veon Moss added five carries for 46 yards and a touchdown, continuing to show his explosiveness with the football in his hands.
While the run game was in full effect throughout this game, the loss of Moss to another significant injury is hard to stomach. He is a premier talent, and to fight back from his knee injury last season and play at such a high level again this year is a testament to his toughness. Thankfully, his ankle injury doesn’t sound season-ending, but only time will tell how much action he’ll miss.
Seven different Aggies carried the football for 183 total yards and three touchdowns, keeping the chains moving and the Florida defense on its heels.
The Aggies’ ability to run the football consistently opens up everything else for this offense. As the game went on, you could see Florida’s defense breaking down. Each drive, the offensive line’s push got stronger, and the will of the Florida defense broke a little more.
The benefit of having such a deep running back room is that Owens, Amari Daniels, EJ Smith, and Jamarion Morrow are all extremely talented backs who can continue to be the strength of this offense. If you want to talk about offensive dominance, the Aggies completely controlled the fourth quarter, taking over eight minutes off the clock on a 13-play touchdown drive to make the game 31–17.
Offensive Playmakers Deliver
Throughout this game, the Aggies spread the ball around to every position group on the field.
Craver and KC Concepcion continue to show why they’re one of the most dangerous receiving duos in the SEC. Craver caught two passes for 77 yards, including a 67-yard bomb that flipped the field and led directly to an Aggie touchdown. His speed continues to be a problem for defenses, and his ability to break a game open at any moment makes him invaluable to this offense.
Concepcion once again showed his versatility, pulling in four catches for 46 yards, all from different route concepts and play types. That’s what makes him so dangerous; you never know what Collin Klein is going to scheme up to get him the football.
The tight ends also stepped up, playing a larger role in this game than they have all season. They combined for eight receptions for 78 yards, showcasing how dangerous this offense becomes when tight ends are involved.
When the Aggies can spread the ball around to this many playmakers, it’s nearly impossible for a defense to key in on just one threat.
Defense: Controlling the Trenches and Closing the Door
The defense set the tone early and never looked back. Florida managed just 319 total yards, including only 74 rushing yards on the night. The Aggies’ front seven completely controlled the line of scrimmage, collapsing pockets, blowing up run lanes and forcing the Gators into uncomfortable third-down situations all game long.
The Aggie defense shut down the Gators on third down, holding them to 1-for-10 on the night. This improved the A&M’s third-down stops to 2-of-33 over the last three games. This is an unbelievable stat that shows just how strong this defense is.
Daymion Sanford had another huge game, recording eight tackles (four solo), one tackle for loss, a pass breakup and a forced fumble that led to an Aggie field goal. His speed and instincts are becoming game-changing for this defense, and his playmaking all across the field continues to benefit this defense.
The rotation up front, led by Cashius Howell, Dayon Hayes and Albert Regis, kept constant pressure on DJ Lagway, sacking him three times. Every time Florida looked like it was gaining momentum, this defense found a way to take it right back.
Secondary Shuts It Down
The Aggie secondary continues to stand tall week after week. Against a Florida offense with Lagway pushing the ball downfield, the defensive backs were able to bounce back after two early scores. Dezz Ricks and Will Lee III minimized the damage after the first quarter, showing the maturity and poise that have become the standard in this secondary.
That ability to respond to adversity after taking punches early in a game speaks volumes about what Jordan Peterson is building in the defensive back room.
The safeties, Marcus Ratcliffe and Dalton Brooks, once again played with physicality and awareness, tackling well in space and making sure Florida couldn’t get behind them. One of my favorite things about Brooks is how he’s used in blitz packages on third down. He is a physical presence who takes pride in his effort, which makes him a great second-level blitzer in this defense.
When this front seven and secondary are both clicking, this defense looks as complete as any in college football.
Closing Thoughts: Contenders Through and Through
This was the most well-rounded performance of the season for Texas A&M. The offense was balanced, and the defense was suffocating. It was the kind of win that shows just how complete this team has become.
Mike Elko and his staff continue to push the right buttons. The adjustments made by Elko and his staff were perfect and showcased the high-level coaching that we can expect to see out of this coaching staff. The energy for this team stayed consistent throughout the entire game, and the players responded to every challenge Florida threw at them.
At 6-0, this Aggie team isn’t going to sneak up on anyone anymore. They’re not underdogs; they’re the standard, and with the level of confidence, discipline and physicality that they’re playing with right now, I think they can compete with anyone in the country. If this team keeps playing at this level — winning the line of scrimmage, controlling the tempo and capitalizing on key opportunities — there’s no question they can compete for the College Football Playoff.
The Elko era is only in its second year, but make no mistake: the rest of the conference has been put on notice.
As the Aggies start this road tour against Arkansas in Fayetteville, this will be a great test to prepare them for the tough path ahead. This time of year is when it counts. Can you finish what you’ve started? Can A&M continue to play championship-level football, even in hostile environments around the SEC? After watching how this team has been playing, I have no doubt that they will prove once again this weekend that they are the real deal.
Gig ‘Em and BTHOarkansas
