No. 3 Texas A&M (11-0, 7-0 SEC) took care of business against Samford (1-11) from the FCS, defeating the Bulldogs 48-0 and earning its first shutout since the 2022 season.
Texas A&M entered Saturday as a 54.5-point favorite, and after starting quarterback Marcel Reed opened the game with three touchdown passes, combined with the Aggies preventing Samford from picking up a first down, head coach Mike Elko sat his starters after the second quarter, mounting a 28-0 lead heading into halftime.
This game was never in doubt, and served as a tune-up for the starters before facing Texas in Austin on Black Friday, knowing that a spot in the SEC Championship Game and top 4 seed in the College Football Playoff are on the line against a Longhorn team that will need to win out, and receive help to make the CFP for the third consecutive year.
Marcel Reed, who finished 10/15 for 120 yards and three touchdowns, connected with redshirt freshman wide receiver Ashton Bethel-Roman for two scores, including his 58-yard TD off a great deep pass from Reed. Junior running back Amari Daniels, who did not appear vs. Missouri or South Carolina, led the way with 106 rushing yards and his first touchdown of the season.
From now on, every game will be the biggest game on the schedule, so earning the eleventh victory of the year before heading to Austin is all that matters. After the win, Mike Elko, Amari Daniels, and freshman edge Marco Jones spoke to the media. Here’s what they had to say.
Mike Elko praises the 12th Man, who set an average attendance record (106, 159) this season
“Thank you for the season that we had here for the 12th Man.”
Mike Elko on taking Marcel Reed out of the game after the first half
“More than anything, it’s about getting people in. We wanted today to be about guys getting opportunities.”
“There were guys that got quality reps today, and I thought that was really, really important.”
Mike Elko on seeing Jimbo Fisher’s son, Ethan Fisher, who is Samford’s kicker
“It was cool to see.”
Mike Elko on safety Myles Davis gaining more confidence after more play time
“I was talking to Myles Davis at the end of the game, and he was telling me how much more confident he felt just to see it on the field.”
“It is good for those guys to get out there and grow from it.”
Amari Daniels on scoring his first touchdown of the season
“That was most important to me and our staff. He means a lot to Texas A&M football. He hasn’t had everything he hoped for in his senior year.”
“I’m sure that name will pop up in a meaningful game because it always seems to do so.”
Mike Elko on his biggest takeaway from this year’s senior class
“Their legacy. When this thing wasn’t attractive to be a part of, those guys decided. I was joking with Will Lee III and Cashius Howell because they were the first defensive guys to commit to us.”
“They will forever have shaped the culture for this era of Texas A&M football.”
Mike Elko on facing a short week before taking on Texas
“We will have to tweak some things. It didn’t sneak up on us. We know how we want to attack it.”
Amari Daniels on when he learned he was the feature back against the Bulldogs
“Right before kickoff. When my name was called, I was ready.”
Amari Daniels on potentially finishing 12-0 at Texas
“It’s exciting. This is why we play the game for: Trophies.”
“I got a first-hand experience last year. There’s nothing like it.
Amari Daniels on wanting to return home to Miami in the CFP
“I tell the guys, ‘I’ve got to go back home.’ That’s where the championship is at.”
Marco Jones on Texas A&M’s elite defensive effort
“Some people have been knocking our defense, but when we play well, we are good defense… We took pride in what he did today.”
Marco Jones on his knowledge of the Lone Star Showdown
“I don’t know too much. I know it was a big deal… You can’t ask for much more than to go there and lay it all on the line.”
Marco Jones on his approach to the game
“If you don’t practice and play like a champion every time, you don’t have a championship mindset… We still have a lot of football to play.”
Texas A&M’s defense was definitely the story of the game
“Some people have been knocking our defense, but when we play well, we are good defense… We took pride in what we did today.”
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This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Everything Texas A&M HC Mike Elko and two players said after 48-0 win
Reporting by Cameron Ohnysty, Aggies Wire / Aggies Wire
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