Texas A&M (11-0, 7-0 SEC) finished undefeated at home during the regular season on Senior Day with a 48-0 victory over the Samford Bulldogs.
Aside from some questionable kicking, the game on Saturday went about as well as you could hope for in a late-season matchup before heading to Austin. The starters built a big lead early and exited the field with only one injury, which was a key box head coach Mike Elko wanted checked. Marcel Reed did not have the strongest start, but he still managed three touchdown passes on 10-of-15 passing.
The defense recorded its first shutout since 2022 and held Samford under 100 total yards. Several depth players stood out, ranging from freshmen to seniors. Thanks to the lopsided score, fans also witnessed the all-walk-on kickoff team and the 12th Man, Nana Boadi-Owusu, notch a sack. Perhaps the most impressive aspect of the weekend was that Kyle Field was packed with over 100,000 fans for an 11 a.m. game against a 1-10 FCS opponent.
Here are the individuals who stood out—and those who need to elevate their game after Week 13:
Stock Up: Marco Jones
Jones has carved out a role as one of the first players off the bench when Cashius Howell or Dayon Hayes needs a rest. He has a bright future with the Aggies, and he was all over the field Saturday.
Game Stats: 7 tackles, 1 TFL,
Stock Up: Amari Daniels
It’s been a challenging year for Daniels, who has seen a steep drop in carries during his senior season. He stayed the course, and Coach Elko praised his selflessness on Saturday. Informed on gameday that he would start, Daniels exploded for a season-high 106 yards and a touchdown on nine carries.
Game Stats: 3 carries, 8 yards, 2.7 average, 1 touchdown / 2 receptions, 33 yards, 1 touchdown
Stock Up: TK Norman
The wide receiver room is just as deep as the running backs, but one name that stood out in limited action was true freshman TK Norman. Against Samford, he flashed his potential and showed the frame to add size without losing athleticism. With polish, he could earn a rotation spot next season.
Game Stats: 3 receptions, 39 yards,
Stock Down: Randy Bond
Kicking has been an issue all season, with neither Randy Bond nor Jared Zirkel inspiring much confidence among Aggie fans. While Zirkel handled field goals, Bond still made a self-inflicted mistake by sending a kickoff out of bounds.
Game Stats: N/A
Stock Down: Miles O’Neil
It was a rough outing for O’Neil in his first action since early September against Utah State. His arm talent is undeniable, but his confidence in forcing throws got him into trouble. Several times, he bypassed open underneath routes for riskier attempts. He improved in the second half, but it’s clear he still has a long way to go.
Game Stats: 3/7 completions, 19 passing yards, 1 interception / 4 rushes, 18 yards
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This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Texas A&M stock report, who shined in Saturday’s game against Samford
Reporting by Jarrett Johnson, Aggies Wire / Aggies Wire
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