No. 3 Texas A&M (11-0, 7-0 SEC) is 11-0 for the first time since 1992, while earning the program’s first shutout win since the 2022 season, as the Aggies steamrolled Samford (1-11) 48-0 behind starting quarterback Marcel Reed’s three touchdown passes in the first half. Mounting a 28-0 lead going into halftime, Texas A&M’s defense did not allow a first down, leading to head coach Mike Elko sitting his starters for the rest of the game.
While it was fun to see the younger players on both sides of the ball make an impact, this was a tune-up game before facing No. 17 Texas on the road just six days from now, knowing that the Longhorns’ defense will be looking to bring the heat against Marcel Reed, who, outside of several errant throws, continues to look like a Heisman finalist.
Before the game, running back Le’Veon Moss, who has missed the last four games, did not see action, as Elko is looking to keep him sidelined before Black Friday, which has likely been the game plan all along.
We’ve reached the final game of the regular season, and finishing 12-0 for the first time in program history and earning a spot in the SEC Championship Game is in the Aggies’ grasp.
FINAL: Texas A&M 48, Samford 0
Total Yards: Texas A&M 472, Samford 77
Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko took out his starters just minutes before halftime, especially after starting quarterback Marcel Reed connected for three touchdowns, paired with the Aggie defense not allowing a first down until the second half. This is Texas A&M’s first shutout victory since September 3, 2022, after defeating Sam Houston. The Aggies will now completely shift their focus to the Texas Longhorns ahead of the Black Friday showdown in Austin.
Texas A&M RB Preston Landis scores his first career TD (5:42 4Q)
We’ve reached the point of the game where Mike Elko has cleared his bench, leading to former North Texas RB Preston Landis scoring his first career touchdown from two yards out. Texas A&M 48, Samford 0.
Texas A&M K Jared Zirkel hits his second FG of the game (14:55 4Q)
This was the perfect matchup for Texas A&M to work out its kicking issues, and, outside of one miss, kicker Jared Zirkel has hit from 25 and 39 yards, which should help his confidence heading into the following week against the Longhorns, if he ends up replacing Randy Bond for the starting job. Texas A&M 41, Samford 0.
Texas A&M blocks Samford’s FG attempt (3:26 3Q)
Texas A&M freshman DL Landon Rink blocked Samford’s field goal attempt, as junior cornerback Jayvon Thomas returned the blocked kick for a substantial gain to set up the Aggies in excellent field position. Texas A&M 38, Samford 0.
Texas A&M freshman RB Tiger Riden Jr. scores his first career touchdown (8:28 3Q)
Texas A&M opened up the second half with backup QB Miles O’Neill back in the saddle, while freshman running back Tiger Riden, who has yet to see the field this season, scored his first career touchdown 1-yard out while racking up 26 yards on the ground. Texas A&M 38, Samford 0.
Halftime: Texas A&M 31, Samford 0
Texas A&M’s starting offense and defense thrived, scoring 28 points and preventing the Bulldogs from converting a first down, while QB Quincy Crittendon has -2 yards passing thus far. Starting quarterback Marcel Reed, who completed 10/15 and threw for 120 yards and three touchdowns, earned a spot on the bench to rest up before facing the Longhorns just six days from now.
Redshirt freshman WR Ashton Bethel-Roman has continued to shine this month, reeling in two touchdowns, and leads the team with 61 receiving yards.
Texas A&M K Jared Zirkel hits a 25-yard FG before halftime
Just second before halftime, Texas A&M kicker Jared Zirkel hit a 25-yard field to put the Aggies up 31-0 heading into the locker room. The kicking issues have not been solved, but this is a start.
Texas A&M’s kicking issues continue (1:50 2Q)
Backups are in the game on both sides of the ball. After third-string QB Brady Hart led the Aggies down the field, the Aggies couldn’t convert on third down, and instead of Randy Bond, kicker Jared Zirkel attempted a 36-yard field goal, which was not successful. Texas A&M 28, Samford 0.
Marcel Reed’s day is done, as backup QB Miles O’Neill has entered the game
After throwing three touchdown passes, up 28-0, Marcel Reed has earned a spot on the bench to rest before facing the Texas Longhorns just six days from now. However, backup Miles O’Neill opted to take a deep shot that was covered, leading to an interception.
Texas A&M RB Amari Daniels finds the end zone for Texas A&M’s fourth TD (12:19 2Q)
Earlier this month, head coach Mike Elko noted that Amari Daniels’ lack of snaps during A&M’s road win over Missouri wasn’t based on his ability, and in an effort to rest Rueben Owens, the junior back has received a lion’s share of the backfield production, rushing for 106 yards and his first touchdown of the season. Texas A&M 28, Samford 0.
QB Marcel Reed connects with WR Ashton Bethel-Roman again for a 58-yard TD (0:06 1Q)
Marcel Reed’s minor accuracy issues took a break during the Aggies’ third and final drive of the first quarter, as the star signal caller found WR Ashton Behel-Roman for the second time today, connecting on a 58-yard touchdown. Texas A&M 21, Samford 0.
QB Marcel Reed finds WR KC Concepcion for his second TD pass (3:53 1Q)
Marcel Reed’s first quarter now includes two touchdown passes after the redshirt sophomore found KC Concepcion for a 6-yard touchdown, as the Aggies drove the field 49 yards with a healthy dose of running back Amari Daniels, who leads the game with 57 yards on the ground, averaging 9.5 yards per carry. Texas A&M 14, Samford 0.
Samford’s defense forces a punt (9:34 1Q)
What looked like a potential facemask call resulted in the Aggies failing to convert on 3rd & 7, as the Bulldogs have surprisingly forced a punt and look to find something on offense. Texas A&M 7, Samford 0.
Texas A&M QB Marcel Reed finds WR Ashton Bethel-Roman for an early TD (11:34 1Q)
Texas A&M opened the game on offense. While Samford’s defense is just plain bad, the Aggies did not “play with their food,” opening the game with a 7-play, 70-yard drive that ended with Marcel Reed finding WR Ashton Bethel-Roman for a 3-yard TD pass in the corner of the endzone. Texas A&M 7, Samford 0.
Stream Texas A&M vs. Samford live on FUBO (free trial)
Stream Texas A&M vs Samford on ESPN+
What channel is Texas A&M vs. Samford on today?
The Texas A&M vs. Samford game will be broadcast nationally on SEC Network+ in Week 13 of the 2025 college football season. Clay Matvick and Chase Daniel will call the game from the booth at Kyle Field, with Marilyn Payne reporting from the sidelines. Streaming options for the game include the ESPN App and FUBO, which offers a free trial to new subscribers.
Texas A&M vs. Samford time today
The Texas A&M vs Samford game starts at 11:00 a.m. CT from Kyle Field in Bryan-College Station, Texas
Stream Texas A&M vs. Samford live on FUBO (free trial)
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Pregame
Texas A&M will honor 36 players half an hour before the 11:00 a.m. kickoff, which will reportedly include junior linebacker Taurean York and junior transfer wide receiver KC Concepcion, who are both predicted to enter the 2026 NFL Draft.
Texas A&M sophomore transfer WR Mario Craver dealt with an injury last week, and while he did play against South Carolina, it didn’t look like he was completely healed. Less than an hour before kickoff, Craver is dressed out and ready to play against Samford.
However, for the fifth consecutive game, senior running back Le’Veon Moss will miss Saturday’s game, but has a chance to return against the Texas Longhorns on Black Friday. Senior safety Bryce Anderson, who will reportedly redshirt and return next season, is also not dressed out.
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This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Instant reaction: Texas A&M shuts out Samford 48-0 to reach 11-0
Reporting by Cameron Ohnysty, Aggies Wire / Aggies Wire
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