Elko sees encouraging signs as A&M looks internally

Click here to view Texas A&M’s Monday press conference.

Frustrated Aggies fans would embrace any signs that Texas A&M can have an encouraging finish to its disappointing football season.

Such signs may be difficult to find, especially after the Aggies (4-4, 1-4) fell to Alabama, 31-20, on Oct. 24 to sustain their second consecutive Southeastern Conference loss.

But following an open week, Mike Elko on Monday at his weekly press conference said he’s seen encouraging signs.

“Obviously, I thought there were times in that Alabama game where we played football the way we would like to,” Elko said. “I thought the physicality has taken some steps forward on both sides of the line of scrimmage.

“I thought we did a better job against them stopping the run and running the football, through the second and third quarters of that game.”

A&M rebounded from an early 7-0 deficit to take a 14-10 lead on a touchdown pass and run by quarterback Marcel Reed.

The Aggies took a 20-17 lead into the fourth quarter, but faded from there.

The much-maligned Reed had a solid showing, completing 14-of-21 passes for 163 yards and a touchdown. But he threw two interceptions, including one that was returned for a touchdown.

The Aggies rushed for 115 yards and finished with 278 yards of total offense. Most of that was recorded in three quarters.

“I thought offensive efficiency was as good as it’s been,” Elko said. “We didn’t finish the game, obviously, the way we wanted to. We didn’t get it done in the fourth quarter the way we needed to, to be successful.

“But I think some of the growth is there. We’re not talking about growth when we’re not winning football games because that’s what we’re here to do.

“But I do think there are signs that progress is being made. We’ve got to make it faster, more, bigger in order to get the results that we want.”

The Aggies have seen better results on defense of late. In their last three SEC games, they’ve allowed just 27 points or less. That’s typically good enough to give a team a chance to win.

Defense against the run has shown improvement, but the Aggies have been prone to allowing explosive plays. A&M has given up 18 plays for 30 yards or more. That ties Vanderbilt for most in the SEC.

Of those plays, 15 have come via the pass. That ties Mississippi State for the most in the SEC.

Danny Grant, TexAgs

In Texas A&M’s loss at Alabama, the Aggie defense gave up 379 yards of total offense to the Crimson Tide.

That’s a worrisome stat considering A&M faces No. 23 South Carolina (5-3, 3-3) next on Saturday in Columbia. South Carolina is third in the SEC with 22 plays covering at least 30 yards.

The Aggies have had an extra week to prepare for the Gamecocks. However, Elko said much of the preparation during the bye week was internal.

“I think that’s a big piece of bye weeks always for us,” he said. “You get ahead and start preparing a little bit (for South Carolina) for sure.

“I don’t know that seven practices for South Carolina … it’ll be too much at some point by the end of the week. I think most of it was internal.”

Adequately Motivated

In a disappointing season, there is a possibility that a team can become disinterested and lose focus.

Elko suggested that’s not the case with A&M.

“I think playing for pride is on two ends,” he said. “I think one is playing for the name on the front of the jersey (team). I think it still matters. I think the investment into this season is still really large.

“It’s still a 350-day investment into 12 Saturdays. So, I think that still plays a role.

“I think the investment into the name on the back of the jersey (individual) still matters. We’ve always talked about those two things in combination.”

Hoping He’s Healthier

Defensive end Anto Saka, a transfer from Northwestern, was projected to boost the A&M pass rush.

Danny Grant, TexAgs

Texas A&M’s defensive end Anto Saka has 10 total tackles and 0.5 sacks so far this season.

It hasn’t worked out that way. Slowed by leg injuries, Saka has managed just 10 tackles and assisted on one sack. He’s been credited with three quarterback hurries.

Much more was expected. The Aggies are crossing their fingers that he can stay healthy in the last month of the season.

“I think he’s been banged up quite a bit,” Elko said. “He’s missed time with a bunch of nagging things. Just getting healthy would be a huge thing for him.

“I think if we can find a way to get him healthier down the stretch, there’s a better chance that we can get out of him what we hoped we would.”

Notes
• Kickoff for A&M’s football game against Tennessee on Nov. 14 will be between 2:00 and 3:15 p.m. CT, the Southeastern Conference announced. The exact time will be announced following the SEC games on Saturday.