Wet, humid Florida conditions could be perfect for growth of A&M's Moss

Cloud cover, humidity and damp surfaces are ideal conditions for moss growth.

Texas A&M hopes that’s perfect for Moss growth, too.

Cloudy skies, 83 percent humidity and scattered thunderstorms are forecasted for the Aggies’ 2:30 p.m. CT Southeastern Conference football clash with Florida on Saturday.

That weather — and the sudden uncertainty of quarterback Conner Weigman’s playing status — might create the quintessential environment to rely on Le’Veon Moss and the running game as the Aggies (1-1) look to end a frustrating 10-game losing streak in “true” road games.

Moss has had consecutive strong games against Notre Dame and McNeese State. He is averaging 5.3 yards per carry while rushing for 154 yards and three touchdowns.

“I thought he made the strides we wanted him to make from Week 1 (vs. Notre Dame) to Week 2 (vs. McNeese),” A&M coach Mike Elko said of Moss. “I think he’ll continue to improve as the year goes on.”

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Saturday’s game will be Texas A&M’s third trip to “The Swamp.” The Aggies dropped a 1962 matchup in Gainesville but were victorious in a 2017 trip.

He figures to have a chance for a productive outing against Florida, which last season was ranked 12th in the SEC in rushing defense. This season, the Gators have given up 305 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns in two games vs. Miami and Samford.

The Gators would appear vulnerable against the Moss-led A&M running game that is averaging 239.5 yards.

“We’ve got guys who can go,” Weigman said. “Just being able to give them the ball and let them go to work makes it easier for me.”

That is if Weigman is able to play.

A shoulder injury could limit him or force him to sit out. In that case, redshirt freshman Marcel Reed could be thrust into the lineup for his first career start.

Florida (1-1) also has a measure of uncertainty at quarterback. Senior Graham Mertz sustained a concussion in a season-opening loss to Miami.

He sat out last week, which opened the door for heralded five-star freshman DJ Lagway from Willis, Texas.

Lagway passed for 456 yards and threw three long touchdown passes last week in a 45-7 victory over Samford.

Mertz is obviously more proven, while Lagway, also a gifted runner, is a greater big-play threat.

Justin Schoenemann

A product of Willis High School, DJ Lagway was ranked as the fourth-best 2024 prospect in the state of Texas by TexAgs Recruiting. He held an A&M offer.

“(He) had a phenomenal senior year in high school,” Elko said of Lagway. “We’d seen that tape. It’s a small sample size in college, so you’re still really working off of everything you know about him not just what you’ve seen in a game and quarter-and-a-half so far in college.

“You don’t really know how they’re going to utilize them both at different times. To some degree, that part of it is a little bit like an opener because there’s some uncertainty and unknown. You’ve just got to formulate the plan that you think will get your kids in the best position to be successful and be ready to operate it however you have to.”

A plan also must be formulated to contain Florida’s explosive running back Montrell Johnson Jr., who had a 70-yard touchdown run against Miami.

The Aggie run defense has typically been solid but susceptible to allowing big plays. Opponents already have five running plays that have covered more than 20 yards. Because of those plays, A&M has allowed 378 rushing yards.

Some of those big plays have come against backups and freshmen, but Elko still isn’t satisfied.

“The first group handled last week the right way,” Elko said. “But certainly giving up 185 yards a game on the ground is not where we want to be at all. A lot of strides we’ve got to make to get that where it needs to be.”