Conversation with Elko led to Weigman's stunning return vs. Mizzou

On the first series of Texas A&M’s 41-10 victory over then-No. 9 Missouri last Saturday, quarterback Conner Weigman completed consecutive passes for 13 and 15 yards.

Those passes continued a touchdown drive. They also launched perhaps the best game of his career.

Weigman, who had missed the three previous games, went on to complete 18-of-22 passes for 276 yards.

Though the game kicked off at 11 a.m. Saturday at Kyle Field, the beginning of that performance actually occurred Thursday afternoon in coach Mike Elko’s office.

“I made him come in my office and convince me he was ready,” Elko said in his weekly press conference on Monday. “We had a conversation on Thursday afternoon. In that conversation I got a really strong feeling he was in the right frame of mind and ready to go.

“That was probably the final piece I was looking for.”

Weigman had been sidelined with a sprained AC joint in his throwing shoulder. He wanted back in the lineup, but Elko didn’t necessarily need him back in.

Redshirt freshman Marcel Reed started the three previous games and was consistently effective in leading the Aggies to victories in all of them.

Elko knew the Aggies could win with Reed directing the offense.

However, Weigman — if healthy — provided the best chance for victory.

“The conversation for us (coaches) was we wanted to see Conner at 100 percent,” Elko said. “We felt like Conner at 100 percent gave us our best chance to win.

“We felt like at the end of the week we were going to get the best version of Conner. We felt like that was something that was going to give us our best chance to win. Certainly had all the confidence in Marcel if that’s the direction we chose or had to go, but we felt like that (with Conner) was the way to go.”

Obviously, Reed was disappointed. Elko said he took the news that Weigman was starting gracefully.

“He’s a great kid,” Elko said of Reed. “He wants to be our starting quarterback. He’s wanted to be our starting quarterback since the day he stepped on campus. That’s what makes him great.

“But he also wants to win, he wants to be a great Aggie and he wants to be a great teammate.

“He’ll continue to prepare and he’ll continue to put himself in position to be ready to go if his number is needed and called for.”

Line of distinction

Once an area of major concern, A&M’s offensive line has seen major improvement.

The Aggies average 232.3 yards to rank second to Tennessee in the SEC in rushing.

Also, they’ve allowed just seven sacks to rank in a tie for fourth in that category.

Last year, A&M was 11th in the SEC in rushing with a 136.1 yard average and allowed 30 sacks.

Several changes were made. Among them was the hiring of new offensive line coach Adam Cushing. Also, tackles Trey Zuhn III and Reuben Fatheree II are healthy, sophomore Chase Bisontis shifted from tackle to guard, and guard Ar’maj Reed-Adams and center Kolinu'u Faaiu were added via the transfer portal.

“They’ve taken a lot of pride in becoming the life blood of this program and the heartbeat of this program,” Elko said. “We had a lot of confidence in what that group could be. You never know until you know. Until you actually go out there and do it.”

They’re doing it.

Busy Bussey

Zoe Kelton, TexAgs

Terry Bussey recorded three catches for 76 yards, including a long of 33 in the fourth quarter, against Missouri. Before Saturday, Bussey had only two receptions for 10 yards.

Freshman receiver Terry Bussey is becoming more involved in the offense. He led the Aggies with three catches for 76 yards vs. Missouri. He also carried the football from the running back position and returned punts.

However, his greatest contribution may have been breaking up what could have been an interception inside A&M territory in the second quarter.

The Aggies were leading 17-0 at the time, but the interception would’ve given Missouri a chance to get back into contention.

“Great play. I thought it was critical,” Elko said. “The game was still very much in doubt. Conner had thought the corner (Toriano Pride) had jumped the inside route. The corner did a really good job of baiting him.

“If Terry doesn’t do that that’s a very clear pick. That was not only a big play, but a huge play in the game given the time it occurred.”

Elko said Bussey, a five-star prospect who played quarterback at tiny Timpson High School, is getting better every day.

“He’s growing every day into a technically sound football player,” Elko said. “He came in as a great athlete who had done so many things. Every time he goes out there he’s becoming a better and better technically sound football player. He knows that.

“It’s great that he’s getting more and more comfortable in the different ways we’re trying to use him.”

NOTES

• Trey Zuhn III was again named the team’s Offensive Lineman of the Week for this play vs. Missouri. Also cited for their play were quarterback Conner Weigman (Offensive Player of the Game), Rodas Johnson and Albert Regis (co-Defensive Linemen of the Week), defensive end Nic Scourton (Defensive Player of the Game) and Rylan Kennedy (Special Teams Player of the Game).
• Punter Tyler White was honored by the Southeastern Conference as the league’s Special Teams Player of the Week. It’s the second consecutive week he’s been honored.
• Ten different players caught passes from Weigman vs. Missouri … Elko said the Aggies enter this week’s open date in good shape health-wise. Only center TJ Shanahan’s status appears uncertain for the Oct. 19 game at Mississippi State. “Outside of that we’re in a good spot,” said Elko, who then knocked on wood.