Momentum Shifts: Aggies shine with the return of Conner Weigman

The Texas A&M Aggies entered their third game of SEC play against the Missouri Tigers.

The Aggies delivered a dominant performance, handing the ninth-ranked team in the nation their first loss of the season in a commanding 41-10 victory. Missouri entered the matchup undefeated at 4-0, boasting a top-10 overall defense in the country, but the Aggies rose to the occasion. With Conner Weigman back at the helm, A&M controlled the game on both sides of the ball, making a bold statement in their SEC campaign.

The Good

Conner Weigman’s return – the spark we needed: Weigman returned from his injury and put on a show, completing 18-of-22 passes for 276 yards with an impressive 93.7 QBR. Weigman was able to fill in the missing piece of this offense in the passing game and helped light up the scoreboard. His precision in the passing game opened up opportunities across the field, and his mobility added 33 rushing yards on five carries. His timely return brought a sense of calm and leadership, silencing critics and reaffirming his place as one of the country’s top quarterbacks. With Weigman back in top form, the Aggies will look to build on this momentum moving forward.

Zoe Kelton, TexAgs

Le’Veon Moss’ 609 rushing yards paces the SEC and ranks seventh nationally.

Le’Veon Moss takes over as SEC's leading rusher: Moss continued his phenomenal season, claiming the title of the SEC’s leading rusher after another standout performance. Moss shredded Missouri’s defense with 138 yards on just 12 carries, including a 75-yard touchdown to open the second half. His three-touchdown day made him the first Aggie since Trevor Knight in 2016 to score three times against an AP top-10 opponent. Moss’ blend of power and speed has elevated him to elite SEC running back status, and with Amari Daniels contributing a solid 34 yards and two touchdowns, A&M’s backfield is proving to be one of the most dangerous in the country.

Receiver corps rises to the occasion: After weeks of inconsistency, the Aggies’ receiving unit finally delivered the breakout performance they’ve been capable of. Terry Bussey led with three catches for 76 yards, followed by Noah Thomas with 65 yards on three receptions, and Jahdae Walker added 52 yards on two grabs. A few plays stood out: Walker’s 40-yard contested catch in the second quarter, Thomas’ 29-yard gain after breaking tackles on a short route, and Bussey’s acrobatic 33-yard back-shoulder grab early in the third. Bussy is an incredibly talented freshman, and seeing him get more targets this week makes me think he’ll continue to grow into a larger weapon for this offense. The receivers consistently made big plays, gaining valuable yards after the catch and showing their potential to be a vital part of the offense moving forward.

A complete offensive effort: For the first time this season, we got to see the Aggies’ offense click on all levels. With Weigman leading a sharp passing game, Moss and Daniels powering the run and the receivers stepping up, the offense looked more balanced and explosive than I have seen in a long time. This was a complete team effort, and the execution across the board could be the turning point for A&M's season.

Defensive front: A dominant force. The Aggies’ front seven continued to wreak havoc, making Missouri’s offense look outmatched. A&M sacked Brady Cook six times, with Nic Scourton as the anchor. Scourton’s 1.5 sacks and 2.5 tackles for loss underscored his status as one of the best defensive players in the nation. His relentless pressure, combined with the defensive line’s overall dominance from players Shemar Turner, Shemar Stewart, Albert Regis and others has this group on track to be the best defensive line unit in the country.

Linebackers maintain steady play: The linebacker unit delivered another strong performance, providing stability and playmaking. Taurean York and Daymion Sanford each recorded a sack, while Scooby Williams added further production. Their ability to read the offense and attack the backfield has turned this group into a consistent threat week in and week out.

Zoe Kelton, TexAgs

Nicknamed “The Blanket” for good reason, Will Lee III did not allow a completion on five targets vs. Missouri.

Secondary shows tremendous growth: The secondary has made significant strides, transforming into a formidable unit. Will Lee III was a standout at cornerback, consistently shutting down Missouri’s receivers and flashing the potential of a future NFL star. The loss of Tyreek Chappell early in the season was significant, but this group has stepped up admirably in his absence. Under the guidance of former Aggie football player and now defensive backs coach Jordan Peterson, this unit has become more cohesive and reliable with every game. I am excited to see their growth continue as we play more talented receiving corps.

Special teams: Special teams play has made noticeable improvements from previous years, and the Aggies demonstrated that this weekend. The punter-kicker duo of Tyler White and Randy Bond continues to be a game-changing factor. White’s picture-perfect punt late in the second quarter pinned Missouri near their own goal line, while Bond went 2-for-2 on field goals and 4-for-4 on PATs. Winning the field position battle and consistently converting opportunities into points is a hallmark of championship-caliber teams.

A&M's Complete Team Performance

In this dominant 41-10 victory over Missouri, the Aggies showed just how dangerous they can be when playing complementary football. Led by the strong return of Weigman and a dynamic rushing attack from Moss and Daniels, the offense was in sync from start to finish. Weigman’s leadership and the balance between the air and ground game kept Missouri’s defense on their heels. The offense has started to find its rhythm, and the upcoming bye week provides the perfect opportunity to keep building chemistry and momentum.

Meanwhile, the defense — anchored by Scourton and a resurgent secondary — ensured Missouri could never find their rhythm. The front seven dominated in the trenches, and the secondary development continued to impress. This unit has been key to the Aggies' success all season and is only improving with every game.

This impressive win propels the Aggies into serious SEC contention, and the Aggies are alone in first place in SEC play with three conference wins. The bye week couldn’t come at a better time, allowing the team to rest, recover and prepare for the challenges ahead. With momentum on their side, a solid two weeks of practice will put the Aggies in a strong position to power through the rest of the season. Though there’s still a long way to go, Mike Elko and his staff have ignited an explosive start to this new era of Aggie football. I can't wait to see where this team ends up.

Gig ‘Em and BTHO the bye week!