Q&A with A&M senior inside linebacker Michael Hodges

Gabe Bock: Just talk about that feeling on Kyle Field after the win over OU ... the feeling of taking steps toward re-establishing the Wrecking Crew.
Michael Hodges: “We definitely took a step forward in that direction. The feeling that you are talking about, it’s kind of faded now that I’m focusing on Baylor, but on Sunday, you couldn’t slap the smile off of my face even when I was at West Campus studying. It was definitely a win that I will never forget.”

GB: When you were pondering playing football at Texas State or Texas A&M after your move from the Air Force Academy, could you have imagined having 19 tackles against Oklahoma, who was number one in the country two weeks prior to the game, beating them in Kyle Field and having such a huge part in the win?
Hodges: “It goes past all imagination. 19 tackles is unheard of and I question the count. I don’t know when those came, but I know I had a lot of opportunity in the second half and, thankfully, I was able to make them. Those 19 tackles weren’t by any means because of what I was doing. Yeah, I was playing well but our defense played tremendous football. I can’t say enough about our defensive line ... they have done a complete 180. They have just been awesome and it’s hard for the offensive line to get up to that second level. But I hope I make my appreciation clear for the defense, because all of the media coverage that I have been getting over the past week’s game, as exciting as it is, is definitely attributed to our defense as a whole. Our entire Texas A&M defense deserves all of the recognition.”

GB: What means more to you ... 19 tackles or being able to play all 104 snaps against the fastest offense in the country?
Hodges: “I don’t think it was either of those two ... I think it was simply beating one of the best offenses in the country. Getting to play that many plays, not even realizing it, is crazy and we probably would have put someone else in to give me some rest, but thankfully I was able to stay fresh the whole game. With the exception of one or two, there weren’t that many long drives, so that was probably a big reason that I could continue playing. Nothing is more special than that victory. The Aggies all around the world deserve that. It was way overdue and I am extremely humbled that I could be a part of it.”

GB: It certainly looks like the Wrecking Crew is on the way back, and the fans let you know on Saturday that they feel the same way. When do you know that the Wrecking Crew is officially back?
Hodges: “I don’t know when you know it’s back. It’s not our decision. It really depends on how we play these next three games. I’m glad we had a great game, but if we go out and embarrass ourselves at Baylor, it will make everything else null and void ... and that’s unacceptable. That’s a big point that I hope the guys understand, is that we have to keep rolling. I really think all of them do and I really hope that we can continue this. To be back to that level of old, not only do the fans need to think that we are the Wrecking Crew, but the past Wrecking Crew should recognize us as that as well. They’re the ones that decide.”

GB: What would it mean to you personally to win the one of these National Player of the Week awards, such as the AT&T Player of the Week?
Hodges: “Words can’t explain what that would mean. I think that the fact that there is not a defensive player who has won it this season speaks wonders. Just being nominated is a great honor and I am very proud and humbled by it. My parents and I were talking about it on Sunday, just how surreal it was looking back at where I was two-and-a-half years ago. Coach Kines and I knew each other but never had more than a two-sentence conversation, so it’s just crazy what has happened. For that award to come, it would be great, not only to myself, but as a chance to bring recognition to this team’s defense and to the school. We’re not getting very much credit for what we’ve done to date, so I can’t describe in words how great it would be.”

GB: Finally, you’re the leader on defense, so what are you going to do to make sure the guys stick with it this week and avoid a letdown?
Hodges: “My goal is to just keep routine ... to do exactly what we did last week and the week before. We don’t need to change what we’re doing. We’re a great football team. I think what we need to do is get this OU thing behind us and focus on Baylor as our biggest game of the season, which it is. Every week, the biggest game of our season is on Saturday. There isn’t much I have to do because of how good our coaches are at keeping us grounded. The maturity of our team has come such a long way, that I’m not worried about this situation. I think we’re going to bring our hard hats and work this week, which is going to be key to our success on Saturday.”