Momentum Shifts: Complete effort earns shutout ahead of rivalry week

On Saturday at Kyle Field, Texas A&M did exactly what great teams are supposed to do. The Aggies walked onto their home field, took care of business and left no doubt about who they are heading into the biggest week of the season.

The final score — A&M 48, Samford 0 — says everything you need to know.

This was total domination from start to finish. The Aggies were efficient, balanced, physical and focused. There were no lapses, no complacency and no letdowns. It was the performance of a team that understands what’s in front of them and what’s at stake.

These are the games that reveal maturity. It’s easy to overlook an opponent when you’re coming off a grueling SEC schedule. But this team didn’t do that. They treated Samford with the same intensity that they would bring to a game against any team.

Offense

Efficiency and execution at every level
This offense didn’t waste time. On the first few drives, the Aggies established control with a balanced attack that mixed explosive plays on the ground and in the air.

Will Huffman, TexAgs

Marcel Reed took just 29 snaps vs. Samford.

Marcel Reed looked sharp during his limited playing time, going 10-of-15 for 120 yards and three touchdowns, before being pulled early in the second quarter. He settled into this game and got into a groove. His decision-making was clean, and he ran the offense with poise. This game wasn’t about putting up numbers. It was about commanding the offense efficiently to take care of business. Reed looked comfortable and in control, leading scoring drives on nearly every possession he played.

What I love most about Reed is how he manages games now. He’s becoming more consistent about not forcing things that aren’t there. He takes what the defense gives him and trusts his playmakers to do their job. That’s the mark of a mature quarterback, and it’s exactly what you want heading into a road rivalry game.

Behind him, the Aggies leaned on their identity, the run game. And it was dominant.

Amari Daniels led the way with nine carries for 106 yards and a touchdown, averaging nearly 12 yards per touch. Every run was downhill and physical. I was happy to see him step in after not receiving as many carries as we anticipated earlier in the year. This is a testament to Daniels and his good attitude towards producing when he gets his opportunities. Tiger Riden Jr. also had 11 carries for 45 yards and another touchdown, while Jamarion Morrow took nine carries for 52 yards. In total, the Aggies rushed 43 times for 247 yards and three touchdowns, averaging almost six yards per carry. That’s the type of control that wins you football games deep in November.

Will Huffman, TexAgs

Amari Daniels is averaging 5.3 yards per tote on 41 carries this season.

In the passing game, the Aggies' depth showed why they’re among the best groups in the SEC.

Ashton Bethel-Roman continues to break out, having two receptions for 61 yards and two touchdowns, including a 58-yarder that broke the game open late in the first quarter. KC Concepcion was once again steady and reliable, catching five passes for 42 yards and a touchdown. His ability to move the chains and win in the middle of the field gives this offense balance and rhythm.

Even after Reed exited, the production didn’t drop off. The backups Miles O’Neill, Brady Hart and Jacob Zeno stepped in and kept the offense humming, showing the kind of depth and preparation that championship teams have.

Offensive line: Quietly dominant
This offensive line continues to show it’s one of the best in the country. The front five — Trey Zuhn III, Chase Bisontis, Mark Nabou Jr., Ar’maj Reed-Adams and Dametrious Crownover — imposed their will from start to their exit from the game.

This group opened up massive running lanes in the run game, kept Reed clean in the pocket and never allowed Samford to dictate tempo. The communication and consistency from this group have been remarkable throughout the course of this season.

This next week in Austin will be the biggest test that this unit has faced, and I am pumped to see how they compete against a talented Texas front.

Will Huffman, TexAgs

Texas A&M’s offensive line allowed just one sack and two total TFLs to Samford.

Defense

Pure dominance in every phase
You don’t stumble into a shutout. You earn it.

The Aggies’ defense delivered a masterclass Saturday night, holding Samford to just 77 total yards of offense — 46 passing and 31 rushing — with only three first downs in the entire game. Samford finished 0-for-15 on third down. That’s not just domination, that’s suffocation.

This front seven continues to be the foundation of Texas A&M’s identity. Albert Regis and many others owned the interior, eliminating any running lanes and forcing Samford’s quarterback into quick, desperate throws. On the edge, Cashius Howell and Dayon Hayes controlled, contained and pressured the pocket all day long. Although they weren’t able to sack the quarterback, they kept the Samford offense from getting anything rolling in the air.

At linebacker, Taurean York was once again the general, diagnosing plays before the snap and getting everyone aligned. His football IQ and consistency continue to make him one of the most dependable players on this defense.

The secondary, led by Tyreek Chappell, Marcus Ratcliffe and Dalton Brooks, was nearly perfect. Samford’s quarterbacks combined for 4-of-18 passing for 46 yards. That’s execution at every level — tight coverage, good communication and clean tackling.

Joseph Buvid-Imagn Images

Led by Marco Jones with seven, 28 different Aggies recorded a tackle vs. Samford.

Mike Elko and Jay Bateman deserve credit for how this unit responded after some early-season inconsistencies. They’ve simplified and tightened, and now they’re playing fast and confident. This defense isn’t just talented. It’s disciplined, which is far more dangerous.

Another point to hit on is the depth of this defense. These young players stepped into this game and performed. The young talent is all over this defense, and it’s clear that this team is in good hands for years to come.

Culture and Consistency
If you want to know why this team looks so complete right now, it’s because of the culture that Elko has built.

Every week, this team plays with the same level of intensity. There’s no “trap game” mindset, no sense of entitlement. They show up, execute, dominate and move on to the next one.

That’s what Elko has instilled.

Discipline. Accountability. Execution. Togetherness.

You can see it on the field and on the sideline. The energy never drops, no matter the situation. The focus never wavers, and everyone knows their role.

From a former player’s perspective, that’s the kind of culture that wins championships. It’s not just about talent. It’s about mindset. This team has both.

Will Huffman, TexAgs

Texas A&M averaged 106,159 fans at Kyle Field across the seven regular-season home games in 2025. That is the highest single-season average in program history.

Road ahead: The rivalry and the moment

Now, everything shifts to Friday and the Lone Star Showdown in Austin.

A&M will travel to face 8-3 Texas with a chance to go 12-0, punch their ticket to Atlanta for the SEC Championship Game for the first time, stay firmly in the College Football Playoff top-three conversation and completely remove Texas from the playoff conversation.

This is more than a rivalry game. It’s a chance to establish the era of A&M football. It’s about proving that A&M isn’t just having a great year; they’re building something that will lead college football for years to come. This team will need to play its best football because this weekend is going to be nothing but Texas’s best.

This game is going to be nothing short of a dog fight. The Aggies will have to go into DKR and earn every bit of this victory.

The key for the Aggies this week will be starting fast. You can’t spot a team like Texas with any early momentum. The mistakes that they’ve made in previous games, like South Carolina, will not be something that they can do in this game. They have to play complete football with physicality, discipline, explosiveness and execution. If they do that, they’ll have every chance to leave Austin with every chance still in front of them.

The win over Samford was never about the opponent. It was about preparation, mindset and sharpening every edge before the storm ahead.

For Elko and his staff, you have to do everything possible to prepare this team for this moment. This game is another chance for Elko to have his defining moment for the Elko era. It’s a chance to prove to the entire country that A&M football is as real as it gets.

As someone who’s been part of this program, I can tell you that moments like this don’t come around often. You don’t hope for them. You earn them.

It’s time to go into their house and finish this season off the right way.

Gig ‘Em and BTHO t.u.