As the Texas A&M Aggies gear up for their season opener against Missouri State on Saturday at 6 p.m. at Kyle Field, head coach Mike Elko is looking forward to moving past the preseason discussions and into actual competition. Elko, who is entering his third season with the Aggies, expressed his eagerness to stop speculating about the team's potential and to start evaluating their performance on the field.
During a press conference earlier this week, Elko emphasized the importance of transitioning from talk to action. "Finally, we get to stop talking about what things can be, what things can be about and we get to run out of the tunnel and go play somebody else. It’s beyond past the time to go do that," he stated, highlighting the anticipation surrounding the upcoming matchup.
The Aggies are entering the season with high expectations, having earned a preseason ranking of No. 8. This follows a strong performance last year, where the team achieved 11 wins, marking their best season in over a decade. Despite a disappointing finish with losses to Texas and Miami in the College Football Playoff, the foundation for success has been laid, and Elko is optimistic about the team's capabilities.
Key players returning for Texas A&M include quarterback Marcel Reed and wide receiver Mario Craver, alongside impactful transfers such as defensive end Anto Saka and left tackle Tyree Adams. The Aggies will look to leverage this mix of returning talent and new additions as they face off against Missouri State, a team that made the transition from FCS to FBS last season and managed to secure seven victories.
Missouri State's new head coach, Casey Woods, who previously served as the offensive coordinator at SMU, presents a fresh challenge for the Aggies. Elko noted that the coaching staff has been studying film from various teams to prepare for the Bears' offense, which adds an element of uncertainty to the matchup. However, Elko stressed that the focus for Texas A&M will primarily be on their own performance rather than on their opponent.
"We’ve elevated ourselves to be a team that has made the playoff, has competed to go to the SEC championship, has finished in the top 10," Elko remarked. He acknowledged that while the potential is there, it remains to be seen whether this year's team can achieve similar success.
In addition to the game preparations, Elko announced that Illinois transfer David Olano has secured the starting kicker position, edging out freshman Asher Murray. Olano, who has a successful track record with a career field goal percentage of 86%, brings valuable experience to the role, having started for the Fighting Illini over the past two seasons.
As the Aggies prepare for their season opener, Elko remains focused on building a strong foundation for the team. He also noted that linebacker Daymion Sanford is expected to play, although his status will be a game-time decision. Following the recent NFL cut day, Elko proudly mentioned that 32 Texas A&M players made NFL rosters, including Los Angeles Rams star Myles Garrett, underscoring the program's success in developing talent.
Finally, Texas A&M will honor its former head coach R.C. Slocum with the unveiling of a new statue outside Kyle Field on Friday. Slocum, who led the Aggies from 1989 to 2002, is celebrated for his impressive record and contributions to the program. Elko expressed hope that many fans will attend the ceremony, recognizing Slocum's legacy as the winningest coach in Texas A&M history.
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