Texas A&M’s first 4-0 start since the 2016 season isn’t based around luck, as second-year head coach Mike Elko immediately went to work this offseason to retain a majority of his 2024 roster, while adding more than a dozen players from the transfer portal, led by transfer wide receivers KC Concpecion and Mario Craver.
After defeating UTSA and Utah State to start the year, Texas A&M’s defense didn’t struggle per se, but allowed 20-plus points in both wins, while senior cornerback Will Lee III struggled in coverage. However, starting quarterback Marcel Reed’s improvement in the pocket, paired with Concepcion and Cravers bursting onto the scene, led to the Aggie offense dominating on the big stage against Notre Dame in South Bend.
After defeating the Fighting Irish 41-40, Texas A&M’s offense looked like the team’s primary strength, but all Mike Elko needed was a bye week to clean up his defense’s issues, leading to last Saturday’s 16-10 win over Auburn, where the Aggies limited the Tigers to 177 yards and 52 rushing yards, while sacking quarterback Jackson Arnold seven times.
Even more impressive, Elko and Jay Bateman’s defense shut down Auburn to 0-13 on 3rd down, which, in today’s college football age, is nearly impossible to accomplish.
On Saturday morning, ESPN “College Gameday” analyst and former Alabama head coach Nick Saban is very familiar with Mike Elko’s frustrating third-down defense, dating back to Alabama’s loss to Texas A&M in Kyle Field during the 2021 season.
“Mike Elko, when we played against them, it was always a problem, especially on 3rd and 5-plus,” Saban stated. “If you can stay ahead of the sticks and they get there third down stuff in with the way they pressure, your’re in trouble.”
Like Saban, Elko is regarded as one of the most respected defensive minds in college football. After taking over as the defensive playcaller this season, the defense has responded and will (hopefully) continue to dominate on the big stage.
This season, Texas A&M currently ranks 10th in the nation in third-down defense, with a conversion rate of 24.6%. Compared to last season’s 35.4% rate, this is a stark improvement. For more background on Elko’s third-down defense, read Travis Brown’s recent article here.
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