Texas A&M's 17-9 loss to No. 21 South Carolina on Saturday wasn't because the Aggies couldn't move the football. Instead, the biggest questions following the game centered on why that production failed to translate into points.
Texas A&M finished with 457 total yards, controlled possession for nearly 10 additional minutes and received a season-high 137 rushing yards from Rueben Owens II. However, the Aggies couldn't capitalize on several promising drives, repeatedly coming away empty-handed or settling for field goals.
Two false-start penalties near the goal line and a dropped touchdown pass proved particularly costly in the third quarter. Kicker David Olano also missed a 30-yard field goal, his first unsuccessful attempt of the season.
The Aggies
carried a 9-7 advantage into the fourth quarter before South Carolina scored 10 unanswered points to secure its fourth consecutive victory. The Gamecocks took the lead on a field goal before quarterback LaNorris Sellers delivered the decisive blow with a 41-yard touchdown run.
For head coach Mike Elko, the result added another difficult chapter to a season that began with College Football Playoff expectations. Texas A&M is now 4-5 overall and guaranteed its first losing SEC record under Elko.
With Tennessee, Oklahoma and Texas remaining on the schedule, the Aggies must win at least two of their final three games to become bowl eligible. Saturday's missed opportunities will undoubtedly remain a major talking point as Texas A&M prepares for its final home stretch.
Here's what Elko and Texas A&M players had to say following Saturday's loss.
Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko initial thoughts after the game
"Another disappointing finish. For a large part of that game, I thought we played the way we wanted to."
"Really bad in the red zone. Really bad composure in the second half in the red zone. We can't get down there as much as we did and not come away with points."
Mike Elko on the run game
"We challenged them to be physical. We thought that would be a big part of the game… We did what we wanted to do until the red area, and in the red area, we couldn't finish."
Mike Elko on the fake field goal attempt
"I thought we had the look. The film will show we had exactly what we wanted. I thought we blocked it how we wanted. Unfortunately, we didn't get the run we needed."
Mike Elko on KJ Edwards & Jamarion Morrow
"KJ (Edwards) had the flu this week. He was on the injury list because of that. Jamarion Morrow is banged up a little bit. He wasn't 100 percent ready to go. We have a ton of confidence in Rueben (Owens)… He was hot out there and ran the ball well."
Mike Elko on Marcel Reed's final two passes
"I thought the first throw to Aaron Gregory, he gave him a chance. It was out of Aaron's reach, but he gave him a chance. That's what you have to do. The second one, it got away from him."
Mike Elko on Mario Craver
"He was limited. He got rolled up early. He gutted it out, and at halftime, it tightened up on him."
Mike Elko on Reed's play overall
"I thought he played well… I thought that was his best game of the year, and I thought we operated, for the most part, better than we have for most of the year."
Texas A&M linebacker Ray Coney on the mood of the locker room
"It sucks. In the week, you put in so much work, and for three quarters, you see the work paying off. In that fourth, we have continued to get better."
Ray Coney on the defense's progress
"We have been making progress, but at the same time, a loss is a loss. We have to figure out somehow to claw, dig and find a way to win."
Texas A&M running back Rueben Owens II on his big day
"I had a good two weeks of practice. Coach and my OL gave me the opportunity, and I put it out there."
Reuben Owens II on closing out games
"We have to win the fourth quarter. That's the bottom line. We have to put it all together."
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This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Everything Texas A&M HC, players said after loss to South Carolina
