Texas A&M's 48-20 win over Arizona State was one of the weirdest outcomes during Mike Elko's tenure, as the Aggies led 17-10 going into halftime, even though the Sun Devils looked like the better team, especially quarterback Cutter Boley and wide receiver Reed Harris.
However, Texas A&M's defense, outside of giving up a field goal and a 58-yard touchdown reception to Harris, shut down ASU in the second half, which included sophomore Edge Marco Jones' pick-six, followed by senior cornerback Julio Humphrey's pick-six that was a part of a 24-point fourth-quarter finish.
Overall, Texas A&M's offense did not play well, despite quarterback Marcel Reed's three touchdowns, 255 total yards, and just 92 rushing yards; if you saw these numbers without watching
the game, I wouldn't be surprised if confusion set in.
Resilience and overcoming early adversity were key to Saturday's win, as Mike Elko noted during the postgame press conference, saying the offense and defense made the necessary "winning plays" that led to Marcel Reed's two second-half touchdowns and the defensive scores that sealed the win.
"You've got to be able to overcome adversity if you want to be a really, really good football team. There were times when that showed itself today. Offensively, putting a drive together when they got things rolling. Defensively, after the turnover, stepping up and making a play. I thought we were able to overcome some of the adversity today. That was really good to see," Elko said.
Texas A&M's offense has not had a complete game this season, and Saturday's performance was, for Mike Elko and OC Holmon Wiggins' sake, the worst we'll see the rest of the season, knowing that SEC play officially begins on Saturday against Kentucky in Kyle Field.
Still, Texas A&M's defense making progress is a great sign, especially if Mike Elko continues to have a larger role in the play calling.
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This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Texas A&M must continue to 'overcome adversity' heading into SEC play
