After securing its largest shutout victory since 1997, a 50-0 win over Missouri State in the season opener, the Texas A&M Aggies now turn their attention to Saturday's showdown against one of the Big 12's most talented representatives.
The slew of talented transfers on this year's squad, including former LSU tackle Tyree Adams and Tulsa linebacker Ray Coney, made their respective impacts in their first games for the Aggies. Adams helped pave the way for Texas A&M to record 505 yards of total offense, while Coney was second on the team with six total tackles and 0.5 tackles for loss against the Bears.
Now, the Aggies are turning the page to Week 2, which features a heavyweight bout against Arizona State at Kyle Field on Saturday.
Here is everything
the transfer stars said during Texas A&M's weekly player media availability ahead of the matchup against the Sun Devils:
Adams gives his thoughts on Texas A&M's performance in the season opener
"I really feel good. I felt like we made strides. In the first half, it wasn't what we really wanted, what we expected. We kind of came out there kind of lasidasical, but in the second half we kind of picked it up, after hearing what Coach Elko had to say," Adams said.
Adams previews Arizona State
"They're a great team. Very well-coached, (their) defensive line (is) great, linebackers, safeties, corners, everybody... they're good," Adams said. "We have to come out swinging, honestly. I feel this offense, this team, defense, special teams, everybody... we really lock in and hone in on our process, we'll come out with the dub."
Adams on how the offensive line meshed in Week 1
"It was some growing pains at first just getting used to all the new guys and everybody that was coming in (and) seeing what the tendencies are... seeing what they like, what they don't like like, but I feel like we actually came together as one o-line... the Maroon Goons," Adams said.
Adams speaks on the growth of the unit's chemistry
"Each and every day, each and every second, we're getting closer and that's the biggest thing with an offensive line. Just get closer to each other, just so we know if somebody's down, we can understand (and) they don't even have to say it. We automatically know what's going on, then after that we can build them up and we can be unstoppable," Adams said.
Adams' response to exceeding expectations and repeating last year's success in College Station
"Honestly, we just block out the noise. We really aren't too much on social media and what they have to say. It's all about what's in this room and what's in this building," Adams said. "We just lock in on Coach (Adam) Cushing's word and Coach Elko's word and everything will fall into place."
Coney explains why he committed to Texas A&M and wanted to play for the Aggies in 2026
"Just seeing the success of the program and how they developed players. You get 13 people going to the (NFL) Combine, that's not a coincidence. That's real development coming from within," Coney said. "It just felt right."
Coney on how it's been stepping into the role of a veteran voice on the defensive unit
"It's been pretty easy. At some places, you'll be a new guy and it's hard to get your voice out there, but I feel like with them, they really embrace me and being a veteran guy. Anything I say, is coming from a good place," Coney said.
Coney discusses the improvements he and the defense have made from the spring to now
"Just getting down the schemes. It was tough. Most people really got that down. We always knew we had the talent. Now that we're in the right spots, we can really make plays," Coney said. "It was a lot. I wasn't doing all this back then (at Tulsa). Once I started trusting myself and stopped overthinking, everything just flowed."
Coney talks about his college football journey
"It was a cracy journey. When you really look back on it, everything went fast, but just seeing my growth coming from an FCS school...everything just happened for a reason," Coney said.
Coney discusses the talent on defense and what the ceiling is for the unit
"It could be the best defense in the country, easily. Our expectation is to be the best defense in the country and we harp on that every day," Coney said. "We're never satisfied. We're always trying to go get it and stay hungry."
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This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: 'We have to come out swinging': Texas A&M LT, LB preview Arizona State
