Texas A&M football is gearing up for another ranked road showdown in Week 10, as they travel to Columbia, S.C., to face the No. 23 Gamecocks.
The Aggies boast a 4-4 overall record, including a 1-4 mark in the Southeastern Conference, and are coming off a much-needed bye week after a 31-20 loss to No. 13 Alabama in Week 8. One positive takeaway from the season so far has been Texas A&M's star freshman running back, KJ Edwards.
Edwards leads the team with 360 rushing yards and has recorded two touchdowns in eight games. The Carthage, Texas, native was rolling in the first half against the Crimson Tide, averaging 5.38 yards per carry before seeing little to no action in the second half due to an injury.
However, the electric freshman joined transfer
linebacker Ray Coney for this week's player press conference and said he is back healthy and raring to compete for Texas A&M against a physical South Carolina defense.
Here are quotes from Edwards and Coney during Tuesday's player media availability, as the Aggies prepare for their road trip to face the Gamecocks on Saturday:
Edwards discusses what's been the biggest challenge he's had to overcome in his first year of college football
"I'd say the mental side. People think it's all about football, but it's really trying to maintain school and all that. Really, just the mental side of the game" Edwards said.
Edwards on how frustrating the downfalls this year have been for himself and the Aggies
"I wouldn't say frustrating, it's just part of the game. It's all about how you respond to adversity. This is November and it's all about how we respond, starting this week," Edwards said.
Edwards explains how he approaches the mental aspect of the game
"It's a day-by-day process, not really trying to rush anything. Just going at it one (thing) at a time, not trying to really focus on anything outside, but the play that's in front of me right now," Edwards said.
Edwards on how his game has grown since arriving at Texas A&M
"Really, I'd say pass game. I kind of struggled in high school blocking. I got here during fall camp (and) I perfected my craft. Now, I feel like I'm able to block bigger guys."
Edwards' thoughts on his uptick in workload during his freshman year
"I always had dreams and aspirations of playing at a big SEC school. I felt like (Texas A&M) was the best place for me and my family. I always dreamed of being on a big stage like this," Edwards said.
Coney discusses the mentality of the team entering Week 10
"Everybody's attitude coming into practice every day, like it would have been so easy, especially when you had that success last year to come here after a couple losses and like give up," Coney said. "But, the way we just come back to practice, that message that Coach Elko keep’s giving is just keep grinding. All we can do is just keep grinding, keep getting better, and I feel like we have.”
Coney on preparing for South Carolina quarterback LaNorris Sellers and his ability to run
"You just got to be under control. He's not one of those guys that's going to go down easy. We just know we got to come wrap him up, be under control and keep him on the ground," Coney said.
Coney discusses how Texas A&M's defense can limit the explosive plays moving forward
"It starts with accountability (and) everybody owning up to whatever we need to work on better. We know if we can stop the explosive plays, we can be a really good defense. We're working on that every day to continue to work on getting better," Coney said.
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This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: 'Just keep grinding': Texas A&M LB, RB discuss mentality entering Week 10
