Texas A&M's 50-0 win over Missouri State was the largest shutout for the Aggies since 1997, and while starting quarterback Marcel Reed impressed after completing 21/30 for 233 yards and 2 touchdowns, Texas A&M's defense was elite, holding the Bears to just 67 total yards, including 30 passing yards.
No matter what Missouri State coach Casey Woods, who served as SMU's OC last season, tried, Texas A&M's secondary and revamped defensive line placed quarterback Skyler Locklear in a tough position on every drive, but this weekend, the Aggies will host Arizona State, who scored 70 points against Morgan State last Saturday night.
Entering the 2026 season, Texas A&M's linebacker rotation, now featuring Tulsa transfer Ray Coney, was widely seen as a question
mark after three-year starter Taurean York departed for the NFL, but combined with sophomore Noah Mikhail, both players led the Aggies with 13 tackles, while Ray Coney looked comfortable in the green dot role as the quarterback of the defense.
Senior LB Daymion Sanford did not play Saturday, but is expected to make his season debut against the Sun Devils. On Tuesday, Ray Coney spoke to the local media for the first time this season, discussing his comfort in the system and what it's like to step in as one of the new veteran voices.
"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.
So, why Texas A&M? Ray Coney must have paid attention to Mike Elko's development track record and background as one of the top defensive playcallers, as his NFL-level skill set has caught the eyes of scouts eager to watch the senior defender become one of the Aggies' top defensive playmakers.
"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."
For Texas A&M to avoid the upset and leave Kyle Field 2-0 on the year, Coney and the rest of A&M's defense must contain quarterback Cutter Boley and prevent explosive plays.
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This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: 'It just felt right': LB Ray Coney on why he chose Texas A&M
