COLLEGE STATION, Texas — Le’Veon Moss had a standout game, rushing for 139 yards and a touchdown as No. 9 Texas A&M edged out Auburn 16-10 on Saturday. This victory marked the Aggies’ best start, improving to 4-0, the first time since 2016.
“A lot of people said we couldn’t run the ball,” Moss noted. “This was our chance to show we could, thanks to the offensive line and backs.”
The Aggies faced some challenges offensively, but their defense excelled, limiting Auburn to just 176 total yards and shutting them out on third-down conversions.
Coach Mike Elko praised his team’s resilience. “We won two games without playing our best football,” he remarked. “That shows our character and culture.”
Quarterback Marcel Reed expressed pride in the team’s performance despite the struggles. “We are focusing on getting wins each day,” he said. “We didn’t find our best rhythm today, but we came through.”
Auburn scored late in the game after an interception by Xavier Atkins, turning the tide momentarily. But the Tigers couldn’t maintain the momentum. They struggled on offense, punting several times as the clock wound down.
“Offensively, that was unacceptable,” said Auburn coach Hugh Freeze. “Our defense worked hard enough to win.”
Auburn’s defense had been a strong point, ranked fifth nationally by allowing only 58.2 rushing yards per game. However, the Aggies achieved 207 rushing yards overall, with Moss averaging 6.6 yards per carry, even managing to perform well despite illness during the game.
“It was tough,” Moss shared. “I was dealing with a stomach bug, but I felt better as the game went on.”
The Aggies struck first with a one-yard touchdown run from Moss. Randy Bond contributed with field goals, while Reed threw for 207 yards, and KC Concepcion had a season-best 113 yards receiving.
Looking forward, both teams have areas to improve. Auburn needs to address their third-down execution, converting only 3 of 27 chances over the last two weeks—a statistic that glaringly highlights their struggles.
Elko expressed frustration at the media’s focus on any shortcomings instead of celebrating his team’s achievements. “Can we talk about being 4-0 for the first time since 2016?” he emphasized.
As the season progresses, both teams will aim to sharpen their game. Auburn will face Georgia on October 11, while Texas A&M will host Mississippi State next Saturday.
