Everything Texas A&M HC Mike Elko, players said after 45-42 win over Arkansas

[ASFN Admin]

Texas A&M went into Fayetteville and squeaked out a hard-fought 45–42 victory over a highly talented Arkansas Razorbacks offense led by quarterback Taylen Green. This game always induces heart palpitations, and, unfortunately, SEC officials didn’t select Arkansas as a permanent opponent. That’s a gripe for another day.

The Aggie offense stole the show on Saturday, fending off every attempt by the Razorbacks to seize the lead. Marcel Reed clocked in with his best performance of the season, racking up 335 total yards and five touchdowns.

The defense, however, left much to be desired and cannot afford another showing like that if postseason success is the goal. Wide receivers were left wide open, players lacked discipline in run fits, and the tackling was abysmal. While they did manage a few big plays, it wasn’t frequent enough to give the Aggie offense a breather.

Now, for the first time since 1994, the Aggies are 7–0 and have proven they can win in a variety of ways. The one method still eluding them is a complete game from both the offense and defense. For now, a win is a win, and Coach Mike Elko will take it—but he won’t let the defensive performance slide.

Here’s everything head coach Mike Elko, safety Marcus Ratcliffe, and wide receiver Ashton Bethel-Roman said after the win over the Razorbacks:

Coach Elko on the close game​

"It doesn't matter where we play this game. This is how it's going to go."

Coach Elko Marcel Reed's play in the win​

"I thought that was Marcel (Reed)'s best game of the year. He made plays with his arm and his leg."

Coach Elko on the offensive efficiency​

"The offense never let them get the ball back with a chance to get the lead. I thought that was huge."

Coach Elko on the defense​

"Defensively, we picked a really, really bad time to have a bad game."

"We didn't play anywhere near the standard of Texas A&M football, ever, at any point."

Coach Elko on E.J. Smith​

"He's a talented back. We have a lot of talented backs. He got going a little bit. Got running behind his pads."

Coach Elko on the fourth down decisions​

"We were going to be aggressive because it was going to be a high scoring game. We knew our advantage was our offense against their defense."

Coach Elko speaks more about Marcel​

"I thought he was calm in the pocket. I thought he delivered the ball where it was supposed to go."

Coach Elko on the 7-0 start​

"We're making winning plays. We understand how to make winning plays. There's a lot of positives. Four straight SEC wins. Now two big road wins."

Coach Elko on the halftime defense adjustments​

"We were trying to adjust all game. At times, it felt like we were. In the second half, we played cleaner. I don't think we had the massive busts. In the first half, I thought we handed them a lot. We were not very good."

Coach Elko on Rueben Owens​

"Obviously, ran hard. Made some things happen."

Safety Marcus Ratcliffe on Arkansas QB Taylen Green​

"He's a superior athlete. Super fast. Super quick. Like you saw he gave us some trouble.

Safety Marcus Ratcliffe on the Aggie offense​

"It's such a blessing to have an offense that can play complimentary football. When the defense wasn't playing very good the offense stepped up."

Wide receiver Ashton Bethel-Roman on his TD​

"Me and Marcel just connected all week. Just took what we did in practice and brought it to the game."

Wide receiver Ashton Bethel-Roman is stepping up​

"It feels great. Anyone in that locker room can do anything. That's what we can here to do. When our number is called we just play up to our standard."

Wide receiver Ashton Bethel-Roman on when he thought they would win​

"Probably when E.J. (Smith) went for it on fourth down and he got hit in the backfield and kept running. I thought, yeah, we're good."

Wide receiver Ashton Bethel-Roman on the team's mentality​

"We've got dogs everywhere. We want to just keep showing the world we've got dogs."

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes, and opinions. Follow Jarrett Johnson on X: @whosnextsports1.

This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Everything A&M HC Mike Elko, players said after win over Arkansas

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