Texas A&M heads into Week 10 with a road trip to Columbia, S.C., on deck, and the Aggies are leaning on a simple message as they get ready for No. 23 South Carolina: keep working.
After a bye week and a 31-20 loss to No. 13 Alabama in Week 8, Texas A&M sits at 4-4 overall and 1-4 in SEC play. One of the bright spots in a rocky season has been freshman running back KJ Edwards, who leads the team with 360 rushing yards and has scored two touchdowns in eight games.
The Carthage, Texas, native was especially effective in the first half against Alabama, averaging 5.38 yards per carry before an injury limited his role after halftime. This week, though, Edwards said he is healthy again and ready for another physical test against the Gamecocks.
At Tuesday’s player media availability, Edwards said the biggest challenge in his first year has been the grind away from the field as much as on it.
"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.
He said the setbacks Texas A&M has dealt with are part of the sport, and the focus now is on how the team responds.
"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 also described the approach he takes to handling the mental demands of college football.
"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.
His growth has shown up in the passing game, too, especially as a blocker.
"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."
And for Edwards, the increased workload has matched the opportunity he always wanted.
"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.
Linebacker Ray Coney, a transfer, joined Edwards at the podium and said the team’s mindset has stayed steady even with the losses piling up.
"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 also addressed the challenge of slowing South Carolina quarterback LaNorris Sellers, especially with 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.
For Texas A&M’s defense, the emphasis is on cleaning up the explosive plays.
"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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