Texas A&M opened its 2026 season with a statement and a little unfinished business.
The Aggies rolled past Missouri State 50-0 on Saturday in College Station, the program’s biggest shutout margin since the 67-0 win over Prairie View A&M on Sep. 10, 2016.
Even with that kind of lopsided result, there was still a sense Texas A&M left points on the table. The first half came with plenty of offensive rust, especially up front, before the Aggies’ offensive line settled in and helped the Maroon and White finish with more than 500 yards of offense, including 236 on the ground.
So the scoreboard says dominance. The tape says there’s still room to grow before Arizona State arrives next week.
At quarterback, Marcel Reed put together a clean, efficient night. He threw for 233 yards and two touchdowns while completing 70% of his passes, and he did it while handling early pressure from breakdowns along the offensive line.
Reed kept the ball out of danger, got it to his playmakers, and used his legs well enough to keep Missouri State off balance, finishing with 20 rushing yards while repeatedly escaping the pocket for chunk gains. For a Week 1 showing, it was a strong one, with more upside once the offense opens up beyond the basic stuff.
The backfield also gave Texas A&M plenty to like. Rueben Owens II posted 102 all-purpose yards, including 77 on the ground with a 4.5 yards-per-carry average.
As a group, the Aggies ran for 236 yards on 47 carries, and their top three backs each cleared at least 44 rushing yards. Freshman Carsyn Baker made an immediate impression, finishing second on the team with 55 rushing yards and scoring his first collegiate touchdown, while KJ Edwards added 44 yards and averaged 8.8 per carry.
The receiver room had a mixed night. There were some costly moments, including an Isaiah Horton drop and fumble plus an Ashton Bethel-Roman drop near the sideline.
But Texas A&M also got production spread around, with four different receivers finding the end zone. The group finished with 18 catches, 211 yards and three receiving touchdowns, while Terry Bussey added a touchdown on the ground.
For a unit loaded with depth, this looked more like a starting point than a finished product.
The tight ends had a quiet opener. Micah Riley was the only one to catch a pass, and he ended with two receptions for 13 yards. With this group expected to do plenty of blocking, there’s still a need for more as a receiving outlet for Reed in the middle of the field.
The biggest early issue came from the offensive line, which had a shaky first half before settling in after the break. Texas A&M allowed two sacks and committed three penalties before halftime, then gave up one more penalty and no sacks over the final two quarters.
The staff rotated players throughout the night, even with the game already under control, and the first group out there - Tyree Adams, Blake Ivy, Mark Nabou, Trovon Baugh and Wilkin Formby - was the combination GigEm247 expected all camp. That group may be the best five, but it won’t be the only five to see the field this season.
Still, tougher opponents are coming, and this unit has to get more consistent.
Defensively, the line didn’t light up the stat sheet, but it still made an impact. Ryan Henderson had the team’s lone sack, and the group finished with 17 tackles and 2½ tackles for loss. More than the numbers, the front made things miserable for Missouri State and kept quarterback Skyler Locklear from ever settling in.
The linebackers were the clear headliner. Without captain Daymion Sanford taking a snap, Noah Mikhail and Ray Coney still controlled the middle of the defense and led the team in tackles with seven and six.
Coney also added a half tackle for loss, while Jordan Lockhart chipped in two tackles. The most striking number of the night was Missouri State’s 67 total yards, the lowest total allowed under Elko, and the linebackers were a major reason why.
The secondary had little to do in a game where Missouri State’s passing attack never got going, but Julio Humphrey stood out in coverage and Dezz Ricks did the same on the other side. At safety, Tawfiq Byard was out, and Myles Davis filled in well, finishing with four tackles, third-most on the team.
Special teams were a clear upgrade. David Olano and Asher Murray both converted field goals, with kicks from 28 and 47 yards.
Overall, it was a solid night for Mike Elko and his staff. Texas A&M handled business in convincing fashion, and there’s enough on the film for Elko to challenge his team before next week.
Week 1 can be messy, and this one had its rough patches early. But it’s hard to argue with a 50-0 win, especially one that came with plenty still to clean up.
Elko is in Year 3, and the Aggies look like a team that’s building something sustainable. Winning by 50 without their best performance says plenty about where they are right now.
In Other News...
Texas A&M Opener Brings An Early Depth Concern Fans Didn't Want
Texas A&Ms season opener against Missouri State is already offering a first look at the Aggies depth, and not in the way fans would have hoped. Safety Tawfiq Byard and wide receiver Madden Williams are both not dressed out for the game, leaving the staff to adjust its rotation before the first snap of the year.
Byard, a Colorado transfer who was expected to factor into the defensive mix, gives the secondary an early test, while Williams, a true freshman receiver lower on the chart, is unavailable on offense. The Aggies will have to lean on other options to absorb those snaps, including Chance Collins at safety, as the opener becomes an early reminder that roster depth matters fast in a season like this. [Read more 🡒]
Texas A&M Is Suddenly In Position For A Statement Recruiting Flip
Texas A&Ms recruiting momentum is getting another test this weekend, with the Aggies hosting Florida State defensive back commitment ZaKari Johnson while they take on Missouri State. Johnson, a four-star prospect ranked 296th nationally, pledged to the Seminoles about two months ago, but the Aggies have stayed in the mix and are making him a priority as they work to build on what is already the top-ranked 2027 class.
For Texas A&M, this is the kind of visit that can matter well beyond one player. The staff has been active in pursuing recruits committed elsewhere, and Johnson gives them another chance to show a top national target what life in College Station could look like. Whether the visit simply keeps the door open or pushes things further, it is another sign that the Aggies are trying to turn their recruiting pitch into something bigger. [Read more 🡒]
Texas A&M Already Has A Secondary Concern Fans Didn't Expect
Texas A&M opened the season with a small but notable wrinkle in the secondary, as safety Tawfiq Byard was not dressed out for the matchup with Missouri State. The Colorado transfer was brought in to add depth on the back end, not as a full-time starter, but his absence still left the Aggies without a piece they expected to have available in the first game.
Byards status raised immediate questions because there was no injury report to explain why he was sidelined. For a defense trying to settle into the year, even a reserve piece matters, especially in the secondary where depth can disappear fast if the first wave of adjustments starts early. Whether this is a one-game situation or something more lingering, it was not the start Texas A&M fans expected to see from a player who figured to help stabilize the rotation. [Read more 🡒]