Texas A&M’s Season Ends in Disappointment, But Not Without Progress
Texas A&M’s 2025 season came to a frustrating close with a 10-3 loss to Miami in the first round of the College Football Playoff - a game that played out in front of a packed Kyle Field but didn’t deliver the home-field magic Aggie fans were hoping for. Despite the sour ending, it’s hard to ignore just how far this team came under first-year head coach Mike Elko. An 11-1 regular season, a 7-1 SEC record - this was a team that exceeded expectations and reestablished itself as a legitimate contender in the national conversation.
But on Saturday, it just wasn’t enough.
A Missed Opportunity on Offense
Quarterback Marcel Reed struggled to find a rhythm against Miami’s defense, and it showed. Reed finished 25-of-39 for 237 yards and two interceptions, including the game-sealing pick in the end zone with under a minute left.
The Aggies had driven into the red zone with a chance to tie it, but Reed’s decision-making in crunch time came up short. His final Pro Football Focus (PFF) passing grade of 48.6 reflects the tough night through the air, though his 79.2 rushing grade shows he still made plays with his legs.
The offensive line had its hands full all night. While the box score credited Miami with seven sacks, PFF’s breakdown tells a slightly different story: just two sacks allowed, but a concerning 20 pressures. That number speaks to a group that held up at times but couldn’t consistently keep Reed clean.
One bright spot up front? Left tackle Trey Zuhn III. Despite drawing attention for his pregame comments about Miami’s Rueben Bain, Zuhn backed it up on the field with an 84.1 grade - the highest among Aggie offensive linemen.
Senior running back Le’Veon Moss led the skill position players with a 68.3 grade, though his impact was limited after leaving the game early with an injury. Wide receiver Mario Craver, who recently inked a major NIL deal to stay in College Station, showed why the Aggies are investing in him. He posted a team-high 92 receiving yards on seven catches, consistently finding ways to move the chains.
Here’s how the top offensive performers graded out, per PFF:
- RB Le’Veon Moss: 68.3
- WR Izaiah Williams: 67.4
- WR Mario Craver: 65.8
- OL Ar’maj Reed-Adams: 65.7
- **OL Mark Nabou Jr. **: 61.7
- OL Trey Zuhn III: 60.9
- RB EJ Smith: 60.9
- OL Robert Bourdon: 60.0
These numbers paint a picture of an offense that had moments but lacked the consistency and execution needed in a playoff setting.
Defense Flashes, But One Big Run Changes Everything
For most of the game, Texas A&M’s defense held its own. But one breakdown - a 50-plus-yard run by Miami’s Mark Fletcher - swung the momentum and ultimately decided the outcome. Fletcher’s burst through the Aggies' front seven set up the Hurricanes’ go-ahead touchdown late in the fourth quarter, and the Aggies never recovered.
Still, there were plenty of encouraging signs on that side of the ball.
Edge rusher Rylan Kennedy led the way with an 86.7 grade, showing the kind of explosiveness and motor that could make him a cornerstone for the defense moving forward. Safety Dalton Brooks was everywhere - leading the team with seven tackles, adding a sack and a tackle for loss, and finishing with an 88.7 coverage grade. He’s expected to return next season, and if this performance was any indication, he’s ready to be a leader.
The front seven held up well for most of the night, recording three sacks and seven total pressures. But Miami quarterback Carson Beck adjusted in the second half, getting the ball out quicker and neutralizing unanimous All-American edge rusher Cashius Howell, who couldn’t quite make the impact fans have come to expect.
In the secondary, Brooks was the standout, but he wasn’t alone. Four other defenders posted coverage grades over 70, and the unit allowed just 103 passing yards - a strong showing against a Miami team with speed on the outside.
Here are the top defensive grades from PFF:
- Edge Rylan Kennedy: 86.7
- S Dalton Brooks: 85.6
- DL Albert Regis: 78.5
- LB Taurean York: 77.2
- DL T.J. Searcy: 76.5
- LB Noah Mikhail: 74.7
- CB Will Lee III: 70.0
- LB Daymion Sanford: 69.2
This wasn’t the same defense we saw struggle in key moments last season. There’s real progress here, and with new defensive coordinator Lyle Hemphill, linebackers coach Travis Williams, and returning D-line coach Elijah Robinson already locked in, the foundation is being laid for a more consistent unit in 2026.
Looking Ahead
Yes, the Aggies ended the year with back-to-back losses - a tough pill to swallow for a program that had its sights set on a deeper playoff run. But this wasn’t a lost season. Far from it.
Mike Elko’s first year in charge brought stability, renewed energy, and a clear vision for where this program is headed. With key staff changes already in motion and the transfer portal about to heat up, Texas A&M is positioning itself to reload, not rebuild.
The loss to Miami stings. There’s no sugarcoating that. But if this season taught us anything, it’s that the Aggies are back in the national mix - and they’re not going anywhere.