Texas A&M decided to part ways with coach Jimbo Fisher last year, with $75 million left on his contract after another disappointing season. So far, results under coach Mike Elko haven’t shown much improvement.
Ranked No. 25, Texas A&M, a 22½-point favorite, barely beat Bowling Green 26-20 on Saturday night in a messy game full of mistakes.
This victory came after the Aggies lost at home to Notre Dame to start the season, followed by wins against McNeese State, an FCS school, and the struggling Florida Gators.
When asked what frustrated him the most about the game against Bowling Green, Elko took a deep breath before responding.
“It was a lot,” he said.
The Aggies allowed a 65-yard touchdown pass to tight end Harold Fannin Jr. on the first play of the second half, and the Falcons narrowed the lead to three points with a 40-yard reverse later in the third quarter.
Bowling Green blocked a punt on the next drive, but the Aggies managed to maintain their lead when Jackson Kleather missed a 28-yard field goal.
With about two minutes left, it seemed they had the game secured when Marcus Ratcliffe intercepted a pass in the end zone. However, Le’Veon Moss fumbled on the following play, giving the Falcons another chance.
Elko mentioned, “Just so many things to fix and clean up, and we’ve got to get back to work Monday and get a lot better.”
He was especially disappointed with the defense regarding Fannin, who was left open for his touchdown.
“We did a horrible job managing the tight end all night,” he said. “Obviously he was their best player. We knew it coming in and we let him go for eight for 145. That’s not acceptable.”
Texas A&M struggled to finish drives in the second game with Marcel Reed starting at quarterback instead of Conner Weigman, who is dealing with a shoulder injury.
After the game, Elko stated that Weigman still feels pain in his shoulder, and they are working to help him “where he can throw comfortably.”
