Everything HC Mike Elko said ahead of Texas A&M's Week 11 Bye Week
Texas A&M (7-2, 5-1 SEC) is headed into the second bye week of the season, just two days after falling to South Carolina 44-20 in the most lopsided loss of the season and the first SEC loss of the year after reeling off seven consecutive wins.
While the Aggies can technically afford to drop two games regarding the 12-team College Football Playoff, Saturday's loss did damage their odds. At the same time, the news that starting running back Le'Veon Moss will miss the rest of the season certainly added to the pain.
However, with winnable games vs. New Mexico State and Auburn over the next three weeks before hosting Texas, the Aggies are in a good position to land one of the 12 playoff spots. On Monday, head coach Mike Elko spoke to the local media, reflecting on the loss while looking forward to finishing strong this season despite facing tremendous adversity.
Here is everything Elko had to say on Monday afternoon.
Mike Elko on what went wrong vs. South Carolina
"Not really too many ways to sugarcoat, we played a really bad game."
"Defensively, it starts with me. We had a poor plan. Offensively, it starts with with me. We had a poor plan… We didn't do the things we needed to. We address it. We own it and realize everything is still in front of us."
Elko on Texas A&M's poor tacking vs. QB LaNorris Sellers
"Honestly, I think what it was, when you watch the tape, we did a poor job of understanding we were tackling a TE, not a QB."
"We tried to emphasize it, but it didn't get done."
Elko on how he'll address the now paper thin RB rotation
"I think we will try to look at everything on the table. We are confident in Amari (Daniels). EJ (Smith) will be the primary backup. At this point, everything is on the table."
Elko on RB Rueben Owen's possible return this season
"Probably not realistic. When we initially diagnosed it, it was if the season was extended."
"He is just now getting to the point where he can start testing it."
Elko on the CFP Playoff projections release on Tuesday
" I would imagine that if we win our next three games, everything will take care of itself."
Elko on if freshman Terry Bussey could see snaps at RB
"Terry (Bussey) is talented… Understanding he is still a freshman, that is maybe lost a little bit."
"He is effective in the role he's in, and we are trying to expand that role."
Elko on getting back to the basics in practice over the next two weeks
"We have to go back to work and make the improvements that need to be made for that not to happen again."
Elko on his players bouncing back from their poor performance
"Kids are a lot better than people think at bouncing back. We talk about human nature… It is to respond positively. Human nature fuels your response. Nobody in this building is proud or happy about anything that just happened."
Elko on the Aggies' failed 4th down attempts
"The fourth downs in our own territory… If they were fourth and one, we wouldn't have gone for it. They were fourth and a half-yard situations. We should get that."
"What eats you alive as a coach is the play call when it doesn't go the way you want it to go."
Elko on RB Le'Veon Moss's devastating season-ending injury
"Same thing happened with Tyreek (Chappell). When you see young people turn a corner… You hate for anyone to see adversity, but you hate to see it for those kids. You would like to reward them with a clean path."
"It's extremely unfortunate for him. He was having a great year."
This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Everything HC Mike Elko said ahead of Texas A&M's Week 11 Bye Week
