Texas A&M football had a lead on the road against No. 13 Alabama, but the Aggies couldn't maintain it in the fourth quarter, dropping a 31-20 decision to the Crimson Tide.
The Aggies boasted a 20-1 record while leading through the first three quarters under head coach Mike Elko entering the contest, but the Crimson Tide mounted a comeback in the fourth quarter to secure a crucial conference win. Texas A&M made several costly mistakes, including punting the ball down 11 points with four minutes remaining, dropping them to 3-4 on the year and 1-4 in SEC play. However, the program finally snapped its touchdown drought against ranked opponents, which lasted more than 330 days.
Entering a much-needed bye week, Elko and company have a lot of soul-searching to do. Junior quarterback Marcel Reed was anything but efficient for most of the contest, throwing two interceptions and fumbling a snap on a crucial fourth down in the fourth quarter, sparking Alabama's comeback win.
Here is everything Elko, Reed and linebacker Daymion Sanford said after Texas A&M's heartbreaking loss to the Crimson Tide on Saturday:
Elko on the offensive downfalls and shortcomings
"The story on offense was the start, the two turnovers leading directly to seven points. Put it together for a little while after that and then just really couldn't get anything going in the second half," Elko said. "Got to a point, again, where we were down and trying to chase a game and we're not built to do that. That's on me as a coach. We're not where we need to be at all in that regard."
Elko discusses the fourth-quarter fourth-down miscommunication that sparked Alabama's comeback
"We didn't call a play. I don't know why we snapped the ball," Elko said. "We were trying to draw them offsides and the center just snapped the ball" Elko said.
Elko explains why KJ Edwards didn't receive more second-half snaps
"Yeah, he got banged up. He was trying to fight through it. We got him back a little bit in the second half, but he had a deep contusion," Elko said.
Elko's comments about considering benching Reed for Brady Hart
"Yes, for sure, a thought. We couldn't continue to go that way, but Marcel went back out there and battled," Elko said.
Reed on the miscommunication with center Mark Nabou Jr.
"It was a miscommunication up front that we can't have. It was supposed to be a draw-them-offsides play. We didn't execute it the right way," Reed said.
Reed's thoughts on Texas A&M warming up backup Brady Hart
"I really wasn't aware if my leash was short or not. It's up to me when my name is called to go out there and play. If they decide they want to go with Brady, I am right behind him, supporting him because I know how good of a quarterback he is as well," Reed said.
Reed on the disappointing loss to Alabama
"It's definitely frustrating. We felt like we had a good week of practices and thought we were prepared for this game. I think we were, but we didn't execute down the stretch when we needed to," Reed said.
Reed discusses the mentality entering the bye week
"Getting healthy, clearing our minds and coming back and winning these last four games," Reed said.
Sanford's thoughts on the performance against the Tide
"I feel like we came out physical. We started like that in practice. We have to finish. In the fourth quarter, we let it down a little bit," Sanford said.
Sanford discusses some of the breakdowns in coverage
"We just got lazy with our eyes and that's ultimately why (they) made plays," Sanford said.
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This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: 'We have to finish': Texas A&M HC, players discuss Alabama loss