The first half of Texas A&M’s 2024 season ended with a 41-10 blowout win over the Missouri Tigers last Saturday afternoon. The Aggies have found their identity, leading to a 5-1 start and a 3-0 conference-leading record.
On defense, A&M’s pass rush, led by defensive ends Nic Scourton and Shemar Stewart, has found life, racking up six tackles and eight tackles for loss against the Tigers. In contrast, the return of starting quarterback Conner Weigman has led to a resurgence of offense through the air.
However, it’s been the ground game, and junior running back Le’Veon Moss, currently leading the SEC with 609 rushing yards, while finding every hole the revamped offensive line has provided him.
In the trenches, most of the 2023 offensive line returned this season under new O-line coach Adam Cushing, who followed head coach Mike Elko from Duke after a successful two-year stint. On Wednesday, during Elko’s appearance at the Houston Touchdown Club, the first-year leader praised Cushing coaching, as the Aggie O-line has been one of the better groups in the country through six games.
“I was extremely confident from the day he got here that he would make us the best OL we could be. Coach Cushing in one of the best OL coaches in the country. If I could send my son to play for anyone I’d send him to play for coach Cushing.”
Elko’s statement that he would send his own son to play under Cushing is an example of the veteran assistant’s leadership qualities and focus on developing talent, especially players like starting left tackle Trey Zuhn and starting left guard Chase Bisontis.
In pass protection, a weakness last season, A&M’s O-line has only allowed seven sacks in six games, the majority of which came during backup quarterback Marcel Reed’s three games under center. Even more impressive, the Aggies are ranked 8th nationally in tackles for loss allowed, with an average of only three per game.
Penalties have been an issue and need to be cleaned up after the bye week, but Adam Cushing has done his job and more.
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