Tag: Conner Weigman

Instant reactions to No. 14 Texas A&M football team’s win over Mississippi State

Following Saturday’s matchup between the Aggies and Bulldogs, we break down our instant reaction.

The Texas A&M football team returned from a bye this week with a conference road matchup at struggling Mississippi State, which was much closer than it should’ve been.

The No. 14 Aggies (6-1, 4-0 SEC) beat the Bulldogs (1-6, 0-4) by a final score of 34-24 on Saturday evening at Davis Wade Stadium in Starkville. While any double-digit victory in the SEC may look impressive on paper, this win was anything but that.

With Texas A&M well-rested following the week off, the Aggies should’ve dominated. Junior quarterback Conner Weigman‘s fourth quarter interception brought the game within one score and more stressful than it should’ve been.

It would have been one thing if Texas A&M jumped out to a big lead, put its backups in and the final score was closer than the matchup truly was. A prime example of that was the conference victory at Florida earlier this year.

Ultimately, the Aggies won their sixth game in a row and remained unbeaten in conference play, which is nothing to be scoffed at. However, if Texas A&M plans to be a true contender and qualify for the expanded College Football Playoff this season, the Aggies need to take care of lesser opponents early.

Otherwise, the top-ranked Longhorns will embarrass Texas A&M to conclude the regular season at Kyle Field in November and squash any hopes for the program’s first national championship in the modern era.

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Texas A&M’s uniform against Mississippi State has been revealed

Here is Texas A&M’s uniform combination ahead of Saturday’s road test vs. Mississippi State

Texas A&M (5-1, 3-0 SEC) is just a few hours away from facing Mississippi State (1-5, 0-3 SEC) inside a packed Davis Wade Stadium in a game where the Aggies are heavy road favorites have reeling off five consecutive wins.

However, coming off the first of two bye weeks this season, A&M could deal with some early-game rust, while the Bulldogs are a week removed from one of their best offensive showings in last Saturday’s road loss to Georgia. This game will come down to the Aggie offense, especially the ground game led by junior running back Le’Veon Moss.

Ahead of the matchup, Texas A&M will be highly visible compared to Mississippi State’s home uniform combination, as the Aggies will go with the maroon helmet, white jersey, and maroon pants for the first time since 2019, as new head coach Mike Elko continues to experiment with A&M’s game day looks.

Here’s a video of senior defensive tackle Shemar Turner showing off the game-day digs ahead of the 3:15 CT. Kickoff.

https://twitter.com/aggiefootball/status/1847034981010624604?s=61&t=8oFqLV6woR9VOy4qh-s-mg

Texas A&M will face Mississippi State on the road on Saturday, Oct. 19, at 3:15 p.m. CT. The game will air on the SEC Network.

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Texas A&M vs. Mississippi State injury report: Latest updates, news for Week 8

All the latest updates and news on Texas A&M’s injury report ahead of a Week 8 game vs. Mississippi State

Texas A&M (5-1, 3-0 SEC) has arrived in Starkville (MS) to face Mississippi State (1-5, 0-3 SEC) in a Saturday afternoon showdown. The two programs are on opposite ends of the spectrum, as the Aggies are in first place in the SEC, while the Bulldogs are winless with just one win over Eastern Kentucky.

This week, Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko has been adamant that he and his team aren’t taking the Bulldogs lightly despite their dismal record. Freshman quarterback Michael Van Buren is coming off a 306-yard passing performance with three touchdowns through the air in last Saturday’s road loss to Georgia.

While Texas A&M’s secondary needs to keep Mississippi State’s passing game at bay, the Aggie offense led by quarterback Conner Weigman and running back Le’Veon Moss needs to produce every quarter. Ahead of the game, here is the latest injury update according to Friday’s SEC-mandated availability update:

Texas A&M injury report

OUT:

  • Rueben Owens – RB (Out for the season)
  • Mark Nabou – OL (Out for the season)
  • Tyreek Chappell – DB

Doubtful:

  • Jaylen Henderson – QB

Probable:

  • Terry Bussey – WR

Mississippi State injury report

OUT:

  • Blake Shapen – QB
  • Traveon Wright – DB
  • Creed Whittemore – WR
  • Trent Hudson – WR
  • Kedrick Bingley-Jones – DL
  • Keyvone Lee – RB
  • Kalvin Dinkins – DL

Questionable:

Brylan Lanier – S

Tyler Woodard – S

OL TJ Shanahan injury update

TJ Shanahan returns to the active roster after missing the last two games and should return as the team’s starting center, bolstering both the pass protection and run blocking.

WR Terry Bussey injury update

At the beginning of the week, freshman wide receiver Terry Bussey was listed as questionable with a 50% chance to place. Still, he is now probable with a higher chance to suit up and contribute in the passing game after leading the Aggies in receiving yards against Missouri two weeks prior.

Texas A&M will face Mississippi State on the road on Saturday, Oct. 19, at 3:15 p.m. CT. The game will air on the SEC Network.

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Thursday’s SEC Availability Report ahead of Texas A&M vs. Mississippi State

Here is Texas A&M’s updated injury report ahead of Texas A&M’s Week 8 road test vs. Mississippi State

Ahead of Texas A&M’s (5-1, 3-0 SEC) Week 8 road test against Mississippi State (1-5, 0-3 SEC) on Saturday afternoon, the second SEC-mandated availability report made its way to the public on Thursday night, as some change on the Aggies side is good new for the offense.

Early on Wednesday, Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko further confirmed that starting quarterback Conner Weigman is healthy and back to full strength after his first start in nearly a month in the win against Missouri. Along the offensive line, starting center TJ Shanahan is healthy and ready to return to the lineup for the first time in the last two games.

However, freshman wide receiver Terry Bussey was listed as questioniable on Wednesday, giving him a 50% chance to play against the Bulldogs, but within Thursday’s report, Bussey is now probable, giving him a 75% chance to suit up for the matchup. Third string quarterback Jaylen Henderson is still listed as doubtful.

Six players are confirmed out for the Mississippi State, while three defenders are either questionable or doubtful to play.

Texas A&M will face Mississippi State on the road on Saturday, Oct. 19, at 3:15 p.m. CT. The game will air on the SEC Network.

https://twitter.com/texags/status/1847068534158794906?s=61&t=fopB023bpAKw72UMu0eQDQ

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Everything Texas A&M HC Mike Elko said during Wednesday’s SEC Teleconference

Head coach Mike Elko and the Aggies will be ready to take on the challenges Mississippi State present

Texas A&M (5-1, 3-0) enters Week 8 after resting and recuperating during the first of two bye weeks this season, as head coach Mike Elko and his team are ready to get back to work ahead of facing Mississippi State (1-5, 0-3 SEC) on the road for a Saturday afternoon showdown.

Looking back at the last six matchups with the Bulldogs, the Aggies are a dismal 2-4, including devastating midseason losses that led to poor finishes and even season-ending injuries at key positions. So, it’s fair to say that Aggie fans are worried despite the home team’s ugly 1-5 record.

However, this is a different Texas A&M team under Elko’s guidance, as the culture is stronger than ever, coupled with a focus on physicality and competitiveness that was sorely missing over the last three seasons.

On Wednesday, Elko spoke to reporters during the weekly SEC Teleconference to give a final preview of the Bulldogs before heading to Starkville (MS) on Friday. Here’s what he had to say.

Elko on QB Conner Weigman’s health ahead of Saturday:

“His shoulder is getting healthier and healthier. You’re starting to see him throw the ball the way he wants to.”

Elko notes that no matter the recent success, Texas A&M is still evolving as a team: 

“Internally, there are still a lot of areas we need to get better at.”

Elko on facing Mississippi State freshman QB Michael Van Buren

“A kid that has grown tremendously. … He has a big-time arm. He can throw the deep ball really, really well. You saw that last week.”

“With this being his first home start this week, I’m sure he’s really, really excited about that.”

The Aggies know that no matter the Bulldog’s record, this is going to be a dog fight (no pun intended):

“excited with where we are” after a “good, productive bye week.”

“We’re getting ready for what’s going to be a very challenging trip to Starkville.”

Texas A&M will face Mississippi State on the road on Saturday, Oct. 19, at 3:15 p.m. CT. The game will air on the SEC Network.

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Texas A&M QB Conner Weigman is reportedly 100% healthy ahead of facing Mississippi State

Conner Weigman is finally fully healthy, ready to take on the second half of the 2024 season

Texas A&M (5-1, 3-0 SEC) will head to Starkville (MS) this weekend to face Mississippi State (1-5, 0-3) in a matchup that head coach Mike Elko stressed on Monday as one of the more difficult road trips left on the schedule, despite the Bulldog’s ugly record.

Needing another efficient outing from starting quarterback Conner Weigman, the redshirt sophomore signal caller is reportedly 100% healthy after dealing with a shoulder injury that resulted in him missing three games, as backup QB Marcel Reed led the Aggies to three consecutive victories before Weigman’s return against Missouri.

After completing 18/22 for 276 yards in A&M’s 41-10 win over Missouri, Weigman’s impressive accuracy and tough returned to form, while his footwork also looked smooth. While the decision was tough, Elko knew that after a solid week of practice, Weigman was mentally and physically ready, as the risk obviously paid off.

“We were focused on having a full week of practice. That was our goal. I’d play when I got a full week of practice, and I got a full week of practice before the Missouri game. We were ready to roll.”

When asked about his return to the lineup, Weigman noted standing on the sideline was, while knowing that the time away to heal and recuperate was worth it to return back to form.

“Not being able to play a football game is always tough because I like being about to be out there with my brothers and having their backs. Not playing football sucks.”

“Being back to feeling good finally is a good feeling.”

After Texas A&M’s win over Missouri, Elko passionately defended his quarterback after Weigman received unwarranted criticism, most of it stemming from his poor performance in the opening-season loss to Notre Dame.

When asked about the situation, the veteran signal-caller knows these things just come with playing quarterback in the SEC.

It is what it is. It’s what we signed up for playing in the SEC.”

“I love the game of football, and we’re going to go out every day and play as hard as we can for our brothers.”

While Weigman’s one-game sample after his injury certainly looked great, it’s all about consistency moving forward, starting with a solid outing on the road for his first SEC road start of the year. Whatever the in-game situation he’ll deal with the rest of the season, no one can deny Weigman’s competitive demeanor.

“If I get backed into a corner, I’m going to come out swinging. I’m not going to do down without a fight. That’s the way I was raised.”

Texas A&M will face Mississippi State on the road on Saturday, Oct. 19, at 3:15 p.m. CT. The game will air on the SEC Network.

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Texas A&M’s Week 9 matchup vs. LSU has yet to receive a confirmed kickoff time

The kickoff time for Texas A&M’s critical Week 9 matchup against LSU is still up in the air

Texas A&M’s 2024 season is in an interesting spot. After the team’s Week 7 bye week, the Aggies are 5-1 and 3-0 in SEC play. They will resume play against Mississippi State (1-5, 0-3 SEC) in Starkville on Saturday afternoon.

However, while head coach Mike Elko and his team aren’t looking past a Bulldog team that could easily defend home turf despite their poor record, the critical Week 9 home matchup vs. LSU (5-1, 2-0 SEC) looms large.

The Tigers are on a similar trajectory to Texas A&M’s rebounding after their opening season loss to USC, similar to the Aggies’ opening loss to Notre Dame. Both programs have reeled off five consecutive wins, including LSU’s Saturday’s 29-26 OT win over visiting Ole Miss.

On paper, this game looks massive for both programs from a College Football Playoff perspective, but for LSU to reach 6-1 before heading to College Station, a victory on the road against a tough Arkansas team awaits this weekend.

If both teams enter the game at 6-1 and are undefeated in conference play, a primetime slot is guaranteed, right? According to the SEC schedule makers, three potential kickoff times are now an option, starting with 2:30, 3:15, and 6:30 CT. on ABC as of this week.

If both teams lose this weekend, I could see a situation where one of the two afternoon slots is guaranteed, but if this is a 6-1 showdown, 6:30 should be the kickoff time.

Texas A&M will face Mississippi State on the road on Saturday, Oct. 19, at 3:15 p.m. CT. The game will air on the SEC Network.

https://twitter.com/sec/status/1845872195597197564?s=61&t=IuIhAEZDdGPS_cYGGghGIw

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‘That’s my brother’ Texas A&M QBs Conner Weigman and Marcel Reed share a strong bond

Texas A&M’s quarterback room is a close-knit group

On Monday, Texas A&M (5-1, 3-0 SEC) starting quarterback Conner Weigman joined head coach Mike Elko and linebacker Taurean York to preview the Aggies’ Week 8 road test against Mississippi State (1-5, 0-3 SEC).

The Bulldogs are in last place in the SEC standings, including an early season blowout loss to Toledo at home. However, under first-year head coach and offensive guru Jeff Lebby, freshman quarterback Michael Van-Buren looked the part on Saturday during Mississippi State’s 41-31 road loss to Georgia after completing 20/37 for 306 yards and 3 touchdowns.

While Texas A&M’s secondary will need to be prepared for the quick passing game, Conner Weigman and the Aggie offense may need to match the Bulldog’s production if the home team gets off to a quick start.

Leading up to the game, Weigman’s return to the starting lineup after his shoulder injury was a surprise to many after backup quarterback Marcel Reed went undefeated (3-0) as his replacement with wins over Florida, Bowling Green, and Arkansas while producing eight total touchdowns through the air and on the ground.

However, Reed’s accuracy issues, especially downfield, hindered OC Collin Klein’s playcalling, and despite his bright future, Weigman’s arm talent was undeniable once he was 100% healthy.

When asked about his relationship with Reed after being named the starter vs. Missouri, Weigman quickly revealed that the two have never been closer.

“That’s my brother. I love him to death. We’re in the quarterback room together every single day for the last two years.”

“It’s a really cool thing that we’ve got going on, and it doesn’t happen everywhere. We’re really blessed to have that relationship.”

Weigman is correct that this is a rare occurrence in the new age of the transfer portal, as most similar situations result in immediate movement, especially the current trend of redshirting after only a handful of games this season seen throughout the country.

Texas A&M’s culture under Mike Elko is seen in Weigman and Reed’s close relationship, as the Aggies are wholly focused on we, not I.

“The culture in terms of togetherness and trying to do things the right way and for each other, I’m really proud of our guys for how they’ve done that.”

“These kids haven’t done that. We look at it differently. … They’ve bought into everything we believe a football program should be about.”

Texas A&M will face Mississippi State on the road on Saturday, Oct. 19, at 3:15 p.m. CT. The game will air on the SEC Network.

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Texas A&M’s updated injury report ahead facing Mississippi State in Week 8

Here is the initial injury report ahead of Texas A&M’s Week 8 road trip vs. Mississippi State

Texas A&M (5-1, 3-0 SEC) will head to Starkville (MS) later this weekend for a Week 8 road test against Mississippi State on Saturday afternoon. After taking a short break during the bye week, the Aggies will look to add to their current five-game winning streak.

On Monday, head coach Mike Elko spoke to the media in his regular weekly appearance, and like any bye week, the focus was on resting and getting as healthy as possible ahead of the final stretch of the regular season, starting with the status of quarterback Conner Weigman.

“We got healthy. We’re in a really good spot from a health standpoint. We’re excited for the next phase of the season.”

Concerning Weigman’s status after starting his first game in nearly a month in A&M’s 41-10 win over Missouri, the redshirt sophomore revealed that he is now 100% healthy for the first time this season, and is more than thrilled to be back to his regular playing form.

“Not being able to play a football game is always tough because I like being about to be out there with my brothers and having their backs. Not playing football sucks.”

“Being back to feeling good finally is a good feeling.”

Along the offensive line, starting right guard Ar’maj Reed-Adams will be available, while center TJ Shanahan is slowly but surely returning to the lineup after missing the last two games.

Texas A&M will face Mississippi State on the road on Saturday, Oct. 19, at 3:15 p.m. CT. The game will air on the SEC Network.

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Texas A&M HC Mike Elko and his team aren’t taking Mississippi State lightly

Mississippi State’s 1-5 record is meaningless when the Aggies head to Starkville this weekend

Texas A&M (5-1, 3-0 SEC) enters Week 8 rested and ready to get back to game prep, as the Aggies will travel to Starkville to face Mississippi State (1-5, 0-3 SEC) on Saturday afternoon, as the Bulldogs are coming off a close 41-31 loss to Georgia in Week 7.

On Monday, Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko, starting quarterback Conner Weigman, and linebacker Taurean York spoke to the media to preview the impending matchup. Before any reporter could discuss the program’s struggles against Mississippi State over the last decade, Elko was well aware of the history.

“Full expectation is we’re going to have our hands full going into Starkville. We always do. We’re not very good going down to Starkville as a program.”

Despite A&M’s blowout win last season, which coincidentally was Jimbo Fisher’s final game as the program’s head coach, the 2022 loss in Starkville, combined with the home loss to the Bulldogs during the 2021 season, still haunts Aggie fans to this day.

Knowing the damage a loss on Saturday could do to the Aggies’ playoff hopes, Elko has stressed to his team this week that looking past Mississippi State’s 1-5 record could lead to a lack of focus and the dreaded “looking ahead to next week” mistake that has resulted in lesser competition upsetting top-ranked teams.

Taurean York, one of A&M’s captains and leaders on defense, noted that Elko had reminded the team of the poor record the Aggies hold against the Bulldogs, knowing that no matter the talent discrepancy, this is still an SEC road game.

“Coach Elko has reminded us about our record in Starkville. It’s 2-4. … We’re excited for it. We’re looking forward to the challenge come Saturday.”

Lastly, Elko, who likely watched at least some college football on Saturday during A&M’s bye week, noted the play of Mississippi State quarterback Michael Van Buren. Van Buren was recently named SEC Newcomer of the Week after completing 20/37 for 306 yards and 3 touchdowns in Saturday’s loss to Georgia.

“He has a really big arm. He showed that. Their ability to stretch the field is probably the most impressive thing.” “This explosive passing game is really, really scary.”

While Texas A&M’s secondary will need to prepare to cover go and post routes, the Aggies pass rush, led by defensive ends Nic Scourton and Shemar Stewart, will need to apply pressure early to keep Van Buren out of rhythm.

Texas A&M will face Mississippi State on the road on Saturday, Oct. 19, at 3:15 p.m. CT. The game will air on the SEC Network.

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