Tag: Oklahoma State Football

‘..I am proud of that team and that locker room. I’m proud of those guys for stepping through.’ Elijah Robinson speaks after close loss to Oklahoma State.

Hear what Interim Head Coach Elijah Robinson had to say after the TaxAct Bowl game

The 2023 football season has officially ended for the Aggie Football team and new head coach Mike Elko has a lot to look forward to in the future.

I don’t think anyone knew what to expect when the Aggies took the field at NRG Stadium on Wednesday night. Then, when third-string QB Jaylon Henderson was knocked out of the game on the very first play from scrimmage, it appeared that skipping the game altogether might have been the wiser choice.

However, true freshman Marcel Reed, 180 pounds soaking wet, showed that Aggie spirit and fought all game long, giving A&M a fighting chance to the very end. As awkward as the Elijah Robinson situation got over the past few weeks, he kept his word to the team, took a very depleted team in the TaxAct Bowl, and gave the Big 12 runner-up a run for their money.

“We talked brotherhood from the very beginning, and no matter what anybody said outside of that locker room, the locker room was about brotherhood.” “I give a lot of credit to the coaches and those guys sticking around… The kids gave us everything we asked of them.”

Below, you can hear everything Interim Head Coach Elijah Robinson had to say following the game.

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes, and opinions. Follow Jarrett Johnson on Twitter: @whosnextsports1.

Shorthanded Texas A&M football team bested by No. 20 Oklahoma State in Texas Bowl rematch

“This program is capable of being a team that is in the playoff and competing for national championships every year,” Mike Elko told ESPN.

The Jimbo Fisher era at Texas A&M has finally come to an end following the Texas Bowl which concluded the 2023 season on Wednesday night in Houston.

No. 20 Oklahoma State (10-4) defeated the Aggies (7-6) by a final score of 31-23 at NRG Stadium. The Cowboys earned revenge from the 2019 Texas Bowl, which Texas A&M won 24-21.

Wednesday’s SEC versus Big 12 showdown began with a somber start as Aggies sophomore quarterback Jaylen Henderson injured his right arm on the first snap of the game. He did not return and true freshman Marcel Reed took over as starting quarterback for the remainder of the contest.

Five plays stuck out for Texas A&M as highlights of the game. First, junior wide receiver Moose Muhammad III hauled in an incredible 29-yard one-handed reception in the second quarter.

Next, freshman defensive back Dalton Brooks reeled in his first collegiate interception to begin the second half. Then in the third period, Reed took off down the right sideline and galloped into the end zone for a 20-yard rushing touchdown. About four minutes into the fourth quarter, graduate student Sam Mathews recorded the first interception of his Texas A&M career.

Finally, junior kicker Randy Bond tallied a hat trick with three field goals. His final boot of the night came with 5:07 remaining and bounced off the crossbar and in from 51 yards out to set a new Texas Bowl record.

While there may have been positive plays along the way, the Aggies were ultimately overmatched against Oklahoma State. Texas A&M had only 48 scholarship players in uniform on Wednesday.

Aggies interim head coach Elijah Robinson now departs the program to become defensive coordinator at Syracuse. He led Texas A&M to a 1-2 overall record during his short tenure at the helm.

As the calendar turns to 2024 in a couple of days, the Mike Elko era in College Station officially begins. Elko was interviewed during the Texas Bowl on ESPN and his outlook for the future of Aggies football should get the 12th Man very excited.

“We’ve gotta become what we’re capable of becoming, that’s the biggest thing,” Elko said on ESPN. “This program is capable of being a team that is in the playoff and competing for national championships every year, but we’re not that right now. We’ve gotta recognize that, roll up our sleeves and go to work to become what we should be.”

Below are the Texas A&M critical contributors from the game:

Reed: 20-33 pass attempts, 361 yards passing, 29 yards rushing and 1 TD

Amari Daniels: 8 carries for 29 yards rushing and 1 TD, 1 catch for 34 yards

Jahdae Walker: 8 catches for 137 yards

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Shaun on Twitter: @Shaun_Holkko.

Watch: Texas A&M WR Moose Muhammad III hauls in 1-handed reception during Texas Bowl

First impressions are very important and Texas A&M junior wide receiver Moose Muhammad III made the most of his opportunity on Wednesday night during the Texas Bowl.

First impressions are very important and Texas A&M junior wide receiver Moose Muhammad III made the most of his opportunity on Wednesday night during the Texas Bowl.

Aggies head coach Mike Elko was interviewed during the ESPN broadcast of No. 20 Oklahoma State against Texas A&M and Muhammad impressed his new coach with an incredible one-handed catch.

Muhammad hauled in a 29-yard reception with his right hand to reach Cowboys territory immediately after Elko stepped into the booth.

“Attaboy, Moose! That’s not a bad first play for me to be calling right there,” Elko said on ESPN. “It’s a heck of a throw and what a catch.

“That’s Moose right there at his finest.”

The junior wideout is the son of former NFL player Muhsin Muhammad II, who played in the league for 14 seasons on three separate teams.

Moose caught the pass from true freshman Marcel Reed. Sophomore starting quarterback Jaylen Henderson injured his right arm on the first snap of the game versus Oklahoma State when he completed an 11-yard pass to junior wide receiver Jahdae Walker.

Muhammad is 1-of-3 wideouts on scholarship that are active on Wednesday along with Walker and freshman Micah Tease.

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Shaun on Twitter: @Shaun_Holkko.

Texas A&M starting QB Jaylen Henderson injures right arm on first play of Texas Bowl

Texas A&M quarterback Jaylen Henderson injured his right arm on the first play of the Texas Bowl versus Oklahoma State on Wednesday in Houston.

With only 48 scholarship players in uniform on Wednesday in Houston, Texas A&M lost its starting quarterback to injury after only one play of the Texas Bowl.

On the first snap from scrimmage Wednesday night at NRG Stadium, Jaylen Henderson injured his right arm and left the game against No. 20 Oklahoma State wearing an air-cast. The sophomore signal-caller suffered the injury while completing an 11-yard pass to junior wide receiver Jahdae Walker.


True freshman Marcel Reed took over for Henderson at QB and the Aggies punted after three plays. On Reed’s second drive, he led Texas A&M on an 11-play, 56-yard drive that lasted over four minutes and resulted in a 37-yard field goal from junior kicker Randy Bond to tie the game at 3-3 with 4:34 remaining in the first quarter.

At 8:51 p.m. CT, ESPN sideline reporter Taylor McGregor stated on the game broadcast that Henderson was out and would not return to the Texas Bowl.

Walker suffered a left shoulder injury attempting to make a touchdown catch in the first period but he later returned to the game. Walker is 1-of-3 wideouts on scholarship that are active on Wednesday along with junior Moose Muhammad III and freshman Micah Tease.

Reed was a 4-star recruit coming out of Montgomery Bell Academy in Nashville. He was named Mr. Football in Tennessee following his senior year of high school.

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Shaun on Twitter: @Shaun_Holkko.

Report: Texas A&M football team will be shorthanded for Texas Bowl versus No. 20 Oklahoma State

According to a report from GigEm247 reporter Carter Karels, “Texas A&M is expected to have no more than 55 scholarship players available to play.”

In the official last game of the Jimbo Fisher era in College Station, Texas A&M will be shorthanded for the 2023 finale tonight in Texas.

The Aggies will be playing No. 20 Oklahoma State in the TaxAct Texas Bowl at NRG Stadium in Houston beginning at 8 p.m. CT. According to a report from GigEm247 reporter Carter Karels, “Texas A&M is expected to have no more than 55 scholarship players available to play.”

The depth chart is thin for the Aggies due to a multitude of reasons, beginning with the NCAA Transfer Portal and injuries. Sixteen Texas A&M players have entered the portal since it opened at the beginning of December and nine of those former Aggies have already found a new home.

Six Texas A&M players are out with season-ending injuries, including graduate student Ainias Smith. The talented wide receiver has a broken finger and declared for the 2024 NFL Draft on Dec. 8.

Karels also noted that without Smith, the Aggies will have a total of three scholarship receivers in uniform against the Cowboys. Interim head coach Elijah Robinson certainly has a challenge in front of him before departing for Syracuse.

Oklahoma State will be attempting to avenge a 24-21 loss to Texas A&M in the 2019 Texas Bowl. Given the fluctuation of the Aggies’ available players, even Cowboys coach Mike Gundy has “no idea” what to expect tonight.

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Shaun on Twitter: @Shaun_Holkko.

Final Staff Predictions for Texas A&M vs. No. 20 Oklahoma State in the TaxAct Texas Bowl

Here are the final staff predictions for the TaxAct Texas Bowl as Texas A&M faces No. 20 Oklahoma State on Wednesday night.

Texas A&M (7-5) will finish the 2023 college football season hopefully on a high note, set to face the No. 20 Oklahoma State Cowboys on Wednesday, Dec. 27. Facing plenty of roster-based adversity, the Aggies will be without a large portion of the regular season depth chart, including a reported 55 scholarship players.

With the news that sophomore wide receiver Noah Thomas will miss the game for undisclosed reasons, the A&M will only have three scholarship wide receivers available, as Moose Muhammad III, Jahdae Walker, and freshman Micah Tease will start and finish the game with virtually no help.

Oklahoma State’s rushing attack, led by All-American running back Ollie Gordon III (1,614 rushing yards, 20 TDs), the Cowboys are looking to run down the Aggies’ throats due to the attrition on the defensive line from the transfer portal, but don’t count out freshman linebacker Taurean York to clean up the mess, and keep the opponent one dimensional.

Ahead of Texas A&M’s final game before new head coach Mike Elko’s inaugural 2024 season, here are our final staff predictions for Texas A&M’s TaxAct Texas Bowl vs. No. 20 Oklahoma State.

Cameron Ohnysty: Managing Editor:

“With the news that the Aggies will only have 55 scholarship players available for the game, one thought crept into my mind: This makes Mike Elko’s evaluation of the roster a whole lot easier. While quarterback Jaylen Henderson is slated to make his fourth start, it’s A&M’s now depleted defensive line facing Oklahoma State running back Ollie Gordon III that could be the games’ deciding factor

Needing to embody the spirit of the 12th Man, I have no idea this team under interim head coach Elijah Robinson will put everything they have into this final matchup, and if the Aggies’ can keep Gordon at bay for most of the night, Henderson and the offense will likely need to score at least 20 points to secure the victory.

Final score prediction: Texas A&M 24, Oklahoma State 20

Shaun Holkko: Staff Writer:

“Just like Mike Gundy, I honestly have no idea what to expect from Texas A&M tonight. The Aggies are underdogs heading into this matchup against a ranked team that competed for a conference title this season.

However, I’ve gotta sneaky suspicion that Texas A&M will be victorious in this rematch of the 2019 Texas Bowl, which the Aggies also won. In the last official game of the Jimbo Fisher era in College Station, Texas A&M defeats Oklahoma State 28-25 led by interim head coach Elijah Robinson before he departs for Syracuse.”

Final score prediction: Texas A&M 28, Oklahoma State 25

Jarrett Johnson: Staff Writer:

“I do not know how this game will go. However, I’m extremely intrigued to see several Aggies get extended playing time they did not receive during the regular season.

This will serve as a good showcase against a quality team so Elko can evaluate where he still has positions of need that he might not have considered a few weeks ago.

As far as the game goes, I think Jaylen Henderson goes off for 2 rushing touchdowns and 2 passing touchdowns because why not? However, I think the inexperience and shorthanded defense will make a few too many mistakes.”

Final score prediction: Oklahoma State 30, Texas A&M 28

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes, and opinions. Follow Cameron on Twitter: @CameronOhnysty.

How to watch: Texas A&M vs. No. 20 Oklahoma State football game

Texas A&M will close out the TaxAct Texas Bowl festivities with a Wednesday night showdown against the No 20 Oklahoma State Cowboys

Texas A&M (7-5, 4-4 SEC) will play No. 20 Oklahoma State (9-4, 7-2 SEC) at NRG Stadium on Wednesday night in Houston, Texas at 8:00 p.m. CT.

The Aggies will play in a bowl game for the first time since 2020 and they will have their work cut out for them. On top of starting their third-string Quarterback, Jaylon Henderson, the starting lineup will resemble something similar to the second half of a spring scrimmage game. Due to transfers, the NFL draft, and injuries the Aggies are truly piecing together a squad to take one Oklahoma State on Wednesday night.

Now there is nothing new about an interim coach taking over for a bowl game however not only is this a lame-duck coaching staff, but coach Elijah Robinson has also spent half his time recruiting future Aggie targets for his new employee: Syracuse University.

This is still a good opportunity for new head coach Mike Elko to assess the current roster and determine where he might need to focus more of his attention in the transfer portal. It will also be the final chapter of the Jimbo era at Texas A&M and we can all finally move on.

Texas A&M’s 2023 regular-season home schedule had contests against ULM, Auburn, Alabama, South Carolina, Mississippi State, and ACU.

The Aggies’ Road schedule featured games at Miami, Arkansas, Tennessee, Ole Miss, and LSU.

2023 Texas A&M Aggies football schedule: Downloadable smartphone wallpaper

Below is gameday, television, and radio information for Wednesday’s Texas A&M – OSU game at NRG Stadium in Houston.

Report: Texas A&M WR Noah Thomas will miss the TaxAct Texas Bowl vs. No. 20 Oklahoma State

It has been confirmed by multiple sources that Texas A&M WR Noah Thomas will miss the TaxAct Texas Bowl vs. No. 20 Oklahoma State.

Texas A&M will be without yet another starter on offense ahead of Wednesday’s TaxAct Texas Bowl on Wednesday night, as the Aggies will face the 20th-ranked Oklahoma State Cowboys inside NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas.

According to 247Sports’ Jeff Tarpley, sophomore wide receiver Noah Thomas will miss the matchup for undisclosed reasons, closing the book on his 2023 season after appearing in nine games while recording 29 receptions for 353 yards and five touchdowns, including his opening season three touchdown performance in the win vs. New Mexico.

While some will attempt to take a deep dive into Thomas’s reasons for missing the game, remember that, through NIL sponsor Texas Aggies United, Thomas announced his return for the 2024 season earlier this month. While Thomas’s absence will certainly hinder the Aggies’ passing production against the Cowboys, it will now be up to Moose Muhammad III, Jahdae Walker, and freshman Micah Tease to steer the ship, at least on Wednesday night.

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes, and opinions. Follow Cameron on Twitter: @CameronOhnysty.

Texas A&M’s depth chart ahead of the TaxAct Texas Bowl vs. No. 20 Oklahoma State

Here is Texas A&M’s depth chart ahead of Wednesday’s TaxAct Texas Bowl matchup vs. No. 20 Oklahoma State in NRG Stadium.

Texas A&M and No. 20 Oklahoma State are set to face off for the final time in 2023 during Wednesday night’s TaxAct Texas Bowl, which will occur in the Houston Texans’ NRG Stadium among what should be a packed crowd.

Amid all the changes taking place in College Station after the Nov. 12 firing of Jimbo Fisher and the subsequent hiring of new head coach Mike Elko just two weeks later, Elko and his staff have already dealt with more than a dozen departures through the transfer portal, but have also gained 14 signees from the 2024 recruiting cycle, and seven additions from the portal.

While current interim head coach Elijah Robinson has ignited some mild controversy regarding his recruiting tactics while already working in his 2024 role as Syracuses’ new defensive coordinator, we can only trust a man at his word, and Robinson has continually promised that the Aggies are his sole focus heading into the bowl game.

For Oklahoma State, superstar running back Ollie Gordon III is expected to play, meaning that A&M’s now depleted defensive line will have its biggest challenge yet, as defensive tackles McKinnley Jackson (2024 NFL Draft), Walter Nolen (transfer portal) and Isaiah Raikes (transfer portal) have left the program.

Looking at Texas A&M’s depth chart ahead of the game, the roster may be depleted, but the Aggies should have enough to get the job done, including 55 scholarship players who are posed to dress out. Here is A&M’s complete depth chart ahead of Wednesday’s TaxAct Texas Bowl vs. No. 20 Oklahoma State.

‘We’re trying to get the best 22 on the field ‘ Aggies interim HC Elijah Robinson previews the TaxAct Texas Bowl

Hear what Texas A&M interim head coach Elijah Robinson had to say ahead of the Aggies TaxAct Texas Bowl on Wednesday, Dec. 27.

Texas A&M interim head coach Elijah Robinson, who, despite being hired as Syracuses’ new defensive coordinator for the 2024 season and beyond, still holds rank in the Aggie locker room and will continue his duties until the final whistle blows during A&M’s upcoming TaxAct Texas Bowl vs. Oklahoma State.

While we at Aggies Wire have not shied away from covering the issues regarding Robinson’s recruiting tactics on behalf of Syracuse while still employed with Texas A&M, the veteran assistant at least provided more context on Tuesday afternoon during the final press conference before next week’s matchup.

Speaking with the local media, Robinson, outside of discussing how the team will prepare for the game, continued to profess his admiration for A&M and the importance of developing lasting relationships that will aid in future development.

“People talk to people. People trust people.”

“When relationships are made, people can explain to (players) what a place can do for them… This is a great place to be. It has great coaches. Now it’s all about the fit and relationships.”

Even more telling, despite his new allegiance with the Orange, Robinson stated that if any current A&M player comes to him personally to discuss if they should transfer from the program, he would advise them to stay, especially on defense due to new head coach Mike Elko’s elite defensive mindset.

“If I’m a defensive player here, I’d look at Coach (Mike) Elko and know that Coach Elko is going to put a great defense on the field here.”

At the core of it all, Elijah Robinson is a fantastic human being with a very bright coaching future ahead of him, and we wish him nothing but the best moving forward. Here is everything he had to say during Tuesday’s press conference.

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes, and opinions. Follow Cameron on Twitter: @CameronOhnysty.