COLLEGE STATION — Texas A&M football head coach Mike Elko is undefeated in 11 a.m. kickoff games since taking over the Aggies program. But Saturday’s game will be like any other daygame in Texas A&M history.
A&M is 4-0 in this early time slot since Elko took over in 2024. The No. 7 Aggies will host the No. 10 Miami Hurricanes on Saturday, marking the first College Football Playoff appearance for both teams.
Article continues below this ad
With the season on the line, A&M is looking to the 12th Man, its rabid fan base, for support.
“You have wanted a program that can compete in big games and on big stages,” Elko said Monday. “This is a ‘thank you’ to them for their support all year and maybe a rallying cry to make this the best environment Kyle Field has seen in a really long time.”
Texas A&M fans cheer during the first half against Auburn at Kyle Field on Sept. 27, 2025 in College Station. (Photo by Aaron M. Sprecher/Getty Images)
Aaron M. Sprecher/Getty Images
MORE AGGIES: Why making the CFP is just the beginning for Mike Elko and Texas A&M football
Article continues below this ad
A&M fans have filled Kyle Field for 10 straight games, drawing more than 100,000 fans each weekend. A fan base that has grown used to heartbreak is hoping this year’s team can write a different ending.
After a 7-1 record, starting the season 4-1 at home, A&M lost its final two home games last season and a bowl game.
A return to its winning ways, including a perfect 7-0 home record, has been reflected in the attendance.
Article continues below this ad
The Aggies broke previous records for average and total home attendance in 2025, reaching an average of 106,159 fans and a total of 743,113 fans across seven home games.
It marked the sixth time A&M has drawn over 700,000 fans at Kyle Field in a season, per the athletic department.
“Saturday is going to be an amped-up crowd,” defensive tackle Albert Regis said Tuesday. “This might be No. 1 (in terms of Kyle Field crowds) for me, and my expectations, I’m already putting this crowd at No. 1.”
The Aggies held opponents to just 16 points per game at home. Offensively, A&M averaged 35.1 points per game in the friendly confines, scoring less than 30 points just once.
Article continues below this ad
The Hurricanes scored an average of 30 points in their four away games this season.
“I know the crowd is going to show up here,” cornerback Will Lee III said. “They love the culture here, and they’re going to make it like a night game.”
MORE: Le’Veon Moss injury update: Mike Elko speaks Monday before CFP
Kyle Field has already hosted three crowds of over 100,000 for 11 a.m. kickoff games this season – 100,026 against Utah State on Sept. 6, 108,582 against South Carolina on Nov. 15 and 104,877 against Samford on Nov. 22.
Article continues below this ad
However, the largest crowd ever for a football game was in 2014 against Ole Miss, with 110,633 fans in attendance. Country singer George Strait holds the record for the largest overall crowd in the stadium’s history, performing to 110,905 patrons.
“I know the 12th Man will show up for us,” linebacker Daymion Sanford said. “Hopefully, they break the attendance record. I want to see that. Playing in away games shows that nothing compares to Kyle Field.”
Reach Texas A&M beat reporter Tony Catalina via email at Anthony.Catalina@statesman.com.
Article continues below this ad