COLLEGE STATION — All Texas A&M football needed to do was stay focused and handle business against a lesser opponent in Week 13, and that’s exactly what it did.
The Aggies cruised to a 48-0 victory over the Samford Bulldogs, boosting the statistical case for their Heisman Trophy hopeful quarterback, while keeping the team healthy and giving backups valuable playing time.
Marcel Reed‘s day ended with 10:07 left in the second quarter as the Aggies rested him and several other starters before facing Texas in the regular season finale. Texas A&M (11-0, 7-0 SEC) now has three straight wins against nonconference opponents.
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With several young players getting their first significant game experience, the Aggies’ coaching staff will have much to assess before the final week of the regular season.
Here’s how the Aggies graded in their Week 13 victory:
Texas A&M wide receiver Ashton Bethel-Roman (3) reacts with quarterback Marcel Reed (10) after scoring a touchdown against Samford during the first quarter Nov. 22, 2025, in College Station.
Sam Craft/Associated Press
MORE AGGIES: Texas A&M vs Samford: Aggies roll past Bulldogs in Week 13
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Texas A&M football Week 13 grades
Quarterbacks: A-
Reed was nearly perfect in his limited action. With three touchdown passes in the first quarter, he finished 10-for-15 with 120 passing yards, being taken out just before the halfway point in the second quarter.
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The Aggies turned to Miles O’Neill, followed by freshman Brady Hart and graduate transfer Jacob Zeno. The group finished the day 20-for-37 with 237 passing yards and Reed’s three first-quarter touchdowns.
Running backs: A
A&M entered Week 13 with Le’Veon Moss and EJ Smith in street clothes. Reuben Owens II was suited up but did not play. Still, the running game remained effective, finishing with 247 yards. Senior Amari Daniels carried most of the workload in the first half, rushing for over 100 yards for the first time in his career, all before the midway point of the second quarter.
From there, the Aggies handed most of the work to freshmen Jamarion Morrow and Tiger Riden Jr., who combined for 97 yards on 20 carries and one touchdown.
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Receivers: A+
Much like Owens II, Mario Craver suited up for the game but did not play. Yet, the Aggies’ wide receiver group was outstanding, with KC Concepion and Ashton Bethel-Roman leading the way.
Bethel-Roman finished the first half with two receptions for 61 yards and two touchdowns. Concepcion contributed five receptions for 42 yards and a score. Like in Week 12, Izaiah Williams benefited from Craver’s absence, with four receptions and 14 yards. Freshman TK Norman tallied three receptions for 39 yards.
Tight ends: B+
Saturday was yet another game where the passing game production lagged while this group was dominant in the run game. Nate Boerkircher and Theo Melin Ohstrom didn’t record a reception, but both were strong at the point of attack, helping lift the Aggies to 162 rushing yards in the first half.
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Amari Niblack, Micah Riley and Kiotti Armstrong saw much of the action after the break. The group helped A&M tally 85 rushing yards in the second half.
Offensive line: A+
A&M used multiple combinations upfront, with left tackle Trey Zuhn III playing his usual position, playing center, and being out of the lineup altogether. Just one sack was allowed, along with the 247 yards on the ground, so the Aggies’ big guys almost pitched a shutout against their FCS foe in Week 13.
Defensive line: A+
A&M’s defense was relentless all game, and Samford had no response. Cashius Howell played limited snaps, while freshman Marco Jones led with a team-high seven tackles. The group had one sack and seven tackles for loss.
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Samford finished with 31 rushing yards. Freshmen Solomon Williams and Dealyn Evans — each a four-star prospect — added three tackles apiece. A position that was considered a question mark in the preseason has continued to appear as a strength, with promising young talent.
Linebackers: A
Taurean York and Daymion Sanford were flying all around the field, playing in Samford’s backfield in the run game, and were violent at the point of attack.
When the game was turned over to freshman Noah Mikhail, it was more of the same. The linebackers finished with 13 tackles and one tackle for loss. Samford had just 77 total yards of offense.
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Defensive backs: A+
With Samford being held to negative-2 yards in the first half, it’s hard not to give this group an A+.
Will Lee III, Dezz Ricks and Tyreek Chappell pitched a shutout before the Aggies turned the game over to the backups. The Bulldogs ended the day with 46 passing yards and struggled for much of the game.
Special teams: D-
Although the return game has been consistent and A&M blocked a field goal in the third quarter, if there is one thing to be picky about with this A&M team, it is the kicking situation.
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Randy Bond was replaced by Jared Zirkel this week after struggling for much of the season, missing seven of 18 field goal attempts. But Zirkel faced his own struggles Saturday.
Zirkel was perfect on point after tries, but went 2-for-3 on field goal attempts, missing a 36-yarder in the second quarter.
Add in Bond kicking a first-quarter kickoff out of bounds, and the kicking game could be an Achilles heel.
Coaching staff: A+
Mike Elko managed Week 13 effectively. He gave his star players early reps and then subbed them out to keep them fresh.
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Even with the heavy rotation of players into the game, the Aggies still excelled on both sides of the ball.
It was A&M’s first shutout since a 31-0 win over Sam Houston State in 2022, and it marked the fewest total yards allowed by an opposing offense since North Texas gained 70 yards in 1996.
Offensively, the Aggies totaled 475 yards, marking their 10th consecutive game with over 400 yards.
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Reach Texas A&M beat reporter Tony Catalina via email at Anthony.Catalina@statesman.com.