Updated Dec. 20, 2025, 7:57 p.m. CT
Texas A&M’s 2025 season officially came to an end on Saturday afternoon, as the Aggies fell to Miami (11-2) 10-3 in the first round of the College Football Playoff, failing to capitalize on the regular season success which included three consecutive road wins, and an early season victory against Notre Dame that likely cemented the program’s spot in the CFP.
However, the 27-17 road loss to Texas was more revealing than many of us expected, especially the regression of starting quarterback Marcel Reed, who threw two interceptions against the Longhorns. This poor play continued against Miami’s secondary, including the final drive of the game, when the Aggies were inches away from tying the game at 10-10 before Reed’s end-zone interception.
While Texas A&M’s defense held Miami to 3-12 on third down, the Aggie run defense, which has struggled against physical down-hill runners, gave up 172 yards to junior running back Mark Fletcher, who ultimately sealed the game after two chunk runs that set up WR Malachi Toney’s late score.
This loss has once again provided the Aggie fan base plenty to complain about heading into the offseason, with yet another disappointing loss in a game that was winnable. Knowing that OC Collin Klein and DC Jay Bateman will be gone going into next season, changes are already in place.
After the loss, head coach Mike Elko, Jay Bateman, Marcel Reed, and several other players spoke to the media. With the offseason now in full swing, here is everything they had to say after falling to Miami in the CFP.
Need a news break? Check out the all new PLAY hub with puzzles, games and more!Mike Elko on his message to the departing and returning players after the loss
“To the seniors who just played their last game, they left a mark on elevating this program that will never go away. From where this program was two years ago to where it is now, that can’t be lost on people. To the guys coming back, we have another step to take.”
Elko on where the game was lost
“We lost the game at the line of scrimmage. We couldn’t keep them off of us or get the run game established. They finished with seven sacks. You can’t play playoff football and not win the line of scrimmage. We lost the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball.”
Elko on Miami RB Mark Fletcher’s 56-yard run in the fourth quarter
“He got loose. They found some runs and started getting their wide receivers involved on inside gaps. It created some heavy power football. We just didn’t handle it well enough.”
Elko on QB Marcel Reed’s performance against Miami
“He’s still a young quarterback. There’s a lot of room for growth for him. You saw some strides this year. He’s a great kid and a hard worker. He’ll go to work in this offseason and you’ll see a better kid next year with another year of development.”
Elko on the season ending earlier than expected
“You hurt for those kids because you know how hard they work and how much they put into things. I hurt for them. It’s a great group that I enjoy being around. I’m going to miss going into work every day with that group.”
Elko on not being able to run the ball effectively
“When you can’t establish the run, it makes it hard on Marcel, and we haven’t been able to establish the run these last two games. It starts with our inability to run the football. We’ve got to go into the offseason and figure some things out.”
Elko on where his mind was going into halftime tied 0-0
“It felt like the field kept tilting away from us in a defensive struggle. We had the one drive down there and couldn’t finish it, we got the field goal blocked. Defensively, we made some stands. There were challenges.”
Elko on Texas A&M’s poor run defense that needs to be addressed this offseason
“Clearly that was a weakness of ours. It’s hard to make a weakness a strength in the middle of the season. We’ve got to look at what we’re doing it and how we’re doing it. We have to figure some things out this offseason.”
Is Texas A&M trending in a positive direction?
“I don’t hope it’s trending positively, I see it’s trending. 8 wins to 11 wins. We’re going to finish the season ranked, that hasn’t happened here in a while. We’ve got to continue to elevate. We’re battling to become a championship program. We’ve got work to do to develop this program into what it needs to become.”
Elko on finishing the season -8 in turnover margin
“We finished the season -8 in turnover margin, that’s not a great stat. We need to be on the other side of that. We have to control the line of scrimmage better than we did this season and that’s really what it comes down to.”
DC Jay Bateman on A&M’s second-half defense
“The first drive of the second half they went tempo on us and got some easy throws, but I thought we settled in. On the touchdown drive we messed up the rotation and had a chance to get a stop on third down but didn’t.”
LB Taurean York on the team’s “foundation” moving forward
This year is a foundation setter. It takes time, this is just year two. This is just the start. We’re going to be alright. When we get back next year these jitters shouldn’t be there.”
S Dalton Brooks on next year’s outlook
“We have to keep the culture. That’s a big thing. We have to keep the players together, keep rebuilding, keep going, and keep everybody in it.”
LB Taurean York on his future heading into the offseason
“I’ve never been through something like this. That’s what this week is for. I’m going to talk it through with my family. I’m going to pray and hope I land on the right direction.”
QB Marcel Reed on what he was looking for during his final interception
“We were trying to get an exchange with the receiver and tight end. I tried to put it in there over their backers. It wasn’t in the right spot.”
Marcel Reed on his biggest takeaway from the 2025 season
“It’s another step for this program. We took what we learned last year and brought it to this year. It was a really good team. We worked in the offseason, had a goal in mind and had a successful season.”
Reed on how he believes he performed this season
“I think I had a pretty decent season, definitely better than last season. I have room to grow and i’ll go into this offseason working on making tight throws and making sure my feet are set. I’m going to keep growing.”
WR Mario Craver on what be told WR KC Concepcion after the game
“I just told him thank you. He made me a better person and a better teammate. I just told him thank you in case he won’t be here next season.”
Marcel Reed on what the 2025 team accomplished this season
“This loss stings because it puts us out and it was a loss at home. We thought that this season could’ve been a lot better than where it ended, but we’re proud of what we accomplished. We grew last year and we’re going to keep growing.”
Departing OC Collin Klein provides his emotional thoughts on Marcel Reed
“Marcel is dear to me. I couldn’t be more proud of how he has grown into leading that QB unit. It was a joy and an honor coming to work with him. I told him after our first spring scrimmage two years ago that he has a chance to be as good as anybody that’s come through this program. His character and talent are outstanding. The sky is the limit. It’s bittersweet.”
Marcel Reed on the culture shift under HC Mike Elko
“I’ve been here from Jimbo to now Elko. It was great to see a difference in the culture and how bought in these players are. We talked about this as freshmen that we’d put this team in position to win it all. We’ve made tremendous strides. I love this team with all my heart.”
WR Mario Craver with the quote of the day
“We have to finish. That needs to be our motto moving forward. We have to finish games.”
Mario Craver on being the leader of the WR room next season
“I’ll a level head no matter what’s going on. My teammates are going to be looking at me and how I react to every play. I’ll stay level headed and become a leader.”
Marcel Reed on his relationship with Collin Klein
“I don’t want this guy to leave, but I’m really happy for him. We always knew it was a dream for him to coach at his alma mater. Things change, that’s life. I love this guy to death. He’s done a lot for me.”
Marcel Reed on if targeting should have been called against RB Rueben Owens
“I thought so, but it’s not up to my discretion. In the game of football, things like that happen. It’s unfortunate but you just have to move on to the next play.”
Marcel Reed’s final thoughts on the 2025 Texas A&M football team
“This is probably the greatest team i’ve played on. I love playing with them. The locker room has memories i’ll have for the rest of my life. I really appreciate everyone on this team.”
Mario Craver on what he’ll remember from the 2025 season
“The brotherhood this team had. This team is a real family. They accepted me coming in from the transfer portal. It was an honor to play with all of them.”
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