Moss Shines with Two Big TDs
Moss was a significant factor in this game, rushing for 65 yards on 17 carries. His most critical moment came late in the third quarter when he bulldozed his way to a 3-yard touchdown run, giving Texas A&M a 31-17 lead. This touchdown not only stretched the Aggies’ lead but also took the wind out of Mississippi State’s sails, making it increasingly difficult for the Bulldogs to stage a comeback. Moss’s performance highlighted his tenacity and ability to come through in clutch moments.
Weigman Returns from Injury, Makes His Presence Known
This game marked only the second return for Texas A&M quarterback Conner Weigman after dealing with a shoulder injury, and he didn’t disappoint. Weigman completed 15 of 25 passes, throwing for 217 yards and a touchdown. Despite two interceptions, he showed his resilience and leadership on the field. One of his standout moments came in the first quarter when he connected with Noah Thomas for a 20-yard touchdown pass. His chemistry with wide receiver Jabre Barber was also evident, as Barber snagged six catches for 92 yards. This duo kept the Aggies’ offense moving down the field, putting pressure on Mississippi State’s defense.
Elko: A Road Win in a Tough League
“This is a road win, and those don’t come easy in this league,” Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko said after the game. He wasn’t wrong. The Southeastern Conference (SEC) is known for being one of the toughest in college football, and going on the road to secure a victory isn’t something to take lightly. The Bulldogs may have put up a tough fight, but Elko was proud of his team for battling through adversity, keeping their composure, and getting the job done.
Mississippi State's Van Buren Shows Promise
On the other side of the ball, Mississippi State’s freshman quarterback, Michael Van Buren, put on a solid performance. The young QB threw for 242 yards and three touchdowns, a remarkable showing for an 18-year-old facing a highly-ranked opponent. But he wasn’t perfect—Van Buren also threw an interception, something Bulldogs coach Jeff Lebby acknowledged.
“I think he’s getting better and better,” said Lebby. “This is a young man that’s got a ton of ability, and he’s getting thrown into the fire as an 18-year-old. I’m incredibly proud of his process, but he’s got to keep improving.” Van Buren’s development will be something to watch as the season progresses, but for now, Mississippi State continues to struggle. The Bulldogs have dropped six straight games, and this was their third consecutive matchup against a top-15 team.
Texas A&M Dominates on Third Down
One of the most impressive aspects of the game was Texas A&M’s dominance on third downs. The Aggies converted 9 out of 14 third-down opportunities, an efficiency rate that kept their offense on the field and wore down Mississippi State’s defense. At one point, they hit on nine of their first 11 third downs, showing excellent poise and execution. In contrast, the Bulldogs struggled in this area, converting just 5 out of 16 third-down attempts.
Bulldogs coach Jeff Lebby pointed to this as a major factor in the game: “We had opportunities to get off the field and weren’t able to. We’ve got to continue to be better on third down. We’ve got to improve on both sides of the ball on third downs.”
Aggies' Defense Holds Strong
Another key to Texas A&M’s victory was its defense, particularly along the line of scrimmage. The Aggies controlled the line, finishing the game with three sacks and an impressive 11 tackles for loss. Their ability to pressure Van Buren and disrupt Mississippi State’s offense was a game-changer, especially as they limited the Bulldogs to only 353 total yards of offense, slightly fewer than the Aggies’ 367 yards.
Mississippi State's Fast Start
Despite the loss, Mississippi State had moments of promise, especially early on. The Bulldogs scored on their very first possession, driving 92 yards down the field in 12 plays. Van Buren capped off the drive with a clutch 14-yard touchdown pass to Davon Booth on fourth-and-three. It was an impressive start, showing that the Bulldogs could move the ball effectively when everything clicked.
But as the game progressed, the Aggies’ defense tightened, and Mississippi State found it harder and harder to sustain drives.
Texas A&M Takes Over in the Second Quarter
Texas A&M took control of the game in the second quarter. Le’Veon Moss punched in a 9-yard touchdown run, followed by a 6-yard touchdown run from Amari Daniels, giving the Aggies a 21-17 lead going into halftime. The Aggies never looked back after that, controlling the tempo and pace of the game.
Randy Bond Seals the Deal
In the fourth quarter, as Mississippi State tried to claw its way back into the game, Texas A&M kicker Randy Bond nailed a crucial 44-yard field goal. This gave the Aggies the cushion they needed, putting them up 34-24 and effectively sealing the win.
Big Picture
Texas A&M is on a roll, having now won six straight games since their early-season loss to Notre Dame. Quarterback Conner Weigman is back, and although he’s still shaking off some rust, his connection with players like Jabre Barber and Noah Thomas is promising. The Aggies are looking like a serious contender in the SEC.
As for Mississippi State, while the record doesn’t look pretty at 1-6, there are signs of improvement under coach Jeff Lebby. The Bulldogs are facing a tough schedule, and with some more manageable games coming up, they have a chance to turn things around and close the season on a high note.
Up Next
The Aggies will face a tough challenge next Saturday as they host LSU, another powerhouse in the SEC. It’ll be a high-stakes matchup as Texas A&M looks to keep their winning streak alive.
Meanwhile, Mississippi State will try to snap its losing streak when it hosts Arkansas next Saturday. It’s a must-win game for the Bulldogs if they hope to salvage what’s left of their season.
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