Mike Elko offers blunt assessment of run defense through 2 weeks: 'It's been terrible'
Mike Elko isn’t mincing words: Texas A&M’s run defense has been terrible through 2 games this season.
The numbers back up that notion. Notre Dame rushed for 198 yards against the Aggies front line, and although the final score was lopsided, McNeese ran for 180 yards. That’s an average of 189 rushing yards per game. For reference, McNeese rushed for 66 yards the week before against Southern.
Here’s Elko’s full quote.
Mike Elko on A&M’s run defense: “It has been terrible, to be honest.”
“Giving up 185 yards per game on the ground is certainly not where we want to be.”
— TexAgs (@TexAgs) September 9, 2024
The going is not going to get easier for Texas A&M this weekend. Florida has run the ball very well this season, totaling 139 yards against Miami and 166 against Samford. Montrell Johnson is one of the better running backs in the SEC, and if DJ Lagway is playing he offers a running threat from under center, too.
Run defense was never going to be Texas A&M’s strength this season. The Aggies lost Walter Nolen from the middle of their defense and they play a lot of two-high sets to take away the big play. This is not exactly a surprise, but it is absolutely a concern for Elko in Year 1.
The Aggies and Gators face off this Saturday in Gainesville at 3:30 p.m. on ABC.
The main issue has been the defensive line not setting their left edge and containing. The edge’s have been crashing inside, giving up long gains. More discipline here and the defense should be fine. Coaching should correct the problem.
Lagway will be a challenge.
That sounds like weakness against weakness, since the right side of the Gators’ OL has been a bad joke so far this season.
Lagway will be a challenge… if Napier lets him play while the game’s in doubt.