Aggies Stay Perfect, Tigers Stumble in Front of Record Crowd
The Texas A&M Aggies delivered a statement win on Saturday, overpowering the Missouri Tigers 38-17 in Columbia and keeping their College Football Playoff dreams alive. With this victory, the Aggies improved to 9-0 (6-0 SEC), marking their best start since 1992 and solidifying their status as a national title contender under head coach Mike Elko.
Missouri, ranked No. 19 and riding a wave of momentum, saw its hopes dashed despite a record-setting 19th consecutive home sellout at Memorial Stadium. The Tigers dropped to 6-3 (2-3 SEC) as their offense sputtered against a relentless Aggie defense.
Texas A&M’s Balanced Attack Proves Too Much
Quarterback Marcel Reed was the star for Texas A&M, completing 20 of 29 passes for 221 yards and two touchdowns. Reed’s poise and accuracy kept the Aggies in control, while
Rueben Owens II powered the ground game with 102 rushing yards and two fourth-quarter touchdowns that put the game out of reach.
Wide receiver
KC Concepcion electrified the crowd with an 84-yard performance, including a 48-yard touchdown catch that broke the game open early in the second half. The Aggies’ offense was efficient and opportunistic, capitalizing on short fields and Missouri mistakes.
Missouri’s Ground Game Shines, But Passing Game Falters
Despite the loss, Missouri’s running backs put on a show.
Jamal Roberts (110 yards, 1 TD) and
Ahmad Hardy (109 yards, 1 TD) both eclipsed the century mark, with Hardy surpassing 1,000 rushing yards for the season. However, the Tigers’ passing attack struggled mightily. Freshman quarterback
Matt Zollers, pressed into action due to injuries, completed just 7 of 22 passes for 77 yards and was harassed all night by the Aggies’ front seven.
Aggie Defense Makes the Difference
Texas A&M’s defense was the difference-maker, holding Missouri to just 284 total yards and a mere 77 passing yards. Linebacker
Daymion Sanford and defensive end
Cashius Howell led a unit that forced two key turnovers and consistently pressured Zollers, making his first career start a nightmare.
Coach Mike Elko praised his team’s focus and execution:
“This is what everyone has been talking about. We believe the ceiling of this program is really high.”
Playoff Implications and What’s Next
With the win, Texas A&M remains firmly in the hunt for a College Football Playoff berth and is now 6-0 in SEC play for the first time since joining the conference. The Aggies’ path to a potential No. 1 seed is clearer than ever, but tough tests remain as the regular season winds down.
For Missouri, the loss is a setback, but the Tigers’ strong rushing attack and defensive grit suggest they’ll remain a tough out in the SEC. The record home crowd was a testament to the program’s resurgence under coach Eli Drinkwitz, even if the result wasn’t what fans hoped for.
Key Takeaways
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Texas A&M’s defense is championship-caliber, shutting down Missouri’s passing game and forcing turnovers at critical moments.
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Marcel Reed’s development at quarterback gives the Aggies a balanced, dangerous offense.
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Missouri’s run game remains elite, but quarterback injuries have limited their ceiling against top-tier opponents.
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Playoff stakes are rising: Texas A&M controls its destiny, while Missouri must regroup to finish strong in SEC play.
Sources
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2. CBS Sports - News, Live Scores, Schedules, Fantasy Games, Video ...
3. No. 3 Texas A&M Improves to 9-0 with 38-17 Win at No. 19 Missouri
4. Longest shutdown ever: How it's hitting families — and where to find ...
5. Texas A&M Aggies vs. Missouri Tigers Live Score and Stats - November 8, 2025 Gametracker
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7. Texas A&M vs Missouri Preview (Week 11 - 2025 Season)
8. BREAKING: Texas A&M SHOCKINGLY Is A Missouri Annual Opponent
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10. Missouri vs. Texas A&M - November 08, 2025 | Live Scores, Updates, Odds, Injury News and Recaps
11. No. 19 Missouri hosts No. 3 Texas A&M - WTOP News
