Mike Elko literally knocks on wood as Texas A&M continues unbelievable streak on defense after dominating Mississippi State

Aggies elite third down defense has them looking like College Football Playoff contender

Travis May — College Football Managing Editor
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Texas A&M Postgame Press Conference – Mississippi State game

The Mike Elko era of the Texas A&M Aggies seems to have finally arrived. When Elko came to town he was supposed to be a defensive-minded coach with a track record of overachieving. Last season it seemed the Aggies were quite the opposite as they lost four of their last five games, allowing 35 or more points in three of those contests.

Those days are long gone now.

This 2025 Aggies team burst into action with an impressive offense to start, scoring over 40 points in each of the first three weeks, but the defense was extremely inconsistent. However, since the bye week following the Notre Dame win, coach Elko has his defense looking completely unstoppable. When asked about that (and third down defense especially) Elko literally leaned over and knocked on the wood of his podium, hoping that the elite defensive play would continue. And indeed it looks like it just might.

Texas A&M’s unbelievable defense the last two games

  • Texas A&M has allowed just one third down conversion on 25 attempts over their last two games against Auburn and Mississippi State. Zero fourth down conversions.
  • The Aggies defense forced more turnovers against Mississippi State (2) than they allowed third down conversions (1) in the game Saturday.
  • The Aggies have averaged 198 yards of total offense allowed in the last two games against Auburn and Mississippi State. The best defense in the country (Oklahoma) is allowing 193 yards of offense per game.
  • Texas A&M is somehow giving up just 2.3 yards per carry to opposing offenses in the last two weeks as well. Elite.

Texas A&M Aggies unstoppable 3rd down defense against Mississippi State

The Aggies’ defense looked dominant against Auburn in Week 5, but they were completely unstoppable, nearly impenetrable, against Mississippi State except for a meaningless deep touchdown allowed late to quite seriously the fastest player in college football, wide receiver Brenen Thompson. In fact, outside of that 44-yard score to Thompson, the Aggies allowed just 175 yards of offense the rest of the game.

How did they do it? The shortest answer, is complete control of the line of scrimmage and havoc on third downs–allowing just one third down conversion on the game. Elite defensive end Cashius Howell racked up three more sacks, become the first Aggie to log multiple games with three sacks in the same season since Von Miller in 2009. Linebacker Taurean York was all over the place, racking up 10 total tackles. Daymion Sanford was even better at linebacker in just his second start tallying his fourth sack of the year and an interception. It was pure chaos, and Mississippi State didn’t have any answers.

The defense had been labeled bland, albeit disciplined, following the Notre Dame game where they gave up 40 points. However, as Mike Elko got his defense comfortable in year two he was always going to add more layers. That’s exactly what the Aggies have done over the last two weeks, and it looks like they might have one of the best units in the country now.

The Aggies now ranks top five in third down conversion rate allowed on the season–opponents are 1 for 25 in the last two games. They’re top 20 in pass and run success rate allowed, 20th in adjusted EPA per play against, and 16th in yards per play allowed. If this trend continues amid a tough SEC slate then Aggies fans are likely going to see their team playing into January.

We’ll be back with more Texas A&M Aggies coverage here at A to Z Sports soon! Follow me (@FF_TravisM) and A to Z Sports (@AtoZSportsNFL) on X for all the latest football news!

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