Elko Points to Steady Gains From Texas A&M Offensive Line

After falling to Kentucky, the Aggies coach says his rebuilt front five has shown growth in each of the season's first three games.

Texas A&M dropped a 31-21 decision to Kentucky in Week 3, a result that dealt a blow to a program with College Football Playoff ambitions entering 2026. Quarterback Marcel Reed turned in his roughest outing of the year, and defensive struggles compounded the problems for the Aggies.

Speaking with local reporters Monday in his first comments since Saturday, coach Mike Elko addressed how the overhauled offensive line has performed through three games. Against Kentucky, the unit surrendered 18 pressures but did not allow a sack, giving Reed time to work from the pocket.

The ground game also showed promise. Before A&M fell behind 28-7 in the second half, zone-blocking schemes opened lanes for Rueben Owens, freshman KJ Edwards and Carsyn Baker to pick up sizable chunks of yardage.

Asked about the group's trajectory, Elko acknowledged it is difficult to frame anything positively after a loss but said the line has made visible strides from the first week through the third. Next up is a road game at LSU, which A&M won 49-25 last season.

The Tigers' pass rush, headlined by Ole Miss transfer Princewill Umanmielen, will test the Aggies early. Building a consistent running game to set up play-action for Reed is viewed as central to A&M's chances of pulling the upset.