“I Don’t Know Why We Snapped the Ball”: Elko on Fourth-Down Blunder

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Following Texas A&M's 31-20 loss to Alabama on Saturday, Aggies head coach Mike Elko addressed his team's costly mistakes, including a botched fourth-down snap that he revealed was never supposed to happen.

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Elko was asked about the decision to go for it on fourth-and-one at the 1:38 mark in the third quarter with the Aggies holding a 20-17 lead. The play resulted in a botched snap from third-year starter Mark Nabou Jr. to Reed, leading to a turnover on downs. The Crimson Tide took over at the Aggies’ 45-yard line and scored a 5-yard touchdown pass to Marshall Pritchett four plays later.

Elko explained that Texas A&M never intended to snap the ball on the fourth-down play. 

“We weren't, we didn't call a play. I don't know why we snapped the ball,” Elko added, “we were trying to draw them offsides, and the center just snapped the ball.”

Elko highlighted early interceptions by Aggies quarterback Marcel Reed, who threw picks on his first two passing attempts, both coming on Texas A&M’s opening drives. Dijon Lee Jr. returned the first interception 39 yards for a touchdown, putting Alabama up 7-0 with 11:24 remaining in the first quarter. After the second interception, the Aggies caught a break when Alabama kicker Conor Talty missed a 36-yard field goal.

Elko also praised Reed and the offense for rebounding after the two interceptions. The Aggies finished the first half with 17 points and 174 total yards, including 65 rushing yards. Reed completed the half with 109 passing yards, a passing touchdown, and a four-yard rushing touchdown.

The second half told a different story. The Aggies managed only 104 total yards, with Reed passing for just 54 yards. Alabama scored 14 unanswered points, and Texas A&M was unable to respond.

“Yeah, I think the story on offense obviously is the start. The two turnovers leading directly to seven points. Put it together for a little while after that and then just really couldn’t get anything going in the second half and then got to a point again where we were down and trying to chase a game and we’re not built to do that, and that's on me as a coach. We're just not where we need to be at all in that regard,” Elko said.

Elko also addressed the defense’s struggles in the secondary, as Texas A&M surrendered 311 passing yards. Alabama quarterback Keelon Russell completed 19 of 30 passes for three touchdowns, two in the second half, and one interception.

He pointed to explosive plays as a major factor in the loss. Alabama finished with 11 explosive plays, eight through the air, including five of 25 yards or more.

“Defensively, just extremely poor play in the secondary, extremely poor eye discipline, extremely poor… all of it. Too many explosive plays, too many uncontested explosive plays, and so that was the story of the game,” Elko told reporters following the loss. 

Elko was asked about freshman running back KJ Edwards, who had an impressive first quarter with five carries for 36 yards. He played a crucial role in the Aggies’ first touchdown drive, gaining 27 of his 36 first-quarter yards on a nine-yard run and an 18-yard burst.

Edwards’ role diminished in the second quarter and the second half, as he managed only three more carries for seven yards the rest of the game. Elko revealed that Edwards was banged up at the end of the first half with a leg contusion.

“Yeah, he got banged up, so he got leg whipped, and so he was trying to fight through it. We got him back a little bit in the second half, but he had a deep contusion that we were trying to work out and just couldn't get it worked out.”

“Obviously he’s our back, and we went with him, and he was running really well, and at some point, I think it was end of the first half if I remember right, he got legged whip on a run and he just couldn't get it loose,” Elko said of Edwards' smaller role in the second half.

Alabama junior wide receiver Rico Scott had a career day, catching six passes for 156 receiving yards. Elko was asked about Scott’s performance and his impact in Alabama’s win.

“Yeah, you know, it's hard to say because he’s an elite receiver; he’s phenomenal. You know, for us to let him get as loose as he did and have so many uncontested yards is very disappointing,” Elko said. 

Texas A&M will have a bye next weekend before traveling to Columbia on Saturday, Nov. 7, to face the red-hot South Carolina Gamecocks, who just upset No. 11 Tennessee.

Micah Nichols covers Alabama baseball, football, and basketball for Tide 100.9. Follow @MicahNichols0 on X for in-game updates, highlights, and more Crimson Tide coverage.