The 12th Man and Kyle Field have propelled Texas A&M football to its No. 10 ranking this season.
“Everything that they do for our program, I want them to understand how much we appreciate it, and we appreciate their support,” coach Mike Elko said during Monday’s press conference. “We appreciate how they’re there for us through thick and thin, no matter what.”
At 6:30 p.m. Saturday, the Aggies will march into Williams-Brice Stadium and try to beat the South Carolina Gamecocks without a home-field advantage in their third away game this season.
The two squads first met in 2014 and have since come to know each other well. The Aggies have taken home the Bonham Trophy — modeled after James Bonham, a South Carolina alumnus and Alamo hero — nine times in the 10 meetings and will look to make it 10 times on Saturday. Heading into the contest, A&M is rolling. It has trudged its way to a 5-0 conference record for the first time since 1998 during its journey to a 7-1 mark in the Big 12.
The Aggies have no intention of slowing down, Elko said.
“I think [the players] are locked in and focused on what we’re capable of,” Elko said. “I think what we’re capable of has got to be the next step, growth, development. If we finished 5-3 in the SEC, I don’t think anyone in our locker room would be real happy with that.”
The Gamecocks have found themselves with a 2-3 conference record on their way to a 4-3 start to the season. The Aggies have yet to lose on the road, and South Carolina has lost as many as it has won at home this season. The last time the Maroon and White ventured to Columbia, South Carolina in 2022, the Gamecocks came out on top, 30-24.
This year’s South Carolina squad has two close losses to very good programs. The Gamecocks lost to No. 16 LSU on a missed field goal as time expired in Week 3. In Week 7, South Carolina took No. 7 Alabama to the brink before Gamecock freshman quarterback LaNorris Sellers threw an interception, sealing it for the Crimson Tide. South Carolina has played up to its opponents this year —expect Saturday to be no different.
“I think this will be the biggest challenge of the year to date,” Elko said. “This is going to be an extremely talented team, 4-3, coming off of a bye week. Certainly could be 6-1, easily.”
Both Elko and Gamecock coach Shane Beamer have emphasized physicality when building their programs. The Aggies have established themselves as one of the best defenses in the land under Elko, and A&M is among the top of the SEC in interceptions, first downs allowed and rushing defense.
Sellers has been serviceable for the Gamecocks’ offense against Top 25 opponents, throwing for 513 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions. A&M is among the best in rushing offense, led by junior running back Le’Veon Moss. Moss has 757 rushing yards, 10 rushing touchdowns and is averaging 6.4 yards per carry in 2024, among the best in the SEC.
“The [Aggies’] offensive line is really impressive,” Beamer said Tuesday. “When you talk about physicality, it starts with that running back, and he is a downhill back.”
The Gamecocks will bring a strong defensive front to the table to try and neutralize Moss.
“In the games that they’ve been really successful, the defense has taken the game over in so many ways,” Elko said. “I think it’s by far the best group that we’ve played to date.”
The Aggies and Gamecocks will have their work cut out for them on Saturday. In the SEC, it does not matter what a team’s record is — but rather which team shows up to play that day. Both coaches said they like their guys in the defensive battle.
“If you love tough, gritty, physical football games, this is the one for you,” Beamer said. “If you don’t, then this ain’t the place for you on Saturday night.”
