COLLEGE STATION, Texas (KBTX) – Texas A&M quarterback Marcel Reed will be available for the Aggies’ road bout against Notre Dame Saturday, head coach Mike Elko confirmed Monday at his weekly press conference.
“Before you guys ask, we’ll be fine injury-wise,” Elko said, continuing by saying Reed will be “fine” by name.
Reed left Saturday’s win over Utah State late in the third quarter after taking a hit while scrambling on a 2nd-and-4 play. He remained on the turf for several moments then remained down while trainers examined the sophomore.
After Reed made his way to the training tent on A&M’s sideline, wide receiver KC Concepcion waited patiently outside the tent awaiting word of his quarterback’s health. When a trainer exited, he raised a questioning thumbs up, which was reciprocated by the trainer. The wide out gave a fist pump before crossing himself and engaging in other conversations.
Elko said Reed was fine after Saturday’s game, a sentiment which was echoed by Reed’s father on social media.
Reed has demonstrated improved throwing in two games this season, ranking third in the country in points responsible for per game at 24. He’s thrown for seven touchdowns, which ranks seventh nationally, and rushed for 105 total yards and a touchdown.
According to Pro Football Focus, Reed has not thrown a turnover worthy pass this season and has tallied two big-time throws, which is a pass with excellent ball location and timing.
A&M offensive lineman Trey Zuhn III, who left Saturday’s game in the first quarter due to an injury to his leg, will also be available Saturday, Elko said.
All eyes on Irish running backs
The Aggies’ trip to South Bend will bring back several memories for Elko, who served as Notre Dame’s defensive coordinator in 2017.
One that has stayed with Elko was the Irish’s 20-19 loss to Georgia in the second week of the season, which featured the two-headed rushing attack of Bulldog running backs Sony Michel and Nick Chubb. The pair of backs were eventually drafted in the first and second round of the 2018 NFL Draft.
Saturday, A&M will face another rushing pair in Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price that Elko said is as good as any he’s faced.
“It’s as talented a duo as I’ve played against,” Elko said.
In the two seasons and a game Love has been in South Bend, he’s rushed for 1,543 yards and 18 touchdowns. Last season, his 6.9 rushing yards per attempt was 10th in the country. Price, in the same amount of time, has registered 1,063 yards and 10 rushing touchdowns.
Love finished last season as the seventh-best running back in the country by rushing grade, per Pro Football Focus, earning a 91.8. Price had the best breakaway percentage at 58.3%, which is a measure of the amount of rushes that gain more than 15 yards.
“Those two kids are really, really good,” Elko said. “Their athleticism for their size, the way they hit the hole, the power with which they run. They’re both effective pass catchers. These two kids are really, really talented football players.”
Last season, when Notre Dame beat A&M 23-13 to open the year, Love and Price rushed for 135 yards on 26 carries and a touchdown a piece.
Surprisingly, the duo was not featured prominently in the Irish’s narrow 27-24 loss to No. 10 Miami to open the season. Both Love and Price combined for 78 yards on 16 carries in the game.
Elko believes that won’t be the case against the Aggies this weekend.
“I’d imagine he’ll be a pretty big feature of what they’re going to do Saturday night,” he said.
Players of the week
A&M head coach Mike Elko revealed the team’s players of the week Monday for the win over Utah State.
Offensive lineman: Mark Nabou Jr.
“I thought that was his most complete game,” Elko said. “Played three different positions over the course of the game and really added a lot of toughness and firmness in there.”
Defensive lineman: TJ Searcy
“I thought he did a really, really good job in the run game, physically holding the point of attack, which was important for us,” Elko said.
Offense: QB Marcel Reed
“Again, another day where he had over 300 yards combined total offense, accounted for another four touchdowns, didn’t turn the football over,” Elko said. “So, we’re really happy with the way he played.”
Defense: DE Cashius Howell
“Three sacks in one game is really impressive,” Elko said. “Three sacks in one drive is even more impressive. Consecutive plays is even another level.”
Special teams: KR Terry Bussey
“Special teams player of the week was Terry Bussey for the job that he did returning kicks,” Elko said.
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