COLLEGE STATION – No. 8 Texas A&M claimed its first win of the 2026 campaign Saturday night, downing Missouri State, 50-0, in front of 107,782 fans at Kyle Field.
The Aggie defense secured its second shutout of the Mike Elko era and limited the Bears to 67 yards of total offense. Sophomore linebacker Noah Mikhail was the leading tackler for the Maroon & White with a career-high seven stops.
Graduate defensive end Ryan Henderson made an impact in his debut with Texas A&M, posting two tackles for loss, one sack and one forced fumble. Fifth-year defensive end Anto Saka and sophomore defensive tackle DJ Sanders each recovered a fumble for the Aggies.
Senior quarterback Marcel Reed paved the way for the offense, completing 21 passes on 30 attempts (70%) for 233 yards and two touchdowns. He added 20 yards on the ground on seven attempts.
Ten different players caught a pass for the Maroon & White, led by junior wide receiver Mario Craver, who reeled in five receptions for 41 yards and a touchdown. Fifth-year wide receiver Isaiah Horton tallied 76 yards on four receptions and charted his first touchdown as an Aggie.
Texas A&M posted 236 rushing yards as a unit, led by senior running back Rueben Owens II. The El Campo, Texas, native logged 77 yards on 17 attempts. Freshman Carsyn Baker, sophomore Jamarion Morrow and junior Terry Bussey each added a rushing score.
How it Happened
- The Aggies registered their first touchdown of the 2026 campaign when Reed connected with Horton on a 15-yard score through the air on the Maroon & White’s opening drive.
- Missouri State muffed a punt in the second quarter and illegally kicked the ball through the back of the end zone to chart a safety for Texas A&M.
- With 3:22 remaining in the first half, David Olano converted a 28-yard field goal attempt to extend the Aggies’ lead to 12-0.
- In the final minute of the second quarter, Craver hauled in a 12-yard reception to make it a 19-0 contest heading into the break.
- Bussey punched in a 10-yard rushing score in the third quarter to give the Maroon & White a 26-0 advantage.
- With 2:09 to go in the third quarter, Morrow found paydirt on a 2-yard rush.
- Texas A&M went ahead 40-0 in the fourth quarter when Baker punched in a 12-yard touchdown on his first collegiate rushing attempt.
- On the ensuing drive, Brady Hart connected with Aaron Gregory on a 15-yard score through the air.
- Freshman kicker Asher Murray converted his first career field goal with a 47-yarder in the fourth quarter, putting the Aggies ahead, 50-0.
Notes
- The Aggies held an opponent scoreless and under 100 yards of total offense for the second time under head coach Mike Elko.
- The defense held Missouri State to 67 yards of total offense; the lowest total allowed during Elko’s tenure as head coach.
- Texas A&M owns a 20-7 ledger in season openers since 2000.
- Craver has registered a receiving touchdown in three consecutive season openers.
- Texas A&M recorded its first safety since 12th Man Cullen Gillaspia blocked a punt to the back of the end zone against Alabama in 2017.
- Senior Marcel Reed completed 70% of his passes with at least 30 attempts for the second time in his career.
- Saturday’s attendance of 107,782 is the largest season-opening crowd in Kyle Field history and the ninth-most all-time, while marking the 12th consecutive game of 100,000-plus at Kyle Field.
- The Aggie defense limited Missouri State to 67 yards of total offense, the lowest total allowed under head coach Mike Elko. It's also the fewest yards allowed since 1978.
Up Next
Texas A&M returns to Kyle Field on Saturday, Sept. 12 to host Arizona State at 11 a.m. on ABC. The contest marks the second meeting all-time between the Aggies and Sun Devils.