Press Conference: Elko, Aggies preview SEC showdown with Arkansas

Week 5 brings with it a neutral-site showdown at AT&T Stadium as No. 24 Texas A&M faces the Arkansas Razorbacks in Arlington. On Monday afternoon, Mike Elko, Le'Veon Moss and Theo Melin Öhrström spoke to the media ahead of the Southwest Classic.

The following are live, paraphrased notes from the Monday afternoon media availability:

Mike Elko

• I want to start by saying congrats to coach G Guerrieri for win No. 500.
   
• From our perspective, the players of the game were Trey Zuhn III, Nic Scourton, Jahdae Walker, Shemar Turner and Randy Bond. He stepped up and made four field goals. 
   
• In every aspect of the game, we were very choppy. We scored on six of nine possessions. We played a horrendous third quarter. We gave up explosive plays. We got the run issues sorted, but other things keep popping up. Randy Bond had a great night. Tyler White has been awesome punting this season.
   
• It was one of those days. It wasn't all negative. As we turn to Arkansas, they are very similar to us. Everything they want is in front of them. Taylen Green can throw it around really well. They have an elite wide receiver corps. Arkansas always has dual-threat tight ends. They have an experienced offensive line. Defensively, they bring back both defensive tackles. Landon Jackson has played an awful lot of football. Secondary has a good mix of returning starts and transfers. The last year of playing the Southwest Classic at AT&T Stadium.
   
• It all boils down to consistency. That is coach speak to some degree. I don't think there is the same glaring issue every week. There are holes that show up. It’s the consistent focus to do what we are supposed to every snap. Some are expected with a new scheme and new staff, but that should be behind us.
   
• Moose Muhammad III has to be consistent. That is what we are looking for from him.
   
• Theo Melin Öhrström showed up at a camp, and I remember him catching my eye. He jumped out from an athleticism standpoint. Since he's been here, he's committed to working every day. He has continued to grow every week and every game. He has been a factor for us big time.
   
• Bobby Petrino has been an offensive coordinator for a long time. He was at Louisville when I was at Wake Forest. He has good plans for how they want to run the football. He is a really good play-caller. 
   
• Offensive line is a tough and physical position. We played in a lot of different groups together. TJ Shanahan is the biggest example. He is primarily a guard but got snaps at center. All of a sudden, he is starting at center against an SEC team.
   
• If you look at Marcel Reed’s stat line against Florida and Bowling Green, they are almost identical. There are some progressions and checks he is working through, but he has made tremendous strides. He is a young quarterback who gets better every snap under center.
   
• With Taylen Green, fans say, “You just spy the QB.” It is a little more complicated than that. You try to identify who is the guy paying attention to him if he pulls that ball down. As the play develops, who winds up as that spy? We had some prep on this with Notre Dame. They still present different challenges. 
   
• The environment plays a role. Kids play their best football when in that stadium. When two teams give their best, it creates entertaining football games. When I was here, I didn't find them entertaining. It was a little too close to my liking.
   
• The tape shows that Reed can do things what his feet. Teams will start scouting him as a dual-threat QB. The film is out there with who he is and what he is about.
   
• When a player has the ability to make explosive plays, it enhances your focus level. Regardless of down and distance, he can make an explosive play with his arm or feet. You cannot make a mistake. One mistake, and it’s seven points. 
   
• Conner Weigman will be a game-time decision. 
   
• Early downs got us off-schedule and behind the chains. It’s hard when you get off schedule inside the redzone. That is the consistency we are striving for. 
   
• Offensively, I think we've been more balanced. I don't have the numbers, but it feels that way.  Defensively, it feels lopsided. They run the same play in the first half, and we stop it. They run the same play in the second half, and the tight end is open. That was four explosive touchdowns in the first and last game. That is the result of a breakdown.
   
• Favorite memory at Arkansas? Every game was down to the wire. I remember they came back on us, and Donovan Wilson came down with a pick. It's been fun games up there, for sure. We’ll go up there and give them one more.