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Texas A&M Coach Mike Elko Explains Decision to Bench Conner Weigman for Marcel Reed

The Texas A&M Aggies benched Conner Weigman for Marcel Reed in the second half against the LSU Tigers.
Zach Dimmitt|
Oct 26, 2024; College Station, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies quarterback Conner Weigman (15) looks to pass the ball during the first quarter against the LSU Tigers at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images.
Oct 26, 2024; College Station, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies quarterback Conner Weigman (15) looks to pass the ball during the first quarter against the LSU Tigers at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images. | Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images

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Texas A&M Aggies head coach Mike Elko met with ESPN's Holly Rowe ahead of the fourth quarter in Saturday's game against the LSU Tigers in College Station. He explained the decision to bench quarterback Conner Weigman in favor of Marcel Reed.

"We needed the running threat back there with the way they were playing us," Elko said. "We're having a hard time in the pass game and Marcel's dual-threat ability is what we needed right now."

It became clear quickly that Elko's decision was the right one.

After entering for Weigman with 8:10 to play in the third quarter with Texas A&M trailing 17-7, Reed led the Aggies to three straight scoring drives -- all of which ended with him finding the end zone on a rushing touchdown. Reed's entrance had suddenly resulted in 21 unanswered points for the Aggies, who led 28-17 with 14 minutes left in the game.

Upon exiting, Weigman was 6 of 18 passing for 64 yards, no touchdowns and no picks.

Reed led the Aggies to three straight wins while taking the place of Weigman, who missed three games due to a shoulder injury. This season, he's 43 of 79 passing for 585 yards, six touchdowns and no picks. He's also added 43 carries for 226 yards and two scores. Weigman took the starting job back ahead of the Missouri game, a contest the Aggies easily won 41-10.

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Zach Dimmitt
ZACH DIMMITT

Zach Dimmitt is the Deputy Editor for Texas Longhorns On SI and Texas A&M Aggies On SI. He also contributes as a writer for the On SI channels of the Oregon Ducks, Baltimore Ravens and Tennessee Titans. He was previously the editor-in-chief of Buffalo Bills on SI, Philadelphia Eagles on SI and Seattle Seahawks on SI. Born and raised in San Antonio, Texas, Dimmitt received his Bachelor’s Degree in journalism at the University of Texas at Austin in 2022. He originally started with SI’s Fan Nation network in 2021, providing extensive coverage of the NFL and NBA along with college football and basketball. In that time, Dimmitt has published thousands of stories and has reached millions of people across multiple fan bases. You can follow him on X at @ZachDimmitt7

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