Texas A&M has quality depth at quarterback, but there's no controversy — for now. Redshirt freshman Marcel Reed stepped in for an injured Conner Weigman and more than lived up to the next-man up motto. Reed was spectacular in leading the Aggies to a 33-20 victory over Florida in Saturday's Southeastern Conference opener in helping the program end a 10-game road losing streak.
Reed accounted for 261 yards and three touchdowns. The dual threat rendered Florida's defense helpless. Florida came with blitzes early and often with the elusive Reed using that to his advantage.
He had runs of 10, 12, 12 and 31 yards. His mobility led to timely completions as four different receivers each had a catch of 20 or more yards, topped by Cyrus Allen's 73-yard touchdown. Running back Le'Veon Moss added runs of 27 and 22 runs as A&M's big-play off ense produced seven plays of at least 20 yards.
In the first two games A&M only had four plays of at least 20 yards, two via the run and two by the pass. The Aggies looked so good on off ense; you might ask yourself is Reed is more than the next man up? Could he be the man? Odds are he could be the starter for one or two more games. Weigman has an AC (arcromioclavicular) joint injury in his throwing shoulder that he suffered against Notre Dame in the opener.
He was healthy enough to play against McNeese, but suffered a setback in practice last week. Type I AC injuries involve a sprain or partial tear of AC ligaments with no injury to the coracoclavicular ligaments. This causes a tender AC joint that often has mild swelling.
Type I sprains usually heal within a few weeks. You'd think Weigman might miss this week's game against Bowling Green and possibly Arkansas on Sept. 28 at AT&T Stadium when the Aggies return to SEC play.
There's certainly no hurry to rush Weigman, especially after Reed's performance. And if he would repeat that effort against Bowling Green, things could get interesting. Maybe, they already are.
Coaches strive for consistent quarterback play, something Reed has supplied in a small sample. He was pressed into playing against Oklahoma State in the Texas Bowl last year when Jaylen Henderson was injured on the first play. Reed had an impressive game, accounting for 390 total yards with a touchdown run and an interception.
A&M lost the game, 31-23, but Reed certainly overcame adversity in playing a solid game against the 22nd-ranked Cowboys, gallantly leading a hodgepodge team going through a coaching change. Obviously, Saturday's effort was more impressive. He just didn't play well; he led the way.
Reed also provided leadership. Reed provided the big plays after A&M started the game shaky with two penalties following the first play. A&M also had to withstand a 47-minute lightning delay and even though it rained during the third quarter, the Aggies didn't have a turnover.
A&M had many contributors, but Reed topped the list. You'd like to think Weigman would have passed for 300 yards and had a field day against a bad Florida defense, but a huge factor is Weigman didn't play. A&M has lacked consistent quarterback play for three seasons because of injuries, whether it was Haynes King, Zach Calzada, Max Johnson or Weigman.
None of them have been able to excel for five or six straight games and take this team to the next level. Weigman's had bad luck. He played well as a starter for four games last season, then suffered a season-ending injury.
He was the man to start this season but laid an egg against Notre Dame. He bounced back against McNeese, but wasn't able to build on that against Florida. Reed has made his luck, showing how much he's improved since last December.
He got better as the Florida game progressed. Weigman certainly would have been able to run the ball against Florida, but Reed is a runner when he tucks the football, that's the difference. He makes plays with his feet and legs to mirror the NFL's Kyler Murray.
The one-time A&M quarterback gave the Los Angeles Rams fits Sunday in a 4110 victory. A&M coach Mike Elko and offensive coordinator Collin Klein are in an enviable position. They have quality depth at the team's most important position.
The key to moving forward is turning that luxury into an asset with quarterback play improving each week, which has been the case the last two weeks. Aggies are big favorites. A&M is a 22 1/2-point pick over Bowling Green with the over/ under 52 1/2 points.
Bowling Green (1-1) was idle last week after beating Fordham 41-17 at home and losing at eighth-ranked Penn State 34-27. Robert Cessna's email address is robert.cessna@theagle.
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