Mike Elko explains decision to bench Conner Weigman, insert Marcel Reed

When the Texas A&M offense was struggling against LSU, Mike Elko made the bold decision to bench Conner Weigman and put Marcel Reed into the game. The move instantly paid off on the first play when Reed took a run into the endzone. He added another before the third quarter ended, giving Texas A&M a four-point lead.

Reed is still out there to start the fourth quarter, likely getting the rest of the game. Elko explained the decision heading into the final frame, saying Texas A&M needed his dual-threat ability to give the LSU defense something else to think about.

In a game where Weigman struggled to get the pass game going, Reed brings a new dynamic. And the results are paying off in a big, big way for Elko.

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

This is not the usual benching of a quarterback. Reed has started multiple games for Texas A&M this season and is more than comfortable in the offense. Three wins against Florida, Bowling Green, and Arkansas helped put them in position to have such an important game vs. LSU on Saturday night.

Stepping onto the field, Reed has completed 54.4% of his throws for 585 yards and six touchdowns while rushing for another 226 yards and two scores. Success is there and against SEC opponents too.

There is still a whole quarter to be played but Reed is off to quite the start. If he can continue to play effectively, Texas A&M will have an opportunity to get a statement win early in the Elko era. And the head coach will certainly be praised for making a quarterback change if they pull through.