Texas A&M HC Mike Elko offers injury update on running back Le'Veon Moss and can't help but hype up Rueben Owens

The Texas A&M Aggies are proving they're a legitimate College Football Playoff contender following yet another SEC win over Mississippi State, bringing their record to 4-0. It doesn't matter who shows up as the breakout player of the week, Mike Elko's entire team just finds a way to step up individually and as a unit right when they need it most.

For much of the season it's been quarterback Marcel Reed and his star wide receiver duo of Mario Craver and KC Concepcion stepping up. Other games it's been defensive end Cashius Howell (who again logged three sacks against Mississippi State) or running back Le'Veon Moss. Saturday it was finally the Rueben Owens show at running back, something Aggies fans have been waiting to see for a long time as he racked up 161 yards from scrimmage against Mississippi State.

Key Stats for Rueben Owens in huge game for Texas A&M

• Rueben Owens logged four explosive plays for Texas A&M of over 15 yards. One reception for 19 yards. Then carries of 17, 17, and 37 yards.
• Owens logged just two "stuffed" plays where he gained zero or negative yardage on his 22 touches
• Owens logged nearly three yards after contact per carry throughout the Mississippi State game

Le'Veon Moss injured, but Rueben Owens posted huge breakout game

Le'Veon Moss has unsurprisingly been the go-to running back for the Aggies this season. He's posted 336 rushing yards and five scores now through five games for Texas A&M this season, and should still likely be the lead back moving forward. However, after he left the Mississippi State game for a bit Rueben Owens took advantage, posting the best game of his entire career for Texas A&M.

Owens, the former five star running back recruit who just hasn't been able to catch a break with injury luck throughout his time with Texas A&M prior to this season finally put up the breakout game everyone knew he was always capable of doing. It came at a slight cost, since his backfield mate Moss got dinged up, but head coach Mike Elko made it sound like he should be okay:

"Yeah, [Le'Veon Moss] got dinged up a little bit. He was battling through some things. He should be fine coming out of it, but we wanted to make sure he was okay. Then Rueben [Owens] was playing so well that it kind of made it an easy decision to just stick with him, ride him tonight."

Any time a lead running back gets hurt on an offense that loves to win with their ground game things can go off the rails rather quickly, but that didn't happen with A&M. Yes, the offense as a whole started slow, but once Owens found his groove it was over.

Owens was just a big-play machine down the stretch in the Mississippi State win. Four huge plays of 17 yards or more made it impossible for the Bulldogs to mount any real attempt at a comeback.