Tobias Ten from Texas (2024)

This weekend, I traveled “Deep in the Heart of Texas” to photograph Missouri’s game at Texas A&M. I didn’t expect the final result to happen, and frankly, neither did any of the Aggie fans I spoke to. Nevertheless, I had a great time in the Lone Star State, and I enjoyed making all of these pictures.

Brady Bobble

It was clear early that something was wrong with the Tiger offense, from when a Luther Burden III touchdown was called back from a penalty (which I got great pictures of, but it doesn’t matter) to this bobbled snap, which became an incompletion. Brady Cook was 13-for-31 with 186 yards and one touchdown.
2. Way outside!

A consistent issue for this Tiger team has been inconsistency on the long ball, with the team being unable to complete those big plays which powered their wins last year over so many great opponents. Here, Theo Wease watches a pass sail way over his head.

3. Roar of the Aggies

I am certain that there is nothing I’ve ever heard in my life as loud as the Texas A&M fans were on Saturday. After that first drive was called back, they all yelled so loudly I couldn’t even think about taking pictures. 97,000 strong— fewer than normal because of their students’ “fall break”— made the stadium shake. It’s not hard to see why it’s rated as one of the toughest places to play.

4. Down at the 5

One of the more interesting turns of events during the game was a sequence just before the end. Missouri finally drove all the way down the field and was hoping to at least get seven more points on the board before the end. However, given seven (!!!) chances inside the five-yard line, none of them scored. Here, in their second attempt, Marcus Carroll was stopped by two Aggie defenders. They eventually settled for a field goal.

5. “Don’t let us get one”

After Theo Wease’s touchdown in the third quarter, I spotted Mizzou defensive end Zion Young telling players, “That’s one!” He was encouraging as he spread the idea that it could be the beginning of a comeback. However, the state of the game stayed the same after the score and Mizzou only mustered a field goal by the end of the game.

6. Burden of Defeat

As the end result of the game became apparent, the players began to show it on their faces. This was especially apparent with Luther Burden III, who looked as displeased with the final result as anyone.

7. Wide receiver wizardry

Despite the loss, Mizzou wideout Luther Burden III had a great game, hauling in 7 catches for 82 yards (it would have been more and a TD if not for an early penalty.)

Here, he gets a great leaping grab over TAMU’s BJ Mayes in the third quarter.

8. Who’s on the phone?

In the third quarter, Brady Cook picked up the phone on the sideline to call someone. (It could have been anybody. In the Super Bowl, the 49ers’ Joe Montana found out that the sideline phone had an outside line and called his wife.)

As he was calling, the Aggie fans started yelling at him, “It’s 24 to 0!!” But Cook, the class of the league, just responded with a charming smile, seen here.

9. Pep Talk

Around the end of the game, I saw Missouri’s Eddie Kelly pacing around the sideline. Whatever he was feeling, I saw him find his D-line coach, Brian Early, who appeared to be giving him a great pep talk about the game. He looked as if he was calming Kelly and helping him. Early, in his first year, appears to be making a positive impact.

10. Coach & QB Alike

After the game ended, I went to go find Eli Drinkwitz and found him here hugging with Texas A&M’s Conner Weigman, who played an excellent game (18-22, 276yds.) Of note is the fact that Drinkwitz had said he did not expect to face Weigman, instead preparing for TAMU’s previous signal-caller, Marcel Reed. Overall, Weigman lit up the Tiger defense and completed 82% of passes.